Gary-Summer: November 13, 2024 - Yosemite Valley West

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024 - Yosemite Valley West

Title: November 13, 2024 - Yosemite Valley West

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Bridalveil Falls Parking Lot

Trail: Valley Loop Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 6.95 miles

Start Time: 11:14

End Time: 4:18

Travel Time: 5:04 (1.37 mph)

Moving Time: 3:53 (1.79 mph)

Elevation Rise: 835'

Descent: 843‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,061'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I went to bed with the thought we would be going to Yosemite in the morning. But uncertain what time we would leave. I got up at 6:30. Sherri gets up around 7 and we leave at 8:25. Sherri starts off driving. But we stopped in Oakhurst for a pastry at Judy's. Actually Sherri got a blueberry pastry and she got me a buttermilk glazed pastry. Judy’s threw in some donut holes as well.

South Fork of the Mered

Bridge over Bridalveil Ck

And then we went on with me driving, stopping briefly in Wawona before going down to the Valley. The stop enabled me to look across the South Fork of the Merced to see if we could cross it to see the Arboretum-the Merced is a bit higher than I was willing to attempt. Last week we hiked the East end of the Valley. Today, it is the West end. We were able to park at the Bridalveil Falls parking area. It has been revamped over the past two years and is much better, especially the bathroom which previously stunk. Probably because this is a late Fall weekday, there is plenty of parking available.

We started hiking a little after 11. I decided that we would go counter-clockwise, east along the Valley Loop Trail. This would take us up the more prominent climb first, rather than doing the climb when we were tired. To clarify, this is not a serious climb, but as the last mile of a 13 miler, it is with heavy legs we have climbed up this section close to Cathedral Rocks.

El Capitan

The air is cold. It must have been below freezing overnight as all puddles on the south side of the Valley had ice on them. About half of them were frozen solid. We have poles which help and on almost all of the frozen puddles we were able to navigate around.Between stopping every hundred yards to admire the beauty around us and trying not to slip on the ice, we were pretty slow in our hike. Slow never means that we did not enjoy our time, maybe it means we are enjoying it too much? I do not think so. You can never over enjoy Yosemite.

Cathedral Rocks

We have met several people along the way, some who know where they are going and some who do not. All we warn about the ice around Cathedral Rocks. Once beyond the rocks, the trail flattens out. We are able to walk a bit faster now, still admiring the woods.

We approached the Cathedral Beach area, where Andrea and Lawrence were married almost 13 months to the day. We leave the Valley Loop Trail and cut over towards the

El Capitan Bridge. But before crossing them, we find a nice log, sit and have lunch. Pleasant enough to rest. We spend about 15 minutes here and left about 1:15. Now we cross the trail and find the trail over to the Valley Loop Trail, under El Capitan.

Here we meet a family from Australia who are enjoying the Park. They have spotted a couple of climbers on the El Capitan’s Nose. We talked for about 15 minutes before we both went on our way; they went towards the east and we went west. When we get a clear view of El Capitan, we play the game of finding the climbers. We spot three sets of them. Always glad to see them up there and us on the ground.

The part from El Cap to the Pohono Bridge is a bit of a blur. A blur of yellows and reds and greens. This is why we hike the Valley in the Falls, to enjoy the assortment of colors. The trail itself rolls over ridges and undulates through ravines. The creek bed which Ribbon Falls runs through is dry, as expected.

We get to the Pohono Bridge and cross it. The Merced is slowly running under the bridge, allowing for the colors to reflect off of the still waters. Then it is time for the final leg back to the parking area. We travel up the Merced, soaking in its beauty. Also since we have been stung here before by meat bees, we are on the lookout for them. But it is too cold for them to be active.

Merced from the Pohono Bridge

The last obstacle is Bridalveil Creek. At times, usually in the Spring, it is running too full to cross. Today, we picked our path on rocks in the water. Then we made it back to the car about 4:15. It has been a full day.

Merced and El Capitan

Sherri starts us driving back and I take over in Wawona. We stopped at Carl’s Jr in Oakhurst. Then make it back to our house about 7pm, getting on the Zoom call at 7:10. Once it is finished, the shower calls me and I must go.