Gary-Summer: October 26, 2020

Monday, October 26, 2020

October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point

Title: October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's :

Hike Info:

Type: Car

Destination: Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Actual Destination: Glacier Point

Description:

We got a Yosemite Park pass so that we could go up on October 31st. So we need to make a trip up to Yosemite. Besides, it is good after my birthday trip for a now much older man. Such hardships we endure, woe is us. We are planning to hike over to Taft Pt and up Sentinel Dome. A loop we have done several items. While well within our capability, it will stretch us a bit in our current condition.

View from Washburn Pt

We don’t get an early start, but a start which should get us up there by about 10am. It is a quick drive up. The line at the entrance station is a bit long, but not by Yosemite standards. We make a quick stop at Chinquapin. And then go up the Glacier Point Road.

Oh, Oh! As we approach the parking area for Taft Pt/Sentinel Dome, we see nothing but cars parked on the side of the road, leading up to the parking area. Does not look very promising. After a quick consultation, we decided that area is too crowded for us. Now what to do? For a short term solution, we will go on to Glacier Point and see how crowded that area is.

Horse Fire

On our way to Glacier, we stop at Washburn Point which is pretty open. We are a minority mask wearers, but there is a lot of room, so that does not seem to be an issue. Washburn Point is my preferred overlook. I think it is because we can see far into the backcountry. I can see places I have been and dreama bit about walking there again. Also there are places my feet have not traveled yet. I can only imagine what they like. Looking east, the view is pretty clear. I gaze that way for a while. Half Dome is dominae, and Vernal and Nevada falls are there. But the Clark Range with Mt Starr King is a wonder.

Snow Creek Trail

And then farther back we see the Crest. Such a wonderful view. So glad not that many people stop here. Also, when we look south, we see the Horse Fire on Horse Ridge, right before Ostrander Lake. Actually, Sherri spots it first-hopefully it is because I am distracted with everything else. This fire was started by lightning in August. The Park is letting it burn itself out.

Onward down to Glacier Point, not far. The parking lot is maybe about a quarter full. Looks like we score. We go out to the point. Yosemite Valley is always impressive and particularly from Glacier. There is a haze coming in from the Creek and SQF Complex fires. I start to pick out various places-Camp Curry, Happy Isles, Snow Creek Trail, and where the Hidden Falls probably is. When I look at Ahwahnee Meadows, I am seeing something man made which I cannot figure out. It is only when I realized that it was a Christmas ornament.

Lunch Time

We have lunch a little ways off, facing out to the Valley. Very pleasant. After a stop at a bathroom way at the end of the parking lot-it is a long lot. So we did get a little bit of a walk in. We started back up the road thinking maybe if the Taft Pt parking area is not busy, doing that walk. Nope. So on we go.

Mysterious design on Ahwahnee Meadow

Sherri wants to stop at the Mono Meadows Trailhead. So we do. Not a great view, but looking through the trees there are places which you just wish for a bit broader of a view. We just wander in an arc around the area and see what we could see. Oh yeah, we were not sure where the trail was-that is a common problem with me. I can wander many places in the backcountry and find where I should be pretty easily. But finding the trail at the trailhead? I have a history of having issues there.

Time to move on. We stopped in Oakhurst at Carl Jr’s. but the power has been out. They said to wait around for about half an hour. We decided not to-we can almost be to Fresno by that time. We order a take-out dinner from Red Robin in Riverpark and have a content dinner.