January 29, 2026 - Snowshoe Badger Pass

 

Title: January 29, 2026 - Snowshoe Badger Pass

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type:  Snowshoeing

Trail head: Badger Pass Parking Lot

Trail: Glacier Point Road, Summit Meadow Trail, Old Glacier Point Road, 

Destination:  Loop and possibly Tempo Dome

Actual Destination:  Ridge where Tempo Dome is

Distance:  3.94 miles 

Start Time: 10:52

End Time:     3:07

Travel Time:  4:15  (0.93 mph)

Moving Time: 3:01   (1.31 mph)

Elevation Rise:  692'

Descent: 719‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,653'

Minimum Elevation: 7,250'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri cannot come today-she has an appointment. But Steven and Rachel can. We decided that it looks like we can go to Badger Pass today. It does not look like we will have fog in Fresno, even though in the morning, it looked like the temperature is 20 degrees up at Badger Pass. But by 10 it will be at least 40, at least that is the forecast.

We planned to leave at 8 so we could get a full day up at Badger Pass. Rachel got hung up, so I started driving about 8:40, but with all three of us. When we got to the Yosemite entry station, Rachel had her first opportunity to use her digital Park pass. It worked! The road is dry and there is no concern with there being ice on the road. We did stop at Chinquipin before going up the Glacier Point Road. We get to the parking area, parking close to where we will start off.

Our snowshoes touch the snow about 11. But we do not get too far before we get in conversation with a couple of young ladies who are on cross-country skis for the first time. At least they are upright. Their friend gets up and then falls, repeating that a couple of more times. It turns out they are part of a group.When the group comes along, we leave.

One of the things which I want to do is to see if I can identify why I get shortness of breath when going uphill. I have brought along an Pulse-Ox meter to measure both the oxygen saturation levels and my heart beats. We are at 7,200’, so that is also a factor. About the time we are at Summit Meadow, I am at 90%, a bit low, but reasonable. By the time we hit lunch time, it is up to 94%. That is a bit unusual since between Summit Meadow and the trail back to the parking area is the steepest part.

Rachel with Mt Clark

To go back to the start, once we leave those who are going to learn to cross-country ski, we start up the snow-covered Glacier Point Road. The slope up is gentle and in places we can look north across the Merced-but not into Yosemite Valley. Once we reach the top, it is a short descent to Summit Meadow. There had been a couple options which we rejected. There are a couple routes to Dewey Point-the site of my debacle last Spring. We would not have made it there, but Sherri and I have gone a ways on them and found routes back. Then there is continuing on down the Road, but that means a long uphill return. We decided to go south out of Summit Meadow up to a return route to the parking lot.

When we get to the trail, we found a log to sit on and have lunch. One of the good things about being outdoors and doing things with people whom you like, is that you get to talk with them. And by talking I mean more than just “how are you doing” type conversation. Rachel was talking about some training she is doing with yoga. Part of it is recognizing and responding to trauma. This brought up a conversation about trauma, the type and causes of trauma and how you could respond to it. It is good to be able to talk with both Steven and Rachel as adults.

After lunch we take the trail starting towards the parking lot. In about a quarter mile, we come to a junction with what looks like a service trail to the top of Tempo Dome. I think this is also part of the Old Glacier Point Road. Also at this junction is the true Badger Pass.

Cloud's Rest and Half Dome

We debated for a minute about what we should do. All of us felt like we wanted to do more. So we followed the road which goes up the ridge. But first, it goes on a small, gentle descent. Along the way, we noticed places where the snow had settled, leaving large cracks where snow sank. We take a little detour around these.

The road curves to the south before heading up the ridge. That climb is pretty steep-later looking at the stats, the slope was at a maximum of 13%. I definitely am huffing and puffing and stopping on the way up. Rachel is trying to pace us by keeping her heart beat within an aerobic area. Somehow that pace just does not suit me-even though it would have been better for me. My O₂ saturation is still OK at 91%, but the heart rate is in the upper 140’s.

When we reach the top, we turn around and see across the Clark Range. There we play the game of trying to identify peaks. The one just to the east, I say is Mt Starr King, but Steven and Rachel think it is Clark Peak. I suspect they are right and may King be behind some trees. Just looking over all of this would be breathtaking except the climb up already took my breath.

We spent about 15-20 minutes at the top of the ridge-there was still more up if we wanted to. After all Tempo Dome is another 200’ above us and about a quarter mile to the south. But, we have enjoyed this outing and rather than getting too tired out, we decide to head back down the ridge. Nobody is wild about taking off directly to Badge Pass, so we fall the same track as what we came up on. From Badge Pass down to the parking area, it is about a mile and almost all downhill. I am glad as the last 10 minutes or so, my legs were starting to feel the day. That indicates this has been a good one. We reach the car at 3:00pm and Rachel drives us out at 3:15. Just for the record, my O₂ level is now 94 and the heart rate is 110-getting better. We decided to do Mexican food in Oakhurst. Rather than El Cid, we go to Los 2 Carnales. The helpings there is satisfying and we arrive back in Fresno tired, but content.

Extra Photo's

Shadow Snoeshoers

Gary, Steven, Rachel

Half Dome and Cloud's Rest

Father and Daughter confering

Steven and Rachel going up the Summit Meadow Trail

January 26, 2022 - Snowshoe at Badger Pass

Title: January 26, 2022 - Snowshoe at Badger Pass
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing 

Trail head: Badger Pass Ski Parking Lot

Trail:  Glacier Point Road, Dewey Point Trail

Destination: As far as time allows

Actual Destination: End of Dewey Point Meadow

Distance:  3.62 miles

Start Time:  12:40

End Time:     3:46

Travel Time:  3:05 (1.17 mph)

Moving Time:  2:09  (1.68 mph)

Elevation Rise:  350'

Descent: 350‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,388'

GPS Tracks

Groomed Glacier Point Road

Description:

This will probably be our last snowshoe before going to Hawaii next week. I got up at 7:15 and then lollygagged around, even after Sherri got up. So our 9am start time is shot and we leave our home at 10:15 with Sherri driving. We are heading north to Yosemite. If we do not find anyplace decent, we will continue on to Badger Pass where we know there will be snow.

At Wawona the snow looks patchy and not very fun. Even around Yosemite West we see spots which are bare, so I guess we are going up to Badger Pass. But with a quick stop at the Chinquapin portables. By the time we get up to Badger Pass it is 12:15. We decided to have lunch before taking off. It is closer to 12:45 when our snowshoes hit the snow.

We do not have a set plan, but the first thing to do is walk down the

Sherri Navigating a downslope

Glacier Point Road. It is a groomed trail for cross-country skiers with side areas for walkers and snowshoers. It goes all the way to Glacier Point, about eleven miles away. There is no way we can make it that far. Another couple starts off a few minutes before us. We then observe them setting aside one of their pairs of snowshoes. Wondering why.

But that wondering is short lived, when we get to the top of the grade, there is a trail to Dewey Point rated as a black diamond ski trail. We are contemplating walking up that like we enjoyed last year.. About the time we decided that we were not that ambitious, the couple came back down. They explain that a strap broke. We got into a bit of a discussion about different places to hike and snowshoe. Enjoyable. They are from San Jose but are staying at the Redwoods in Wawona. After fifteen minutes, his wife is ready to go back to the car, so the discussion ends.

Path through Dewey Point Meadow

We decided not to go down this trail. Instead we go down to Summit Meadow. There is an outhouse there which we take advantage of. A short few steps we need to make a decision: to go on a loop over to the Old Glacier Point Road and back to the parking lot, continue to go down the road or to take the easier Dewey Point Trail. But before we do, we spot a snowmobile coming towards us. This is unusual since snowmobiles are not allowed in most cases. So I hypothesis that the lady on the back has had some sort of an incident making her return not feasible. We watch them go by.

Gary taking a breather

By this time a lone cross-country skier comes by. We discuss the snowmobile. Then just about things in general. He leaves and a woman comes on snowshoes from the direction of the Old Glacier Point Road. We talked a bit and discover she is from Santa Cruz and it was her first time snowshoeing. Kudos to her. We also talk about what each way holds in store for her. She decides to continue on down the Glacier Point Road.

 

Frozen area

 

 

 

We decided to head towards Dewey Point, even though we know we have no chance of making even the majority of the way there. It has been decades since we have been down this trail, so we just want to refresh our memories of it. Just a couple of minutes down the trail, a couple of cross-country skiers are coming back. They reported it was a beautiful trip-it is a beautiful day. We chat for a couple of minutes and they move on and so do we.

Sherri and Gary

 

The trail is hard packed, but not slippery. Also, the trail is a very gentle grade descending into a meadow I had not realized was there: Dewey Point Meadow. There are several paths through the meadow. When we reach the northern end of the meadow, it is a little after 2:30. This is my turn around time. We take a picture of an iced over creek and turn around.

Return trip

The trail back is pretty much a reverse of the way we came. For some reason, even though we are ascending, we are going at a pretty good rate. When we get to Summit Meadow, we take advantage of the facilities. Then it is time to scoot on up over the hump before the long downhill to the car. To me, this always feels like it goes on forever. Still I would rather be going down than up. The last little big Sherri and I discuss why we cannot see this turn in the Summer? It is not for the lack of looking.

We got back to the car at 3:45. By the time we put away everything, it is after 4. Now for the two hour drive home. We have told Steven to surprise us with dinner. He got us pizza. Just what my body needed.

January 13, 2021 - Badger Pass Snowshoeing

 

Title: January 13, 2021 - Badger Pass Snowshoeing
Hike Info : Description :   Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Badger Pass Ski Parking

Hike Info:

Type:  Snowshoeing

Trail: Old Glacier Point Road ¹

Destination: Ridge above Badger Pass

Distance:   2.1 miles ²

Travel Time:  2:46  (0.8 mph)

Elevation Rise:  484'
Descent:  484'

Maximum Elevation: 7,545'

 

 

 

GPS Tracks
 ¹Once I laid down the GPS track onto both Garmin’s Base Camp and Google’s Earth, I saw that we did not go up the Old Glacier Point Road. It is a bit more to the north. But the hill looks steeper to get to where we had lunch. I was wondering where the steep hill we had to climb up to get to the top of the ridge was.

   ²The GPS went a bit funky. It changed its internal readings to being fine, so many more points than could be kept was recorded and cannot be shown. Also the GPS did not record the elevation. Elevation came from Google Earth. The first part of the map is a drawed-in route.

 

 

 

 

 

Bruin Slope past First Aid hut

Description:

This trip started off for four people. But or two friends could not make it. So Sherri and I went up to Yosemite, Badger Pass particularly. The day is bright and shiny. I start it off the day by taking Korra for a walk around the park in Fresno-she will not be able to come with us because of it being a National Park.

We have breakfast and leave Fresno around 9:15. Sherri drives and we listen to a Paul Swearengin podcast on the way up. Once inside the park, we change drivers and I drive the rest of the way to Badger Pass. When we get onto the Glacier Point Road, I see a dirty grey cloud, rising from the forest, a long ways away to the northwest. I think it is a fire, but way out of range for us to report anything. Still wish I got a picture.

Looking down the slope we came up

There is a concern as we start up the Glacier Point Road-where is the snow? As we travel along, we start seeing more, but it is really patchy. It is only when we get close Badger Pass does the snow seem at least it is covering the ground. But my guess is about a foot to a foot and a half. Really sparse.

We get parked and get our gear together. By the time we start it is 20 minutes to twelve. Today we will go up the Old Glacier Point Road. But to the West, not East like we normally do. Since the ski lifts are not running this year due to COVID restrictions, we do not need to worry about skiers.

A couple goes up the slope a little ways . But we put them behind us. We follow a snowmobile track. It is not rutty like a lot of tracks are, pretty smooth and it has made the snow firm for us. We stop every once in a while to catch our breath. When I look at the resort map, I think this is the Bruin run. It says it is easy. For us, there is a lot of huffing and puffing. When we approach the top, it is just pretty steep. But we find our way up.

Mount Hoffman

When we turn around, a spectacular scene awaits us. The Clark Range with Mt Starr King is there front and center. Through the trees is Mt Hoffman and Mt Conness. Clouds Rest is just above Horizon Ridge.. Peak Finder says that Half Dome and Sentinel Dome can be seen, but I think the trees on the far ridge block our view. Such a good view. And then we found a dry patch under a tree in the sun for lunch. Score! After lunch, I lay down and enjoy a few minutes with my eyes closed.

 I could have laid there for a long while. The sun was warming my body-Sherri was concerned about burning, I was not even roasting. I got up and walked around while Sherri got ready to go. We decided that we have enough energy to continue on for a time across the top of the ridge. Besides, this delays our needing to go back down.

Gary on the ridge top

The ridge is a bit rolling-not a steep roll, just enough to let you know you are going up or down. We catch glimpses of the Clark Range. But mostly it is nice just going through the trees. Skiers have been along here, but not recently. We follow an even older snowshoe track.

We shortly come to the top of another ski life and the Badger run. The tracks go on and we still have energy, so we keep on going. More of the same. Just plain old enjoyable walking along the top of this ridge. There is another run which is below us, we only know about it because there is an equipment stash.

We finally come out about two-thirds of the way up the Red Fox run-the longest run of the area. It is turn around time. But rather than turn around, we check with each other if we are game to go down the run-Yes. About that time two cross country skiers came along. We wave and they wave and then go straight up the path of the ski life. We are in awe as they do not break stride or stop to breath going up this thing. A thing of beauty.

 

Ski lifts going to the top at Tempo Dome

And now we are on our way down. Nobody on the slopes, nor will there be this year, except for a few people who skin their way up to slide down. So we cut across the Red Fox run, following what turns out to be a service road. Pretty easy descending across the run to the trees across the way. At the Eagle run, we zig back across and down until we hit the flat area of the bowl.

You know those two guys we said looked so good going down? Well we met them when they finished their run. They are Tom and Art, who live in Yosemite West. Enjoyable talking with them. Tom does sort of a BnB. This sounds interestings. He says that his place can be found at YosemiteHouse.com. Also Art rents out his as well. We will have to figure out a reason to do this. We are thinking when there is snow up in Yosemite, it will save us a drive when the days are short.

 

Gary going back to the car

They return for another run down the slope. We go on to the road and get our gear off. Then it is to the car. That couple which we saw when we were going up the slope? They are lounging in the back of their vehicle. We have a few pleasant words.

We take off-it is about 3:15. By the time we hit Oakhurst, it is 4:30. So we stop at Carl’s place for a burger. Then it is back to Fresno. One more stop at Costco for gas and we get home at 5:56. Just in time to unpack and take ashower before meeting up with our family on Zoom. A good day.

 Top of Bruin Slope view from Peak Finder

 
Extra Photo's

Black and White of Sun, Trees, Snow and Sky

Sherri showing her form

Mount Hoffman with Mt Conness to the right

Tracks at top of the ridge

Clouds Rest

Looking back down to the east

Sherri, Woman of the Mountains

More Black and White of Sun, Trees, Snow and Sky

First Aid Hut and Bruin Slope

Main slopes of Badger Pass

 
Flowers and Plants

Moss on snow