Gary-Summer: January 13, 2021 - Badger Pass Snowshoeing

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

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.