Gary-Summer: Ahwiyah Point

Showing posts with label Ahwiyah Point. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023 - Yosemite Valley-Dogwood Chasing

Title: May 10, 2023 - Yosemite Valley-Dogwood Chasing

Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Camp Curry

Trail: Glen Trail, Merced River, Mirror Lake Road, Valley Loop

Destination: None

Distance: 6.85 miles ¹

Start Time: 11:00

End Time: 6:24

Travel Time: 5:15 (1.31 mph)

Moving Time: 3:41 (1.86 mph)

Elevation Rise: 820'

Descent: 868‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,168'

GPS Tracks in Two Parts; Camp Curry to Mirror Lake and Yosemite Falls

Dogwoods

Tram Riding:

Distance: 6.3 miles

Time: 0:37

¹The above information is computed from the actual hiking. There were times we jumped on a tram. Also Gary forgot the GPS and had to retrieve it. The distance, elevation and Travel and moving time on the Hike information is only for the walking time. The Start and End Time is for the entire journey.

Description:

Jessi is a lookout friend. Last year she asked about dogwoods in Yosemite. Evidently I did not lead her too far astray because she is interested in going up to Yosemite with us. Of course, Sherri and I are always looking for an excuse to visit Yosemite.

Jessi arrives a little after 8:30 and we are shortly on our way. Sherri starts off driving and I get a few minutes of rest. In Oakhurst, we change drivers. One of the good things about traveling with someone is that you find out a bit more about them. The lookout is good for meeting and enjoying people, but we really only see them twice a year. It is good just to have the time to talk. Oh yeah, Jessi is a delightful person.

Merced River

After stopping at Chinquapin, then Tunnel View. Tunnel View is in its full glory. Water is coming off the walls everywhere, not just the named falls. We do not spend much time there, but enough to appreciate possibilities for the day.

Dogwoods are what we are hunting for today. We are hoping that they are still vibrant and fresh. We get the first taste of them as we drive along Southside Drive. Looks like our hunting will be successful. We wheel into Camp Curry about 10:15. But we do not get boots onto the ground until after 10:30.

We walk up the road towards Happy Isles, Lots of dogwoods, which means that we stop every couple of yards and admire. Isn’t that why we came to Yosemite-well there are the falls and the walls and everything else.

Sherri and Jessi beside the Merced

When we get to the backpackers parking lot, we veer off to a trail which goes a bit south of the road, For being just a hundred yards away from the more traveled road, this trail is really quiet, I am concerned about this trail just because of all of the runoff and there is a section already swampy, I wonder how passable it is.

Suddenly an epiphany hits! I have left the GPS on top of the car. I told my companions to go ahead and I would meet them at Happy Isles. On the way back I wonder whom I can blame and the conclusion is that I only can blame myself. Sigh. Fortunately the GPS is still right where I left it.

I go up the road, rather than the trail,since it is slightly shorter and quicker. I probably went about 3/4 of a mile further than Sherri and Jessi. When I got there, there was no sign of them. But Sherri comes along and we meet up with Jessi. Lunch is the next topic. There is a little island-that stands to reason given the area’s name. We find a log and enjoy our lunch watching the Merced roar by.

Mirror Lake and Mt Watkins

We then start on our trek, crossing the Happy Isles Bridge. Here instead of following the Valley Loop Trail, we follow a trail which takes us along the Merced. This once paved trail is uneven with the constant water lapping against it season after season. Today it is dry and a joy to walk on. Like before we constantly stop and gawk. There is enough here for us to stay all afternoon.

Yosemite Falls

We are still energetic enough to climb the hill up to Mirror Lake. We see the other trail of the loop. Not for us today. Later on we find out that there are fallen trees across the trail and as I was suspecting, a bit wet. Jessi must be mesmerized by the trail because as slow as Sherri and I are, we can see her stopping often, finding the perfect way to shoot a flower, a tree or the walls of the Valley.

When we get to Mirror Lake, there is no reflection. But there is such a great view that I forgive it. Mt Watkins rises mid-canyon. Across from there is Ahwiyah Point. While not reflective, Tenaya Creek flowing through a full Mirror Lake makes the scene close to perfect.

Going to Yosemite Falls

When we leave the lake, Sherri and I get into a discussion with two couples. It can be a pleasure to exchange places with fellow backpackers about places where there is mutual connection. In this case, it was the Rae Lakes loop. Good to compare notes. I am afraid we have left Jessi to her own ways. But we find her waiting patiently a little ways further.

Horsetail Falls

We make a connection with a trail the horses use to get from the stables to Mirror Lake. I enjoy this section as few people actually walk it. Plus there are more flowers, more plants and, of course, dogwoods. Jessi asks if this will meet us at the road going up to Mirror Lake? I answer no, but am proven wrong. I usually continue on the Valley Loop to the Ahwahnee.

Today we head down the road to the Mirror Lake tram stop. Here, we pick up the Green bus which does the entire Valley. But we will get off at Yosemite Falls. It does hit the Ahwahnee. There the bus thins out and we can grab a seat. Who walks in? Several friends. Betty is the first one whom we recognize with her husband Randy. Theme there is John and Cathey, Rebecca and Keith, and a few others. It is always a good thing to meet friends unexpectedly.

Bridalveil Falls from Valley View

They get off before we do. Jessi, Sherri and I continue on to Yosemite Falls. It is running full, but with little wind. So the spray makes it down to the bridge over Yosemite Creek in small amounts. We hardly feel it. Our return trip gets us back to Yosemite Village. There we hunt out the suitable bus stop, number 2 if you really want to know. And then it is a long wait. Long enough that we all sit down on the ground to wait. After about 25 minutes, the Purple tram line comes and takes us back to Curry Village.

By this time, it is almost 6:30 and time to head home. But first, we stop at a turn out after Camp 4. Horsetail Falls is running nicely, but it is a bit late in the day, so the sun does not show off its splendor. But the Valley has one last parting gift for us. At the west end of the Valley is a popular turn out called Valley View. Today it shows us why it is so popular. With the deepening evening shadows, the sun draws lines of dark and light across the walls with Bridalveil just glistening there.

Fern Springs

Actually there was one more parting gift. We stopped by Fern Spring-Jessi, I had the wrong name. Black Spring is across the Valley from Fern Spring. Fern Spring is a quiet little pool of water which most people pass by. Today it is gushing. And now this is the way to leave the valley.

We get to Oakhurst about 8 and all of us are ready to eat. So we stop in at El Cids-the first time Sherri and I have been here in three or four years, The burritos hit the spot. In appreciation for the day, Jessi pays for our meals-she probably overpaid the tour guide in this regard as we enjoy Yosemite and would enjoy going up even without her. But with her, it just made it that much better. We get back to Fresno about 9:30. Poor Jessi has a bit more of a drive. I am tired but have enjoyed the day.

Background

Extra Photo's

Jessi and Gary on the trail

Merced River

Indian Canyon Falls

Stair Step Falls

Silver Strand Falls

Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View

Flower Child Gary

Yosemite Falls

El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and the Merced from Valley View

Fern Spring

Fern Springs

Coyote seeking attention

Flowers and Plants

Dogwoods

Unknown

Saturday, May 4, 2019

May 4, 2019 - East End of Yosemite Valle

Title: May 4, 2019 - East End of Yosemite Valley or A Creek Runs Through It
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Camp Curry parking area

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Valley Loop Trail

Destination: Yosemite Falls, Loop

Actual Destination: Yosemite Falls

Distance: 10.3 miles ¹

Start Time: 9:30

End Time: 5:30

Elevation Gain: 1,676’

^{1 Looks like the the GPS did not accurately pick up the points, particularly within Tenaya Canyon. Consequently the points recorded were way off and could not be used accurately. The data above is derived from plotting the route on Google Earth.}

Description:

Staircase Falls

I got up at 5:15 and we left the house a little after 6:00. 10 out of 11 people show up-the 11th turns out thought she had dropped out of the hike. We left Fresno at 6:40. Jessi is riding with Sherri, Steven and I. We get to Oakhurst at 7:25, filling up with Starbucks and picking up Sonya. Then it is off to Yosemite with a brief stop at Chinquapin for taking care of some personal business. The line getting into Yosemite was surprising short-about a ten minute wait. Pays to go early. Camp Curry comings into view around 9:15.

A concern which I have is that parts of the Valley can be very wet during the Spring. With as much water as we have had this year, this concern can become a reality.

Merced River from Happy Isles

After taking a group picture, the ten of us start off. We went through Camp Curry and hit the road to Happy Isles. Normally when we hit the backpacker’s parking lot, we will take a back way in. But there is usually some water on the trail, so we just continue up the road. At Happy Isles, we stop for some personal maintenance before setting out.

Coming into Yosemite, we started noticing dogwoods along Highway 41. We were wondering if it would be too early for them in the Valley. The answer is NO! They are everywhere, from eye level to 30-40’ off the ground. The effect is mesmerizing. So many of them and they are at full bloom. We certainly hit it right for the dogwoods. What a wonderful year.

Tenaya Creek

We walk on the Valley Loop Trail, on the easternmost side of the Valley. Already the cameras are coming out. The dogwoods are really putting on a show. We come to the junction where I know I will need to make a decision-do we go around Mirror Lake or go directly to Mirror Lake up the road? Sherri asks a woman who just came down the trail if she has gone around the lake? Yes. How passable is it? My shoes are dry. Maybe taking advice from strangers may not be a good idea.


Washington Column

So off we go. I stay back with the photographers. The rest are quickly out of sight. But the photographers are enamoured by the blossoms and falls. They are always finding a better perspective.

Seasonal Water Fall

Seasonal Waterfall

We pass by Mirror Lake with the obligatory stopping for pictures. By now, the three of us are well behind the rest of the group. But there is so many more pictures to be taken.

Use Trail

We get to Ahwiyah Point rock fall. And now things get interesting. What I feared occurs. The trail is flooded. But there is a use trail around this section. This statement is a bit misleading on two counts. First the around is at least a quarter mile long. Which leads to the second point. The word "trail" conjures up an image of a well manicured path through lovely trees. While others have gone this way and several are following us, this is a route going over rocks, under fallen trees and through brush, climbing up about 50' above the real trail.

Tenaya Creek

We successfully scrambled over this, taking awhile to get around the flooded area. The reason for all the water? The Tenaya Creek has found a temporary route down the trail. So with apologies to Norman MacLean, I am titling this hike as A Creek Runs Through It. The three of us have a discussion about how far it was-300 yards or a quarter mile. So what is the difference? 100 yards.

How far back are we? I hope to catch up to the group at the bridge. But getting to the bridge, no group. But more pictures. Which means a bit more waiting. I do voice a concern about how far ahead the rest of the group is and a nudge to move on.

Illilouette Falls

We pass by the Snow Creek Trail and continue on. But there is so much to enjoy our walk is interrupted with more observations, both of the memory type and the photographic. We finally come up to Mirror Lake and catch up with the rest of the group. They have been waiting about 90 minutes.

After a brief lunch-I had Sherri's and Steven's-we are off again. We backtracked to the Stables Trail and take off up it. Now it is a bit up, but not much. It goes over a ridge where Indian Caves are-we do not see them, but Jody has been too them. She talked some about the legends associated with them.

As we come down the ridge, there is a pit toilet which people makes us of. The consensus is that they are yucky, but functional.

Now the question is what do we want to do to finish up the hike? The Ahwahnee? Yosemite Falls? Straight back to Camp Curry? Yosemite Falls wins. No need to stop at the Ahwahnee. 2.5 miles more, according to the sign.

We make some pretty good progress. After awhile, three young ladies pass us by and ask me about Royal Arches. I give them a general location and tell them that it is better from across the way. In unison, they say, “Thank you John Muir.” Sherri had put them up to it.

In a short order, we go under Royal Arches. Then get to cross Royal Arches Creek. There is enough water to make things interesting, but not very dangerous. The worst which will happen is we will get our ankles wet. But we all make it across safely. The Ahwahnee is close by, but we do not stop.

But on the north end of Ahwahnee Meadow, there is a bathroom, which we stop to give everybody an opportunity to take advantage of it-nobody does. The three ladies are there and we talk for a few and I direct them to the south end of Ahwahnee Meadow for a better viewing of Royal Arches and they scurry off.

Rattlesnake on trail - Photo by Sonya

Now for the big excitement for the day. For those of you who do not know where we are, we are only about 100-125 yards from Yosemite Village, the main place where you are going to have visitors-only about 150’ from the medical clinic and are on a paved trail where there is virtually a continuous stream of people during the summer. Sonya sees a snake, a cute, baby rattlesnake close to Steven’s feet. Steven is able to get out of the way when the snake lashes out. But that was close. I expect something like this in less populated areas, not here. Just goes to show Yosemite is a wild, even in the more populous parts.

Now we go behind the village, but re-emerge in front of the Visitor Center. We do not stop there, but continue on. But we do stop at the Yosemite Cemetery-or more properly known as the Pioneer Cemetery. Here many of the pioneers of Yosemite are buried: Clark, Hutchings, Lamon-not Muir though. We are a bit fascinated by the graves.

Yosemite Falls and Lost Arrow

Then we move on back up to the Valley Loop Trail. This brings us to the Falls. While I have seen more spray than this, it was wet enough for me. Nobody sticks around for very long to get wet. I think we are beginning to get tired. Being cold, wet and tired just does not sound fun. But the Falls are so awesome. Even coming up into the Falls, Lost Arrow standing, shining in the sun besides the spray of Yosemite Falls gives us all pause to appreciate how special this place is. I told the group to lookout slacklining Lost Arrow for some excitement.

Yosemite Creek

Now we come down from the Falls base towards Northside Drive. But first, it is time for a bathroom break-flush toilets here. Yipee! After all have gathered, we go over to where the buses load. When the bus pulls up, I count off eight people from our group getting on board. Wait! Didn’t we start with ten? Oh yeah the two photographers are still looking around. I tell the others to go ahead and I will catch the next bus. One photographer comes up. Then just before the bus is going to take off, the other one comes up. We ride around for the next 20 minutes until we get back to Camp Curry and our cars.

Yosemite Falls

Now comes the hardest part of the whole trip-getting out of Yosemite Valley. Fortunately it is too early in the season for the Yosemite Gridlock to take place. But we just get in line and progress through. Until Camp 4, we move at 10-15 mph, but then it becomes the usually trip out. On the way back, we stop in Oakhurst at Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant. See below for more. We get to Fresno, tired and happy. When I start to unpack, I find a mysterious wallet in my backpack. Sunday, we reunite the wallet with its owner. A pretty good trip.

Trail Lesson:

Definitely not one of the one line spify statements which usually come under “Trail Lesson”. But definitely something which I am pondering. We have a couple of photographers on this trip. That is really a good thing. I learn so much from watching others taking pictures. Both from the standpoint of the craft, but also seeing things from a different perspective.

But to do the craft right takes time. A few minutes here and a few minutes there adds up. The trick to giving people time to do their craft while respecting the time of the non-photographers, so they do not have to wait a long time, I have yet to master. I have much to learn as an organizer of hikers.

Background

Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant This is a mixed review and I suspect that with a smaller group than nine people, the review would have been different. My group came in after hiking 10 miles in Yosemite, hungry, but jovial. The positive, the food was delivered fast and it tasted really good. For the food, I would go again. I had a plain chicken burrito and enjoyed it. But I suspect that Plazuelas was not accustomed to serving that many people at once. They seemed to charge extra for each and every item-extra chips, $2.50. You want sour cream a couple of dollars more. Just put a damper on how we felt about the place.

Lost Arrow. During our hike, I mentioned that for a real thrill, to Google SlackLine Lost Arrow. Two which might be of interest is the first woman who slackedline-she falls a couple of times. The other is a person who free walks the slackline-it shows how the slackline is set up..

Extra Photo's