Gary-Summer: November 10, 2019 - Yosemite Valley Loop Trail

Sunday, November 10, 2019

November 10, 2019 - Yosemite Valley Loop Trail

Title: November 10, 2019 - Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's : Animals

Trail head: Northside Drive

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Valley Loop Trail, Swinging Bridges

Destination: Loop

Distance: 6.33 miles

Start Time: 12:56

End Time: 4:20

Travel Time: 3:23 (1.87 mph)

Moving Time: 2:51 (2.22 mph)

Elevation Rise: 390'

Descent: 340‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,008'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I have been sick all this week. Nothing really serious-going from a sore throat last Monday to a full fledge cold and feeling miserable Friday and Saturday. Feeling a bit better today. We shall see how I am doing when we start out.

We are not in too big of a rush to get started. so it is about a quarter to ten before we leave. There is a Costco stop for gas. I am driving up, mostly because I think I will be sleeping on the way back. We got to the entrance at 11:30 and to the Valley at 12:30. Now the question is where to park? My initial thought was either the Four Mile Trail or Swinging Bridge. But both of those places were already packed. So we ended up going down Northside Dr and parked about ¾ of a mile west of Yosemite Lodge.

Sherri, Andrea, Steven

When we parked, a person from San Jose asked if the rock in front of us was El Capitan. No, it is on eastern flank of El Cap. Then talked about the Fire Falls in February, which comes close to this rock. These firefalls is natural occurring, unlike the historic ones which was a campfire pushed over the side of Glacier Point. These firefalls are really Horsetail Falls which is seasonal.

Autumn Leaves

We start off going west on the Valley Loop Trail, towards El Capitan. We set a better pace than I have used in the last several months of hiking. Some of that is because I have been walking/hiking more lately, but also because we are going on a slight downhill portion of our route. Also Andrea and Steven while not pushing the pace is setting things pretty comfortable for them. Fortunately, there are places where it is good to stop and gawk-at the Merced River, at the Valley walls, and at the Autumn colors. More of the later than anything else.

Autumn Leaves

Merced River

Autumn Leaves and Cathederal Rocks

Now about the Autumn colors. My verbal skills do not match the presentation. So I will let the pictures take over that work. But my couple of comments are that: 1) in the Autumn, you can be a rank ameutur and take beautiful pictures in Yosemite Valley-no special skills or equipment needed. Just be there. 2) If you are out of shape, the colors gives you many opportunities to stop and gawk-and rest.

When we get to the base of El Capitan, my much promised lunch break arrives-over a half of a mile late and about half an hour beyond where I thought. No complaints-really a lot easier to walk with the beauty you have around you. We find a log and enjoy a meal. But being in the shadow, not moving does get us to avoid the error of an elongated lunch break.

El Capitan

So off we went. We had gone as far east as what we wanted to go. So we crossed the El Capitan Bridge, observing the view westward on El Capitan Meadow. All glorious I might add. In looking at El Capitan, we scanned its surface for climbers, but did not see anybody. But there must have been some. Later when we drove by, we saw people pointing up to its sides like they had spotted climbers.

Going west, there was a slight downhill, so slight, not noticeable. but crossing Southside Drive and now heading east, up the Valley, why does it suddenly feel more uphillish? It really is not much of an up. But there is a series of low rolling ridges, more just places which border Spring water run-off than anything else. I start lagging behind. Some of it is picture taking. But most of it is my legs and lungs just do not have the ability to turn it on like I used to. Hopefully it is only a matter of losing some weight and getting the legs into better shape.

Fall Colors

But am I complaining? No! Later on someone who I stopped and took their family picture for asked me am I having a good day? My answer is I am in Yosemite, how can I have anything other than a good day? This was said with a large grin on my face. Still going up these little ridges is a bit numbing. But it is a good day!

Riverbank Protection

Fall Trees

Autumn Tree by Merced River

I am not saying I am by myself. Sherri is staying back for me. When we get to the Four Mile Trail, Andrea and Steven are waiting for us. After resting a few minutes, we go to Swinging Bridges. There awaits us the topping of the day. On the other side of the Merced is a sunny beach-like area, with two lonely stalks of a tree. With nobody around it, it looks something like a Japanese sand garden. With a line of yellow leaves behind and the evening haze, it is a scene you just stood and drank in.

Golden El Capitan

After crossing the bridge, I am left to straggle. But sometimes being a straggler is good. A family is taking pictures and I allow the father to be in it. They are the ones I had an exchange about being a good day in Yosemite.

By this time, we are heading back to the car, about ¾ of a mile down the road. A family of deer is grazing, undisturbed by our presence. So it gives us an opportunity to gaze at them while they graze.Then it is onward to the car.

Andrea's Dinenr

Andrea starts the drive home. We do stop where Roosevelt camped. It is a nice place to look at Bridalveil Falls-there is a little bit of a stream remaining. But the shocker is that El Capitan has turned golden with the setting sun.. It is something to behold with the largest stone in the world changes color and is positively radiant.

Steven's Dinner

Now we are on our way out. The big question is, what to eat? We decide on Italian, which means DiCicco’s in Oakhurst. Today, the service is good and the food is plentiful. I drive back to Fresno, with everybody content with the day.