Gary-Summer: Horsetail

Showing posts with label Horsetail. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

May 23, 2023 - Yosemite Valley

Title: May 23, 2023 - Yosemite Valley

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

Hike Info:

Type: Car

Description:

Steve, Connie, Sherri and Gary

A couple of friends of ours, Connie and Steve-no, not my Steven, have not been to Yosemite for a very long time. While I was at Delilah last week, Sherri invited them to Yosemite. Today is the day.

The last several days my lighting report has taken over an hour to do each day with over a hundred strikes each day. Today, there were only five so it was a breeze. I even had time to tear up some boxes for recycling.

Bridalveil Creek

We leave our house at 8:15 and get to Connie and Steve’s place about 8:40. I then drove us to Oakhust where we stopped for donuts at Judy’s. Then off to Yosemite. On the way up, we spot some dogwoods, which gives me hope that Yosemite Valley will still have a few. The bathrooms at Chinquipin which calls us. Then it is off to the Valley.

We get to Tunnel View at 11:10. It does not disappoint. While there is a slight haze over the Valley, it is a spectacular view. Bridalveil is right there pouring tons of water, looks like a lot of spray. Of course, there is water coming off all the rocks. I play my part of being a tour guide and name various points in the Valley. They are suitably impressed with the Valley-with me, that is an open question.

Gary and Sherri found a sitting tree

We then head down to the Valley. Lately we have not stopped at Bridalveil since there was construction going on. Today we found a parking place and stopped. When finished, the new plaza area will be able to handle so many more people without trampling over everything. I think when finished the Park will have a jewel.

We walked up the path towards the Falls. Bridalveil Creek is raging! Not only is the main channel full, but all of the fingers are flowing high. Fascinating watching. The path is better graded than before. Water is running down the path, but the path has been made to have traction, so the amount of water coming down is not an issue, except for the shoes getting wet. Connie decides to hold off on going up as the spray gets more intense. Then Sherri, stop, leaving Steve and I. When we get to the top, my glasses are almost unseeable. We see the falls, sort of, take a picture and head down, soaking wet.

Before we headed up, I had seen somebody spot a climber on El Capitan.

Climbers Gear

Now that we are down, I break out my binoculars and spot the climbers. Connie finds another interesting object which turns out to be a shelter on the wall. Then another group of climbers on the east side of the Nose. This keeps us occupied for about 20 minutes.

Lunch time is way past. Where to eat?

Sentinal Creek/Falls

Sentinel Beach’s Picnic area is open, so we stop there. I had tried one road, but turned back when I saw the depth of the mud. We find a table and have our lunch, enjoying the Merced flowing about 30 yards off-a bit of a swamp around us. Good to get food in us. In the meantime, we are entertained by someone who did not turn back from the mud. They are stuck and try a bunch of tactics which all fail. They are still stuck when we leave-I do not have any good solutions except having someone pull you out. I do not have the equipment to do that.

On the way out, I hear someone call out “Gary”! It is a person whom I worked with at FUSD, Eric from REA. We talk and exchange places we have been to and what we are doing now. I am surprised to be recognized. And then we are off again.

This time to Camp Curry. The parking area is full.So I drop off Sherri, Connie and Steven, having them go on the tram. I drove through the parking lot and eventually found a place to park. I get to walk up the road to Happy Isles

Lunch at Sentinel Beach

. Along the way I stop and admire some dogwoods. As I am admiring them, a couple of Israelis ask me about getting to Mirror Lake and Half Dome. I disillusioned them about the walking up to Half Dome today-it is a 16-17 mile walk with 4,000’. They understand that it is more than just a few minute hike. They decide that maybe they would do it another day. Later today I get a bit more beta on this trip, but that is too late for these folk.

I make it up to Happy Isles and quickly find Connie, Steve and Sherri. We talk for a few minutes and a tram comes along, so we hop on that tram. Our next stop is the Ahwahnee. Today’s visit is less impressive than usual. The Ahwahnee is getting a makeover, so major parts of the place is cordoned off. Still we wander through the Great Room, but cannot go into the lounge, nor see the dining area. Even outside, it looks like the grounds has had a rough Winter. Usually they are immaculate. Now they look like my backyard.

Royal Arches Falls

As we were walking back towards the hotel, I saw a woman waving at us. We have already had a strange encounter with someone out of my past, who could this be? As we get closer we see that it is a friend named Ellen. I was on a board with her for our daughter. Also her husband, Micheal is a fellow hiker. Ellen tells us another friend, Suzanne, is in the Valley as well, hiking. I guess half of Fresno is here today as we know our hiking group, the Central Valley Hiking Group has a hike here today as well, but we do not run into them.

We now hope onto the Green Tram and head to Yosemite Falls. On the bus Sherri and I strike up a conversation with a guy who just got done hiking up Half Dome. He confirms that there is still a lot of snow, making it hard going. Also that the cables are still down. The falls are roaring and spectacular. It is a pleasant walk. The shadows are growing, but the temperature is agreeable. I am expecting to get drenched but when we get close to the bridge, we experience only a drizzle. At least at the start. Pictures get taken and the roar of the Creek is heard. What a good way to be in Yosemite.

Yosemite Creek

We now need to walk back to the Village. I think we are excited by the day, so the walk is good. Excess water from Yosemite Creek crosses our path, providing a temptation which even at the end of my seventh decades I find too hard to resist. There is a large child inside of me who wants to splash in the water. So I jump, making a splash. Unfortunately the splash was mis-directed and went up, covering Steve. Apologies made. Not sure what Steve thought of the expedition's fearless leader after that.

But we made it to a purple bus stop with no more mishap and only the additional foolishness of telling the story of Lost Arrow. When we boarded the tram, it was the same bus driver as we had two weeks ago! I make a comment and she recognizes me. Once again a good person for Yosemite to be ferrying around visitors. We make it back to Camp Curry and load up the car.

Yosemite from Valley View

But that is not the last of the stops this tour makes. First there is the stop for the viewing of Horsetail Falls. It still looked more outstanding earlier in the year. Still the spray which comes off of there is really impressive. Then we travel down the Valley to near the Pohono Bridge at Valley View. The water has come up several feet from when we were there two weeks ago. Now the water laps right at the edge of the pavement. I wonder if the Park will close the road if things really heats up? The resulting view is breath-taking, the contrast of straight up walls with the falls coming down, the still grasses with the rapid flowing river. It is just there giving a reminder of change and changelessness.

We continue on to what seems like lately our stopping place for the Valley: Fern Spring. If anything, there is more water flow now than there was two weeks ago. I cross the road and stand beside the Merced. So swift, so high. Also the water from Fern Springs is flooding the trail. I suspect there are many places where the Valley Loop trail is flooded this Spring.

And now we are off, going back to Fresno. First, we stop at Round Table Pizza in Oakhurst and devour a large pizza. We reach Fresno after 7, dropping off Connie and Steve. Then back home for a bit of a rest.

Extra Photo's

Horsetail Falls

Bridalveil Falls

Yosemite Falls

Ribbon Falls

El Capitan

Bridalveil Falls

Gary

Bridalveil Creek and mist

Horsetail Falls from the West

Sentinel Creek/Falls

Yosemite Falls

Sentinel Rock

Royal Arches Falls

Connie and Sherri crossing Yosemite Creek

Gary and Yosemite Falls

Sherri and Gary at Yosemite Falls

Sherri, Connie and Steve admiring Yosemite Falls

Bridalveil Falls

Yosemite Valley from Valley View

Bridalveil Falls

Fern Springs

Merced River at Fern Springs

Flowers and Plants-All Dogwoods

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.