Gary-Summer: November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike

Saturday, November 19, 2016

November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike

Title: November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike
Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Wawona Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Old Raymond Rd, Mt Savage Rd, Connector Trail, Wawona Meadow Trail

Destination:South Entrance Guard Station
Actual Destination:Close to South Entrance Guard Station

Distance: 9.29 miles

Start Time:11:55

End Time: 5:12

Travel Time: 5:17 (1.76 mph)

Moving Time: 3:58 (2.34 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,461'

Maximum Elevation: 5,133'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Some trails you hike because of the destination, others you hike because of the journey. Today's hike is about the journey. But there is also a bonus. As Annie Dillard says, Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there. At the end of the hike, we do have our moment of glory.

We do not need to get too early of a start. But maybe getting started before 10 would have been better-so that we would get back before dark. On the other hand, we would have missed the main event. We stop briefly in Oakhurst for a donut and coffee. Then it is off to Wawona. At the entrance station, I get in the wrong line, but that is not bad. By the time our feet hit the ground and are ready to hike, it is noon.

Mt Savage Road

We decide we will eat after walking a ways. The first part of our hike is up the old Raymond Road. I am guessing this is one of the oldest road in Yosemite as this is how tourists first came to Wawona before going on to the Valley. The first part has a pretty good incline. We pass a family with with several kids enjoying the hike, as well as having target practice with some rocks. And that was the last of anybody which we would see for the next four hours.

Chilinuaha Creek Area

A short ways further, we come to where the road around Mt Savage Road meets up with the Old Raymond Road. Actually there is a another road cutting which meets up with our road earlier, but we went up to the top cut off there along this other road. We then start our trip around Mt Savage The incline is not as much and the road is all covered with leaves. Just nice and serene. Nothing which you would point to and say to someone, “You need to hike this.” On the other hand, I am attracted to this road, one is cut off from traffic and only a few people walk it.

Mt Savage From Wawona Meadow

After an hour, we come to the connector trail down to Wawona Meadow. Now we have a decision to go on the road or go down to the Meadow. This requires food power, so we stop for lunch. After a PB&Nutella lunch we decide to go on down the road which should lead to the South Entrance Guard Station. But we said that at 2:30, we would turn around.

After a short walk where the road continues to climb, we come to a saddle. Here we noticed a use trail going up towards Mt Savage. I had read there was something like this from this road. Looks like another hike. We continue on and the road gently drops. Then we come to a construction site and wonder what it is? (Later we find out there is an information center and parking lot going in.) We walk a little farther until it is 2:30. We may be only 200 yards from our goal, but it is time to turn around.

Construction Site

Sherri Walking the Connector Trail

We retreat back to where we had lunch. Remember that connector trail? It is time to drop down it. It is a well maintained trail, which shows little use. Certainly today we are the only ones using it. Lots of mountain misery along the side of the trail, but no scent. Must be the season. The trail descends, maybe a 800', in a short two miles. . But it is pleasant, quiet, like the rest of this trail. Nothing exciting from a visual point of view, more of relaxing walk.

Gary and Sherri

Eventually we make it down to the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. Here we have a decision: return along the west side of the meadow, the east side or take another connector trail to the Mariposa Grove Trail. Because of the time, we take the east side loop which will lead us to the Wawona Hotel and our car. But it is about a mile and a half further, but flat. Close by there is a stump which we stop at to eat a Luna bar and take a picture. Then our daughter Andrea calls Sherri's phone. After awhile, I got cold and put on a long sleeve shirt. Up until this time, it was cool, in the mid-50's, but we were moving and I felt comfortable. Now that we are sitting and talking, well I am getting cold. But don't get me wrong, I enjoy hearing my daughters voice and talking with her.

Wawona Meadow

After talking awhile, we move on. There are some places to get a good views of Wawona Meadow. We have caught up with a couple who are enjoying the views and evening. The sun, or what we think was a sun has set and it is getting dark. But then the clouds start to turn light, then golden, and the western sky reminds you something out of the Second Coming of Jesus.

Sun's Rays Catching the Clouds

We gawk at that for awhile admiring this and thinking that we have had a great hike and this is an ending which just cannot be beat. We reach the car about 5:15, a bit tired, but feeling good about our hike. We stop in Oakhurst for dinner at Pop's Diner. Then back home by 8:00pm. Time for a shower.

Background

Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg 287 (The Annie Dillard Reader)

From the Yosemite Conservancy, there is a timeline which indicates that in 2017 Complete new arrival plaza at the South Entrance, complete with parking, shuttle, hydration stations and a Yosemite Conservancy bookstore

As a note, I am calling the road between the Old Raymond Road and the South Guard Station Entrance in Yosemite as the Mt Savage Road. I do not know if it has a formal name or not. Also I am speculating that this road may have been the old road from the guard station to Wawona as I cannot figure out any other reason for it.

Extra Photo's