November 11, 2015 - East Yosemite Valley Loop

Title: November 11, 2015 - East Yosemite Valley Loop

Trail head: Camp Curry

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Valley Loop Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 11.26 miles ¹

Start Time:  10:18

End Time:     4:22

Travel Time: 6:03 (1.86 mph)

Moving Time: 4:46 (2.36 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,655'

Maximum Elevation: 4,277'

 ¹I am not sure about the mileage or times. My GPS did not pick up the satellites until after Happy Isles. This is not unusual, with the narrow and steep Valley walls and tree cover, the GPS has a hard time picking up its points.  Also, there is a few places I went back to make sure everybody was accounted for. I think the proper mileage is between 11.5 and 12.0 miles. A Fitbit got 13+ miles, while a phone was between 9 and 10 miles.

The dotted blue line on the map shows the part which there is no GPS track.

Description:
The day after this hike, I woke up with my upper legs all sore and when I walked, it was more of a shuffle for a few minutes. I really could not get a stride going. So maybe this hike was a bit more than what I thought it was, or maybe I just was not in good enough shape for it. But yesterday, I was feeling great, even carrying around a bear canister half full of cookies.

On Wednesday, got up at 5:20, but really did not feel like getting up. We shall see how I do today. We got to Kohls at 6:45 and are the first ones there. But not for long as our meetup folks filter in. Rebecca and Mike have called and said they have been waylaid by car troubles so they will not be able to make it. One person did not show, so we have 16 of us, including the five who we pick up in Oakhurst.

Mossicles

Cold!

After we a pit stop at Chinquapin, we arrive at Camp Curry around 9:45, maybe a little bit later than I would have liked it to be. But we do hit the trail before 10, just barely. I have asked that we do not use the bathroom facilities at Camp Curry, but go on to Happy Isles just because it will be less time waiting. I think this morning that is a good thing. What I saw on the forecast was someplace in the 40's for the temperature with clear skies. When we step out of the car, it is 31, but with clear skies. We never cleared the 40 degree mark. It is brisk and we all want to get moving fast, which we do. By 10:15 we hit Happy Isles and the bathrooms.

Path around Mirror Lake

Now the real walking starts as we cross the east end of the Valley. I had indicated that a shorter route could be taken if people wanted to. Everybody felt up to the additional three miles so off we go around Mirror Lake and up Tenaya Canyon. It turns out that for some of us, the additional miles are a stretch, but all will make it and were happy that they did. Also there is general agreement that Tenaya Canyon would be the surprise hit of the hike.

Out path with snow

As nobody took the short route, we started going around Mirror Lake, first on the east side, skirting Mirror Lake and past the Ahwiyah Point rock-slide. It is cold and we are in the shadows of Half Dome. So nobody wants to stand around and dawdle too much. I am towards the lead and Sherri is preforming the sweep duties. We cross frozen puddle, find mossicles-icicles formed on moss, and trees covered with snow. But there is this unexpected beauty which we are finding and enjoying. The path at times is just a strip of dirt surrounded by snow. The forest's deciduous trees have either shed their leaves or are turning colors. Not vibrant, but a bit subdued, like they have had a long hot summer and it must be a relief to embrace the coldness of the air we are walking through.

Mt Watkins and Mirror Lake

Half Dome

But the forest is not the only star attraction. We have Mirror Lake, Half Dome, and Mt Watkins all vying for attention. Just hiking among these giants can uplift your spirits, let alone on a day like today. We pass by gingerly the rock-fall, not so much from fear of more rock falling-in Yosemite with the sheerness of its slopes, that is always a possibility. But more out of a reverence from the  obvious strength of the fall. The burst of air from the rock fall sheered off the tops of trees through force of its wind blast.

Ahwiyah Rock Fall

Cedars

As we get to the far side of the loop, we cross the Tenaya Creek on a bridge-there is a second bridge which crosses the dry Snow Creek. Here we wait for awhile for the last part of the group. This is the first place which we see the sun and it feels good. After awhile they catch up and we start the leg back to Mirror Lake. I am now sort of in the middle and realize that there is a junction ahead which I would like to turn off on. So I race ahead. But being a wise group, they waited at the junction for further instructions.

Washington Column

We take the trail leading away from the old road area, the one which during the summer is full of horse residue, but now is pretty nice. After awhile, we stop at a outhouse, then continue on. We pass under an assortment of cliffs and rocks-Washington Column, Indian Caves and Royal Arches before finally coming to the Ahwahnee Hotel.

Glacier Point from the Ahwahnee

We have lunch outside of the hotel on the public tables. It is later than I was thinking it would be-about 2:15 before we take off from the hotel. I am concerned that with the sun setting about 4:30 or sooner behind the south rim of the valley, it will get dark. Also cold. So our stop is a bit briefer than most of us would like it. But before we go, I pass out cookies-you know those cookies I said I lugged around in the opening paragraph. Those cookies.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Fall Colors and Yosemite Falls

It is only about a mile and half to Yosemite Falls from the Ahwahnee and we hurry on this trail. It has the only good grade on the whole trip. I need to stop once to catch my breath-I am out of shape. I come in towards the last and am gazing at the Falls when a little wind lifts my hat and sends it off down under the bridge. This is the one time it is good the Yosemite Creek does not have much water. I am able to scramble down the bank and retrieve the hat. From the way our group is taking pictures you would think this is the first time we have seen these Falls. But you know, anytime you see these Falls, they are special.

Half Dome

After a bathroom break, it is time for our final leg back to the cars. We cross Cook's Meadow which gives us a wonderful view of where we have been walking all day: Half Dome, North Dome, Clouds Rest, Sierra Point and the Merced River.

Sierra Point

Clouds Rest

The path along Southside Drive is paved. Between being in the evening shadows, the increasing cold, we start hitting patches of ice on the asphalt. While I do not know of anybody who went down, I know I slipped several times and had to do some balancing to remain upright. At this point, I think we are all in a hurry to get back to the warmth of the cars and not slip on the ice. So not much effort was made to do final looks at the grand views of Yosemite. We do get back to the cars at 4:20, very happy and satisfied with the day.

El Capitan at Sunset

But wait, what hike ends on us just going home? We stop at El Cid's in Oakhurst. But you know, sometimes Yosemite likes to show off before we leave the clutches of its allure. We all felt we had a jolly good day, if not one of the better days you could have in Yosemite. Not many people, besides it being cold, it was a beautiful day. Clear skies, snow on the ground and leaves starting to turn. So what could be better? Well, Yosemite said I will show you. As we were driving on the way out, I noticed a pinkish glow to El Capitan. By the time we got to Tunnel View, Yosemite was doing a full display of evening color. Boy I love this place.

 

From West side of Mirror Lake

Trail Lesson:

No matter how many times you have visited a place, keep your eyes open for the beauty you have not seen before.

Clouds Rest and Half Dome at Sunset

Yosemite Valley-last view of trip