Gary-Summer: January 6, 2022- Yosemite Valley

Thursday, January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022- Yosemite Valley

Title: January 6, 2022- Yosemite Valley

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoe Hiking/Walking

Trail head: Parking area on Northside Drive Yosemite Valley

Trail: Valley Loop

Destination: None

Distance: 1.53 miles

Start Time: 3:25

End Time: 4:56

Travel Time: 1:31 (1.01 mph)

Moving Time: 1:12 (1.28 mph)

Elevation Rise: 100'

Descent: 89‘

Maximum Elevation: 3,983'

GPS Tracks

Description:

El Capitan

Going snowshoeing was not on the agenda for today. We took care of some banking business in the morning. But Sherri's hair appointment got canceled. When we got home from doing our banking around 10:30, we decided there was still enough time to make a quick trip up to Yosemite, probably Wawona. So we got ready, ate lunch and then took off

Yosemite Falls

By the time we fill up with gas at Costco, it is just past noon. Sherri took the first leg of driving up to Coarsegold. Evidently this morning’s business was a bit tiring, so I took over after that. When we got to Wawona, it was about 1:30. There is enough snow to walk with snowshoes, but then the Valley also sounds interesting. The Valley’s siren song won out.

Gary at Ahwahnee Meadow

Highway 41 into the Valley is with an R1 condition-that is: chains are required unless you have snow tires. We have mud and snow tires so we continue on, a bit cautiously. We stopped briefly at Chinquapin and then down to the Valley. Going through Wawona Tunnel is an eye opener-Yosemite is gorgeous anytime. But with it clothed in white makes it even more glamorous.

We stop along the southern side of the Merced-the slow moving water inside banks of snow just yearns to be admired. But the snow is too slippery for my tennis shoes-not icey, but very packed snow with water in it. Further on we stop at the meadow just to the north of the chapel. The view of Yosemite Falls is spectacular from here. We stop long enough to gawk and take pictures.

Sherri admiring a tree

And then we are off. We are looking for a good place to set some snowshoe tracks down. Most places, the parking is very limited and already taken; or we would go about a hundred yards and meet a road or the Merced. On the other hand, Yosemite is giving us a lot of eye candy. So we are content just to drive around. We stop at Ahwahnee Meadow and look at the mist rising there, with the Ahwahnee Hotel hidden behind trees. While Yosemite Falls is visible, it is not the main attraction. Just being here is.

We move on. We have not gotten our snowshoes on today and as the hour progresses, it looks less likely. Still there is hope. Eventually the car ends up on Northside Drive. There is a turnout where we have hiked part of the Valley Loop Trail from. Maybe this will present an opportunity.

The answer is yes and no. The “yes” part of snowshoeing would be there is much snow with a good track and beautiful scenery. The “no” part is that snowshoes would be superfluous. The track is pretty hard packed, but not icey. So walking with our snow boots and poles should be sufficient.

Sherri and I take off walking back eastward. A couple groups of people pass us and we walk on. One is a mother and her two sons. They are hiking to El Capitan. I noted a mileage which was probably too high. They continue on as do we.

Right before Leidig Meadow, I stop and wait for Sherri. While waiting I took a few pictures. And then as Sherri approaches, she scares this large, magnificent bird, like you would see in one of Cindy’s pictures or National Geographic. I believe it is a Great Blue Heron. In flight, it is so awe inspiring. How can such a gangly looking bird look that graceful in flight. Obviously this is a photographic moment, but I was so mesmerized, none was taken.

Sherri on Leidig Meadow

Now that we have our fauna fix taken care of, and there will not be too much in the line of flora for a couple of months. It is time to consider geology. Before we hit Leidig Meadow, we hear the thud and rumble of what we think was either a rockfall or an avalanche on the south wall. We cannot see it, nor any telltale wisp of snow dust. We think it came from the Sentinel Point area.

And now we get to what I consider at least one of the best views, if not the best, of the Valley-the western end of Leidig Meadow. The eastern end of the Valley opens up with Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Washington Column, Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome right there before you. Looking westward is El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks.

Icicles

The fading sunlight comes off of the trees. There is a path broken out into the meadow, which we follow. It is worthwhile turning around occasionally to admire the beauty of God’s creation.

The shadows are deepening which indicate it is time to return to the car. We head north to hit the Valley Loop trail again. Northside Drive needs to be crossed before we do. When we cross we meet the mom and teenage sons. They did not make El Capitan-they did not want to get caught out after dark. While holding less fear than the mother, we too would prefer to be in the comfort of our vehicle when darkness surrounds us.

North Dome Reflection

As we walk along the half mile or so of the Valley Loop Trail, we come across this huge rock-we have seen it many times, along with the rock retaining wall of the trail. But this time, there are icicles from the snow melting on top of it and freezing on its way down. Really impressive. We shot many pictures.

When we get back to seeing the Merced River, we notice there is a rubber raft beached on the other side of the River, along with a man. He asks where is Bridalveil Falls? When there are questions like this, I wonder about the sanity of a person doing things like this. At least have a good clue where you are. He has another 2-3 miles more to go.

We got back to the car a little bit before five. It does not take us long to start driving. On the way out, we stop to admire the mist rising from El Capitan Meadow. And then again at Tunnel View. The sun has turned the stone of Yosemite Valley golden. It is a wonderful place. We hit Carl’s Jr in Oakhurst. By the time we make it home it is around 8pm.