Gary-Summer: Alder Falls

Showing posts with label Alder Falls. Show all posts

Thursday, May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack

Title: May 15, 2025 - Yosemite Backpack

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Menu : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail head: McGurk Meadow Trailhead

Trail: McGurk Meadow, Pohono Trail

Destination: Bridalveil Creek

Distance: 2.12 miles

Start Time: 10:45

End Time: 12:04

Travel Time: 1:19 (1.61 mph)

Moving Time: 1:06 (1.93 mph)

Elevation Rise: 334'

Descent: 507‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,084'

GPS Tracks

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Bridalveil Creek

Trail: Pohono Trail

Destination: Dewey Point

Distance: 5.23 miles

Start Time: 1:57

End Time: 7:05

Travel Time: 5:07 (1.02 mph)

Moving Time: 3:42 (1.41 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,266 '

Descent: 1,203‘+

Maximum Elevation: 7,351'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I get to go backpacking with my kids. Well, at least two of them-Rachel and Steven. It did not work out for us to backpack last weekend when Andrea was with us. Still, it is good to be out there. Two more things: they are no longer kids and two, we do not know if we are really going to be able to backpack. When I go to recreation.gov, it shows no permits are available anyplace in Yosemite. Our plan is to go to Yosemite and see if we can find availability. If not, we will do a day hike today, return to Fresno and go on a hike tomorrow with Sherri.

The three of us say our farewells to Sherri and leave at 7:45. I am driving. We stopped in Oakhurst at MacDonalds for some substance. Then at the Visitor’s Information. Both the Park and Sierra National Forest no longer have a presence there. All which the docent can tell us is that we will need to go into the Valley to get our permit. We enter the Park and go to the Wawona Ranger Station, which is closed. But I notice they have a bulletin board out in front. Is it possible we can do self-registration? Yes!

Now the question is where to go? I proposed a couple of places: Alder Falls or Bridalveil Creek. We chose the more relaxing trip to Bridalveil Creek. We set off for the McGurk Meadow Trailhead and arrived about 10:30. It takes us a few minutes to get ready, but our feet touch dirt at about 10:45.

Rachel's Log Crossing

Sherri and I have gone down this trail all the way to Dewey Point as a day hike. Also nine years ago, Sherri, Sonya and I did an overnighter on this trail after an aborted JMT and Chain Lake trips. Memories. That is one good thing about taking a walk down a trail you know well.

But today is a day for new memories with my son and daughter. We go the first ¾ mile down to McGurk Cabin. Here I make my usual comment that McGurk must have been a pygmy as the doorway to his cabin is only about 3’ tall. Then we see the beginnings of the greens of his meadow. Somehow this meadow which does not look that big continues for over a mile. It is a breath of refreshment, especially since so far we have not attracted any mosquitos.

There are two notable things about the trail today. First, there are good patches of snow, even about 10-15 yards long. Nothing which causes a problem, just being on the alert for any ice under the snow. Then the other thing is the trail crew, if we have any things year, has not been out yet. It is a bit early for them. There are numerous logs across the trail. Some we go around, some we go over and one tree we do a limbo under. I guess I am going to get my exercise today.

We get to the junction with the Pohono

Looking east from Dewey Point

trail pretty quickly-after all it is mostly downhill. It is about a quarter mile to Bridalveil Creek. Once there, the mission is to find a campsite. While the area is pretty level, there is a slope to it. For Steven, that does not matter as he sets up his hammock. For Rachel and I who will be sharing a tent, it does. But we find a place which is reasonable and pitch our tent. Then it is on to lunch as it is a little past noon now.

We discussed what we wanted to do. It was decided to go to Dewey Point, only a little more than two miles away. The trail does have some debris, but not the number of downed trees like we encountered from McGurk. The trail leads us around the Valley rim, but never at a place where we have a few. It is mostly forested.

There is a sense of a rolling uphill towards Dewey Point. I am breathing hard, but by stopping occasionally I make it to the Point a little after 4. The view is spectacular. Anytime you look into the Valley, it is enough to take your breath away. Today it is not only figuratively, but literally. But Yosemite provides even a better backdrop. The snow is still heavy above 8,000’. Tops of mountains show a bit of granite but their flanks are coats of white. One can stay here a long time just gazing. God does know how to paint a picture.

Rachel takes a picture of our conquest. Then I leave a few minutes ahead of them. I realize that I am the weak link of this party, so I leave a few minutes before the others. I start off following some footprints to the southeast of Dewey, but quickly realize this is not the way. I spot the mileage marker just 20 yards away and head towards that.

When I got back on the trail, something did not seem right, so I stopped to let my body catch up with what I wanted to do. The next thing I know, Steven is asking if I am OK. I am wondering where I am, as in why am I on the ground. From what Steven said, I was out for about ten seconds. After a couple of minutes I got up, a bit concerned about what happened. Rachel puts her Apple watch on me to get some heartbeat and O2 readings. I looked at my CGM to make sure I did not go low. Everything looks good. Heart rate 115-130, O2 low 90’s and blood sugars at 180. After some discussion, we decided to call my brother David who has had some EMT training. We described the situation. He walked us through some of the concerns and possibilities.

With David’s input, we discussed what to do. I am feeling better, so the decision is to try to walk back at least to the junction, about two miles and see how I am doing. Rachel keeps David on the phone until we leave the service area. But that is not too much of a concern as both Rachel and I have PLB’s. Steven walks in front of me, pacing me, with Rachel making sure I look OK. The pacing is slow, very slow with lots of breaks.

We get to the junction and I am doing OK. So Steven goes quickly to camp to draw water for dinner. By the time I get to camp, it is 7pm. Fortunately there is a lot of sunlight left. I rest while Steven and Rachel prepare dinner. Dinner is freeze dried lasagna and chicken pot pie. We have a little bit more than we needed. Still it is better to have too much than not enough.

By this time, the sky is darkening. But even more which we are aware of is that it is getting cold. Around 8:20, Steven retreats to his hammock while Rachel and I duck into our tent. Even in the tent and sleeping bag, the temperature gets a bit brisk until the bag warms up. I read for a bit and then go to sleep around 9:00.

Trail Lesson: Realize what is important in your life.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
At home and McDonalds	Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, Nutella	Freeze dried lasagna and chicken pot pie	Clif Bar, GORP, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Clark Range From Dewey Point

The Gunsight

Ribbon Falls

McGurk Meadows

Clouds Rest and Half Dome

El Capitan

Flowers and Plants

Snow Plants

Friday, May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024 - Wawona Meadow

Title: May 10, 2024 - Wawona Meadow

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Wawona Parking Lot

Trail: Wawona Meadows Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance: 4.06 miles 1

Start Time: 1:34

End Time: 4:16

Travel Time: 2:42 (1.50 mph)

Moving Time: 2:23 (1.70 mph)

Elevation Rise: 461'

Descent: 480‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,257'

GPS Tracks

¹Steven’s Strava had 4.2 miles.

Poppies and Lupine

Description:

Today is going to be a full day. I slept well and got up at 6:30; Sherri got up shortly afterwards at 7. She has an 8am dentist appointment. Then I have my Osher Book Club between 9:30 and 11:00. We are discussing a book called Untold Power about Edith Wilson, Woodrow Wilson’s wife. I am ready to go at 11:02. We actually leave at 11:15.

I think it will take about an hour and a half to get to Wawona. I am wrong. Sherri is driving and will drive us all the way up to Wawona. But my timing did not account for a half an hour wait to get into Yosemite. So we get there about 1:15. After visiting the bathroom, we are ready to go. I ask at the Visitor Center about the weather. I am told there is a warning about Thunderstorms.

We started walking about 1:35. But even before I have traveled a few feet, there is lupine and poppies blooming. So beautiful, just waiting for a picture to be taken. Sherri, Steven, Korra and Friday have crossed the highway and start walking. As I catch up with them, I realize that maybe my hamstring may not be too much of an issue today. But we will see at the end of the walk.

Gary among the dogwood

We have walked this loop many times. So the terrain and route is very familiar. I will not include too much description about the trail.

More flowers are seen. I think there is a bumblebee on some apple blossoms. About a mile later, the dogwoods start-they keep going almost all the way until we get back to the parking area. In the meantime, there are butterflying flittering by. We also see a lizard trying to pretend that he is not there.

Lunch Time

Like any good walk, we also want to stop and enjoy a bite of lunch. There is a favorite rock where we have eaten at before. So we stop there, eat, rest, and enjoy the blossoms around us. The dogs seem to also enjoy the rest.

Dogwood

We are just a little less than half way around. A family with a couple of dogs pass us by. They do not get too far behind them for most of the rest of the trip. Steven and I discussed last night’s book group-the book was She-Hulk Goes to Murderworld. This helps to keep the steps flying by.

I do not know if it is the beauty of the dogwoods giving Friday motivation, but she makes it about three miles before she starts to get tired. Steven has been carrying her carrier. In goes Friday. She rides high on Steven’s back, looking out over her subjects. I also realize that my hamstring must be much better as it is felt only a little bit. Not enough to drag me down. Still I am mindful not to stress it out too much.

Creek Crossing, Sherri Style

When we come back to the parking lot, I go by the Visitor Center, primarily to use the facilities. But I also asked my new favorite volunteer, Colleen, about the trail to Alder Falls. She says that it is free with no restrictions. Maybe a few tree falls.

Steven and Friday

We left the parking lot about 4:40. Sherri saw a BBQ place in North Fork. The place is called, simply enough, North Fork American BBQ.There seems to be some confusion.Sherri orders the pulled pork sandwich-called the Carolina Pig, while both Steven and I order Tri-Tip Sandwiches. We were thinking that the bill was a bit high for what we ordered. Sherri gets hers, but instead of two Tri-Tips and out comes three. That explains the bill. We get an apology. We go ahead and take the third sandwich as a to-go. We arrive home a few minutes before 7, in time for Jeopardy.