Gary-Summer: January 24, 2023

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

January 24, 2023 - Mariposa Grove

Title: January 24, 2023 - Mariposa Grove

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Mariposa Grove Plaza Parking Lot

Trail: Washburn Trail, Shuttle Road

Destination: Grove Arrival Area

Distance: 4.24 miles

Start Time: 12:02

End Time: 4:06

Travel Time: 4:04 (1.04 mph)

Moving Time: 2:55 (1.45 mph)

Elevation Rise: 761'

Descent: 758‘

Maximum Elevation: 5,655'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri

Last week we did the first snowshoe walk of the season at Big Stump. It was a mile long walk. For today’s walk Sherri suggested something a bit more-walking up to Mariposa Grove with our snowshoes. We have allocated 2-3 hour. We will see how we do.

Gary

I got up a bit late, around 7:30. I start to drain the rainwater out of the bed of my truck. But only moderately successful. There is a sheet of ice. There is always tomorrow to finish this task. I listen to my weekly weather webcast-nothing which caught my attention. But then I took care of a couple financial things, including reporting a fake PayPal invoice.

Sherri after lunch

By this time it is a bit after 10:00. We are able to get the car moving by 10:30. We make it to Oakhurst by 11:15. To my surprise, Sherri wants to stop at Judy’s Donuts for coffee and a donut. She even picks up a donut for me. And then we are off to Yosemite. We get into the Mariposa Grove Plaza Parking lot. The facilities are used and we get our equipment together. At least some of it. I discovered I forgot my sunglasses. Sherri has a cheap pair which fits over my glasses.

We strap on our snowshoes and hit the Washburn Trail. Admittedly, I am slightly confused. I thought this was the shuttle road and the trail was down a little lower. But Sherri called it correctly about it being the trail. Start of it is slippery, not icey. We are glad to have the snowshoes on, but I suspect that microspikes would do just as well. The whole path is pretty well packed. So we do not sink.

Our path goes this way

A good thing is that there are not that many people out on this trail. We may be the one of the few adventurers out there, or it could be just a Tuesday and the weekend crowds are not there. Either way, just the quietness of a forest with the snow blanketing the floor and the lack of people gives the sense of tranquility.

Snow and Water

The first mile is a pretty good uphill. Even on this uphill, I manage to trip over my snowshoes and fall-but no injury, except to my pride. So when we get to a spot of sunshine, we stop for lunch, around 12”45. It is good to rest and get recharged. Sherri is also refreshed and does well. A couple come up at the junction which goes up to the road. The woman seems to want reassurance about where they are going; the guy seems to want to tell us where we should go. Oh well. They pass by and we continue on our plodding pace.

We are mesmerized by the snow surrounding a few creeks. Or maybe I just wanted to rest my legs a few times. Either way. These little little things on our walk makes these outings so worthwhile. As we get close to the Arrival Area at Mariposa Grove, we see the results of last Summer’s Washburn Fire. In some obtuse way, the burnt trees form a stark setting of beauty with the snow surrounding them.

And this gets us to the Grove Arrival Area. I visit the facilities upon arrival and then we have a snack. Shortly afterwards, a German couple and their baby arrive. We talked for a while. They even snap our picture. Without people up here, the area takes on a whole new look. Not quite natural, but definitely not touristy. I think I like it this way.

And now it is time to go down. We decided to try the road. It has taken us two and a half hours to get up here. So much for 2-3 hours. The road should be faster, plus being able to see things differently. And there are differences. I have always enjoyed the Sequoias by the entrance to the Grove. They remind me of guardians. And then there are places to enjoy looking out over the drainage of the South Fork of the Merced.

You know those loaner sunglasses? I cracked the frame. We had gone through a long stretch of shade, so I took them off. I then fell a second time. In getting up, I heard a crack-yep cracked the frame. There are a few patchy places as the snow is a foot deep at its deepest. A snow cat comes up. Looks like it is a service vehicle for Verizon. This starts a discussion about how the snow is being removed from the road and why there are patchy places. My legs are getting a bit tired. Sherri seems to be in the EverReady Bunny mode. But around 4pm, we get down to the Plaza and the car.