January 26, 2022 - Snowshoe at Badger Pass

Title: January 26, 2022 - Snowshoe at Badger Pass
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing 

Trail head: Badger Pass Ski Parking Lot

Trail:  Glacier Point Road, Dewey Point Trail

Destination: As far as time allows

Actual Destination: End of Dewey Point Meadow

Distance:  3.62 miles

Start Time:  12:40

End Time:     3:46

Travel Time:  3:05 (1.17 mph)

Moving Time:  2:09  (1.68 mph)

Elevation Rise:  350'

Descent: 350‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,388'

GPS Tracks

Groomed Glacier Point Road

Description:

This will probably be our last snowshoe before going to Hawaii next week. I got up at 7:15 and then lollygagged around, even after Sherri got up. So our 9am start time is shot and we leave our home at 10:15 with Sherri driving. We are heading north to Yosemite. If we do not find anyplace decent, we will continue on to Badger Pass where we know there will be snow.

At Wawona the snow looks patchy and not very fun. Even around Yosemite West we see spots which are bare, so I guess we are going up to Badger Pass. But with a quick stop at the Chinquapin portables. By the time we get up to Badger Pass it is 12:15. We decided to have lunch before taking off. It is closer to 12:45 when our snowshoes hit the snow.

We do not have a set plan, but the first thing to do is walk down the

Sherri Navigating a downslope

Glacier Point Road. It is a groomed trail for cross-country skiers with side areas for walkers and snowshoers. It goes all the way to Glacier Point, about eleven miles away. There is no way we can make it that far. Another couple starts off a few minutes before us. We then observe them setting aside one of their pairs of snowshoes. Wondering why.

But that wondering is short lived, when we get to the top of the grade, there is a trail to Dewey Point rated as a black diamond ski trail. We are contemplating walking up that like we enjoyed last year.. About the time we decided that we were not that ambitious, the couple came back down. They explain that a strap broke. We got into a bit of a discussion about different places to hike and snowshoe. Enjoyable. They are from San Jose but are staying at the Redwoods in Wawona. After fifteen minutes, his wife is ready to go back to the car, so the discussion ends.

Path through Dewey Point Meadow

We decided not to go down this trail. Instead we go down to Summit Meadow. There is an outhouse there which we take advantage of. A short few steps we need to make a decision: to go on a loop over to the Old Glacier Point Road and back to the parking lot, continue to go down the road or to take the easier Dewey Point Trail. But before we do, we spot a snowmobile coming towards us. This is unusual since snowmobiles are not allowed in most cases. So I hypothesis that the lady on the back has had some sort of an incident making her return not feasible. We watch them go by.

Gary taking a breather

By this time a lone cross-country skier comes by. We discuss the snowmobile. Then just about things in general. He leaves and a woman comes on snowshoes from the direction of the Old Glacier Point Road. We talked a bit and discover she is from Santa Cruz and it was her first time snowshoeing. Kudos to her. We also talk about what each way holds in store for her. She decides to continue on down the Glacier Point Road.

 

Frozen area

 

 

 

We decided to head towards Dewey Point, even though we know we have no chance of making even the majority of the way there. It has been decades since we have been down this trail, so we just want to refresh our memories of it. Just a couple of minutes down the trail, a couple of cross-country skiers are coming back. They reported it was a beautiful trip-it is a beautiful day. We chat for a couple of minutes and they move on and so do we.

Sherri and Gary

 

The trail is hard packed, but not slippery. Also, the trail is a very gentle grade descending into a meadow I had not realized was there: Dewey Point Meadow. There are several paths through the meadow. When we reach the northern end of the meadow, it is a little after 2:30. This is my turn around time. We take a picture of an iced over creek and turn around.

Return trip

The trail back is pretty much a reverse of the way we came. For some reason, even though we are ascending, we are going at a pretty good rate. When we get to Summit Meadow, we take advantage of the facilities. Then it is time to scoot on up over the hump before the long downhill to the car. To me, this always feels like it goes on forever. Still I would rather be going down than up. The last little big Sherri and I discuss why we cannot see this turn in the Summer? It is not for the lack of looking.

We got back to the car at 3:45. By the time we put away everything, it is after 4. Now for the two hour drive home. We have told Steven to surprise us with dinner. He got us pizza. Just what my body needed.