March 3, 2021 - Badger Pass

 

Title: March 3, 2021 - Badger Pass
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's 

Trail head:  Badger Pass Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing
Trail: Glacier Point Road, Dewey Point Ridge Trail
Destination: Top Knoll on Ridge Trail
Distance:  2.60 miles ¹

 
Start Time: 12:45
End Time:    3:51
Travel Time:  3:05 (0.84 mph)
Moving Time:  2:01 (1.29 mph)
Elevation Rise:  486'
Descent: 482‘
Maximum Elevation: 7,648'
GPS Tracks
 ¹Tracks are from the Garmin 60csx instead of my wrist GPS, a Foretex 401.

Description:

Sherri getting snowshoes on

Once again it is just Sherri and myself. Rose and Betty have other obligations. But unlike last week, we are a little bit better prepared. We are going up to Badger Pass area, about a two hour ride. We probably should have gotten a little earlier start than 10:15.

On the way up, we talk some about truth. Yes, there is that Truth which as a Christian, I believe is Jesus and from which all other truth derives from. But in this day of our culture, we do have a lot of different perceptions about what truth looks like. This may depend on who is speaking, at least that is what I see. If it is one of our political leaders or even religious leaders speaking, we tend to evaluate the “truth” of what they are saying by our own perceptions. And then Sherri got a good one in about someone’s“truth” coming out of their ass. I had just read in the Old Testament of this exact thing happening. Sherri did not see the humor in that.

This keeps us occupied for most of the trip up to Yosemite, stopping briefly in Wawona, arriving at Badger Pass around 12:15. We ate our lunch in the car, got on our snowshoes and were off by 12:45.

The day looks a bit dismal. Cloudy skies, but the forecast only calls for cold. It was 37^o

The Knoll We Will Climb

when we stepped away from the car. I had asked Sherri how energetic does she feel? Not too much of a definite answer. So we will play it by ear. Our initial route is up the Glacier Point Road. This is the main passageway for most winter travelers. You can tell that it is: cold, not snowed in over a month and many people have traveled this route. How might you ask? Over half of the road is pretty hard and another couple of degrees, it would be very hard to travel without spikes of some type.

 

Mt Hoffman

We go up the road about half a mile till we reach the top. This is the dividing ridge between Grouse Creek to the west and Bridalveil Creek to the east. Here I ask Sherri the same question, how energetic are you? She said that she would follow me. So after we walked over a 5’ diameter fallen tree, we headed on the Ridge Trail for Dewey Point.

The Ridge Trail is a difficult route for cross-country skiers. The trail dances between trees and has several bumps. Also in a few places it is steep enough that we see where the skiers have side stepped up slopes. Then to add to the “fun” trees are down from a windstorm a month and half ago. But as snowshoers, we only had to contend with going up the hill-a bit of huffing and puffing. Also because of the lack of snow, time and narrowness of the ;ath, any ski tracks have been nearly wiped out. So no need to show proper etiquette and avoid ski tracks.

 

 

Gary

We get to the top of where the trail goes. There is a nice area without trees. But at the end is still the forest, blocking a good deal of the view. Still through openings we can see Mt Hoffman, North Dome and Clouds Rest. From here, the trail will slope down to Dewey Point. But do we really want to go down there? Particularly with pretty limited time?

The answer is No. Instead we climb a little ways to the top of the knoll. It is a fun walk on snow with only a track or two. We do not use the tracks to guide us. When we get to the top, I make a comment to Sherri that the “view from here is almost beautiful”. This is not knocking the area, there is a quietness, serenity being in the snow with no one else area. There is a quietness which is unbroken by humans, except for ourselves. But the almost beautiful comment is that I can see where El Cap is, but not really able to see it, or the Devil’s Dance Floor-ditto. It is like that and if it was not for the trees, the vista would be magnificent! Do I not want the trees? I certain do want them-I just want both: the trees and the view!

 

 

Burnt Trees sheared off by the wind

We start down the slope, but instead of heading east to the trail, we go more south, following the ridge down. Very nice going over snow which is neither too icy or too soft. We hit another patch where the trees are all dead from a fire. But when? I was initially guessing that part of the Ferguson Fire in 2018 may have been the culprit. But looking at where the fire stopped shows several miles away to the west. A Yosemite Fire history map shows a fire hitting the area in the 1980’s and then again in the 1990’s. This may have been the Steamboat Fire of 1990.

Recently downed trees

The other question is, did the January Mono Winds top all these trees at about 20’? There are logs all around, mostly under the snow. But now and again, we see a log uncovered on top. Has that tree fallen during the past month? It makes me eye the trees around us a bit closer.

But it does not change our route, well, we do weave our way around the fallen logs not covered by snow. But this is a pleasure. We keep looking at the Clark Range to the east and Horse Ridge to the south, where Ostrander Lake is. It is even a better view than on top, still not unobstructed. Enjoyable and we gawk for a while. 

 I am concerned about how steep the slope back down to Glacier Point Road. When we went by it coming in, it looked pretty steep. But there is a nice ravine to the southwest side which we follow down. This is fun! We make it down to the road. And now it is a half mile back to the car, downhill. So it is much easier. Two backpackers pass us going in. We talk for a minute before they go on.

By the time we get to the car, it is right about 4pm. We stopped in Oakhurst for a burger at Carl’s Jr. Then back home, arriving at 6:30, just in time for our Wednesday night family Zoom time. A good day

 

Extra Photo's

North Dome

Looking across to the Cascade Drainage and the Devil's Dance Hall

Tree on top of knoll

Sherri

Interesting looking stumps

Horse Ridge

Horse Ridge

Clark Range

Sheared Off Trees

Horse Ridge

October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point

 

Title: October 26, 2020 - Glacier Point
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's :

Hike Info:

Type: Car 

Destination: Taft Pt and Sentinel Dome

Actual Destination:  Glacier Point

Description:

We got a Yosemite Park pass so that we could go up on October 31st. So we need to make a trip up to Yosemite. Besides, it is good after my birthday trip for a now much older man. Such hardships we endure, woe is us. We are planning to hike over to Taft Pt and up Sentinel Dome. A loop we have done several items. While well within our capability, it will stretch us a bit in our current condition.

View from Washburn Pt

We don’t get an early start, but a start which should get us up there by about 10am. It is a quick drive up. The line at the entrance station is a bit long, but not by Yosemite standards. We make a quick stop at Chinquapin. And then go up the Glacier Point Road.

Oh, Oh! As we approach the parking area for Taft Pt/Sentinel Dome, we see nothing but cars parked on the side of the road, leading up to the parking area. Does not look very promising. After a quick consultation, we decided that area is too crowded for us. Now what to do? For a short term solution, we will go on to Glacier Point and see how crowded that area is.

Horse Fire

On our way to Glacier, we stop at Washburn Point which is pretty open. We are a minority mask wearers, but there is a lot of room, so that does not seem to be an issue. Washburn Point is my preferred overlook. I think it is because we can see far into the backcountry. I can see places I have been and dreama bit about walking there again. Also there are places my feet have not traveled yet. I can only imagine what they like. Looking east, the view is pretty clear. I gaze that way for a while. Half Dome is dominae, and Vernal and Nevada falls are there. But the Clark Range with Mt Starr King is a wonder.

Snow Creek Trail

And then farther back we see the Crest. Such a wonderful view. So glad not that many people stop here. Also, when we look south, we see the Horse Fire on Horse Ridge, right before Ostrander Lake. Actually, Sherri spots it first-hopefully it is because I am distracted with everything else. This fire was started by lightning in August. The Park is letting it burn itself out.

Onward down to Glacier Point, not far. The parking lot is maybe about a quarter full. Looks like we score. We go out to the point. Yosemite Valley is always impressive and particularly from Glacier. There is a haze coming in from the Creek and SQF Complex fires. I start to pick out various places-Camp Curry, Happy Isles, Snow Creek Trail, and where the Hidden Falls probably is. When I look at Ahwahnee Meadows, I am seeing something man made which I cannot figure out. It is only when I realized that it was a Christmas ornament.

 

 

Lunch Time

We have lunch a little ways off, facing out to the Valley. Very pleasant. After a stop at a bathroom way at the end of the parking lot-it is a long lot. So we did get a little bit of a walk in. We started back up the road thinking maybe if the Taft Pt parking area is not busy, doing that walk. Nope. So on we go.

Mysterious design on Ahwahnee Meadow

Sherri wants to stop at the Mono Meadows Trailhead. So we do. Not a great view, but looking through the trees there are places which you just wish for a bit broader of a view. We just wander in an arc around the area and see what we could see. Oh yeah, we were not sure where the trail was-that is a common problem with me. I can wander many places in the backcountry and find where I should be pretty easily. But finding the trail at the trailhead? I have a history of having issues there.

Time to move on. We stopped in Oakhurst at Carl Jr’s. but the power has been out. They said to wait around for about half an hour. We decided not to-we can almost be to Fresno by that time. We order a take-out dinner from Red Robin in Riverpark and have a content dinner.

 

 Extra Photo's

Horse Fire

Closer View of the Horse Fire

Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls and beyond from Washburn Pt

View from Mono Meadow Trailhead-Half Dome on left

The Clark Range "humps" from Mono Meadow Trailhead

Sherri

December 31, 2019 - Badger Pass

 

Title: December 31, 2019 - Badger Pass
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Trail head: Badger Pass Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail: Glacier Point Road, Old Glacier Point Road, and a crossover trail

Destination: Unknown destination when we started

Distance: 4.01 miles

Start Time: 11:07

End Time:     1:59

Travel Time:  2:51 (1.41 mph)

Moving Time:  2:04 (1.94 mph)

Elevation Rise: 728 ' ¹

Descent: 735‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,493'

GPS Tracks

 ¹The GPS did not properly record the elevation. The elevations shown is from Google Earth.

Description:

I got up a bit before 7. By the time 8am came around, we were ready to go up to the mountains to snowshoe. The we is Steven, Sherri and Gary. We stop in Oakhurst at Judy’s donuts for coffee (Sherri) and donuts (Sherri and Steven-I got a few nibbles of Sherri’s donut). Then onward to Yosemite.

Steven on snowshoes

Our plan was to go up to Mariposa Grove. But when we got into the park, the area leading into Mariposa Grove looked pretty barren of snow. Also we were not sure if we could just drive up to the Grove, if the shuttles were running or if we would need to walk it. So we went on up 41. It was not until we got close to Chinquapin was there a decent covering of snow.

Summit Meadow

 

We stopped at Chinquapin for a bathroom break. There was a vendor doing a pretty brisk business in snow chains. We already had chains-but their would have been cheaper here. They charge $40 to install with cash and $50 on charge. With All-Wheel/4-wheel drive, we are not needing chains right now. So this is more informational.

Steven conquering a fallen tree

The road up to Badger Pass is not bad and we are able to park close to the take off point to the Glacier Road trail. Glacier Point Road is not plowed beyond Badger Pass in the Winter and the concessionaire grooms the snow on the road making for relatively easy travel on ski’s or snowshoes.

We start in a little after eleven, going up the Glacier Point Road. What we will do today remains to be seen. The first ⅔ of a mile s a gentle uphill then down to Summit Meadow. There, we stop and have lunch. Now to figure out how much to do today. I suggest cutting over to the Old Glacier Point Road and maybe going up to Tempo Dome. We agree on this.

Crossing the meadow is easy--a well beaten track. Then we climb a ridge. Steven charges right up it and even doges a skier coming down (the skier was well under control and there was no danger.) I on the other hand was stopping to enjoy a fresh breath of air. This went on for the climb-while it looks like only about 150-200’ and a third of a mile, on snowshoes it felt more than that. Still there is something about being in the snow with few other people around us.

Horse Ridge

After the climb, we come to a junction-not the Old Glacier Point Road, but another trail which is not on the map. Looks like it runs beside the Old Glacier Point Road. We have a little while and still some energy, so we head east on it. This does away with Tempo Dome, but I did not think we would be doing that after this climb. It is a pleasant walk, except for having to circumnavigating a fallen tree. We stop when we see a view of Horse Ridge. And that is about the limit of our time. I am trying to be back at the car by 2:00pm.

So we trudge back. Steven still has tons of energy as he zooms ahead. Of course, we have to go around that same downed tree, but now we know how to do it. Then it is going past the junction we came up on. By the time we get to the Old Glacier Point Road, Steven is long gone. But at the junction we stop and talk with a couple for about ten minutes. Not sure if we needed the rest or what, but it felt good to stop for a few minutes.

Gary, Steven, Sherri

Then it is down the Old Glacier Point Road. This is also a groomed trail leading us right down into the Badger Pass ski area. Once we get to the parking lot, it is about a third of a mile back to the car, where Steven is patiently waiting for us.

We still had time to eat, so we stopped in Oakhurst for some Mexican food-Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant. I had a wet burrito-maybe my taste buds are aging, but the spiciness seemed a bit hot for my taste buds. Steven and Sherri enjoyed their plates. Mine tasted good. Then it was back to Fresno and the showers. It was good that we did this walk as it shows improvement in my conditioning.

Extra Photo's

Snow on tree

Gary has a friend

Steven enjoying the site of Horse Ridge

Gary picking his way through the snow

Steven with Gary in the baackground

Gary and Steven

Light through winter trees