Gary-Summer: Old Big Oak Flat Road

Showing posts with label Old Big Oak Flat Road. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023 - Old Wawona Road

Title: May 31, 2023 - Old Wawona Road
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Turnout a little before Bridalveil Falls

Trail: Old Wawona Road

Destination: Inspiration Point

Actual Destination: Meadow Creek

Distance: 3.20 miles

Start Time: 9:58

End Time: 1:43

Travel Time: 3:45 (0.85 mph)

Moving Time: 2:27 (1.30 mph)

Elevation Rise: 784' ¹

Descent: 735‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,486'

GPS Tracks

¹There is a significant difference between what I computed and what Google Earth shows. Google Earth shows a 1,368’ elevation gain. I think mine is closer to actual. Also Sheri’s FitBit tracker had her rising up 580’ So take your choice.

Description:

Old Wawona Road at pavement

I don’t think I have hiked the Old Wawona Road in over three years. Also it has been awhile since we walked with Rose. And as a newbie, to hiking with us-not to hiking, is our neighbor Don. I am concerned all the way around. First, am I in good enough shape to go up 1300’? The good thing about this trail is that we can always turn around if I get too winded. Then there are a couple of creeks which will probably be higher than we have seen them before. How high is the question? Will they be crossable? The answer we will find out.

I got up at 5:30 and relaxed for a little while, then had breakfast, and got ready. A little after 7, Don comes over and the three of us-Sherri being the third-leaves to pick up Rose. We get to her house at 7:30. Jeff, Rose’s husband greets us. We introduce Don and Rose to each other. After a few minutes of talking, we drove off towards Yosemite Valley, stopping only at the entrance station and Chinquipin.

Snow beneath that stack

We turned around at the Bridalveil Falls

What the road looks like a third of a mile in

parking lot-under construction-and park at a wide place right across from the Old Wawona Road. We get ourselves ready-putting on boots, setting our poles to the right length, and then putting on our backpacks. The first part of the road has gotten a lot more rocky. Just being careful not to turn an ankle.

Don is definitely in the best shape of all of us as he jumps ahead. But we do pretty good as we go up the road. The emphasis is on up. There are plenty of reasons to stop. We can look across the Valley to see Ribbon Falls and a multitude of unnamed streams coming down the side of the slopes.

With Don in the lead, he spots what looks like a path looping back, But it almost immediately stops at a dry creek. Wonder what that means. Also at this dry creek is a large area of snow. What is that here?Looks like it was covered with dirt and leaves. But we continue on our way up the road,’

We come to the second unnamed creek. This one has some water, so we only get the bottom of our boots wet. I am

Meadow Brook

staying back so Don gets to examine the next obstacle. This time it is a creek named Meadow Brook. When we crossed this creek before, it was dry. Today, it is a pretty good challenge. The thing which makes it a bit daunting is that it has washed part of the road away. The water then flys over the edge on its way to the Valley floor. Pretty sure I do not want to join the water on this. Don goes up high and is studying the situation. When along comes three young females-for an almost 70 years old, young is about 20 or so. They examine the situation from the other side and decide to cross where Don is. He helps them. When we discuss the situation, the take is that it would be doable with some risk. Our boots and socks would get wet and it would be uncomfortable for the rest of the hike. So we turned around there.

The way down is a lot easier. I stopped by the place which Don saw and was wondering about what it could be-it really looked like a trail and not a bad one. So I went up the dry creek to the trail level. There were some fallen trees

Unnamed trail

blocking the way. Don joined me and we picked our way through the branches. Yep, there is an honest to goodness trail there. Don goes and gets Rose and Sherri. When they come back we start to explore this trail.

I have walked marked trails which were a lot worse to travel and to follow than this one. It gets me to wondering about how long ago this trail was laid down. Usually these unmarked trails are overgrown with shrubs and trees across them, but this one is clean. It is a puzzlement. It wanders away from the road with a slight decline. As we travel, I begin to speculate that it will end up at the Bridalveil parking area. As we are the only ones on this trail, it is quiet and nice being away from everyone when I know how close people are just a quarter mile away. I comment from one of Sherri’s authors:

We sly hikers know that just because a trail vanishes

from the map doesn't mean it vanishes from the face of the earth.

- John McKinney, A Walk Along Land's End, pg 163

Evidently I must be either more observant or more curious than the others. I noticed two things. First, a fresh pile of bear scat by the trail-I quickly look around to see if the Ursus americanus is still around, but do not see it. A little ways further, there is cairn, a duck on what looks like the place where water has run off. Now why would there be something like that? So I wander off, following the little rivelet and come across more ducks. Eventually I find a great view of Bridalveil. This puts me about ten minutes behind the rest. They dutifully are waiting for me.

Gary and Rose on unnamed trail

We now have confirmation that this trail leads us to the Bridalveil Parking area. But it is closed to the public, except on the way we came in. How do we get beyond the barricades? Don sets off cross-country (what is going cross-country when you are on an unmarked trail?) I tag along, but he quickly outpaces me. I try to keep contact with Sherri and Rose. I have spotted a trail to the Falls below, but there is a rather steep decline. Then I see Don on the trail coming back to the parking lot. I make my way back to Sherri and Rose-Don beats me there.

The report is that what Don was following is blocked off. So we descend into the parking area and go up the old path, hoping we look inconspicuous. Nobody challenges us, so I guess we are successful. We set over a barrier and now are legit. Don went up to the Falls overlook. I had been up there last week so I did not go and Sherri and Rose did not seem inclined to go that way. We found a place below the path to eat, by the creek. A good place. A Stellar Jay tries to make friends with Rose and her lunch, but evidently Rose does not want to be that friendly.

Don on his log

From comments earlier, I think we are ready to go back to Fresno. Well that is except for Don. In his heart he would really like to tackle the Old Big Oak Flat Road. But that is in the sunshine and even I do not like the idea of all of the radiated heat on us. After lunch, we tried taking a shortcut to meet the road. This works out fine, mostly. Zeno may have been right about how you travel, but even in showing you can never get someplace by his dichotomy paradox, I can show that you will always have obstacles getting anyplace. In our case, the going was easy until we got

Cascade Falls

close to the road. There is a tiny branch of Bridalveil Creek runoff which is blocking our route. Nothing insurmountable. We just did not want to get our feet wet-remember running into this earlier? Don finds a log he can get on. Rose is able to use his technique, but Sherri does not want to. So Sherri and I splash through the creek.

Now it is only a third of a mile up the road back to the car-how uneventful. We go through Wawona Tunnel, but stop on the overlook a mile later. Here Don takes me down onto a shelf where I can get a full view of Cascade Falls. That is simply awesome-in the older sense of the word. I find Don talking with a father-daughter team from Phoenix. They are looking for a place to go kayaking in the park. Neither of us can think of a good place, so Don recommends Bass Lake, close enough to the Park.

We get back into the car and head back to Oakhurst, stopping at Reimers for some well deserved ice cream. A reward for a hike, even if the hike was different than expectations. We make it back to Fresno, dropping off Rose and Don, by 5:30.

While today was not much in the way of miles or elevation gain or even accomplishment, it was a good day. We discovered a new trail. Even more so it was good to walk with Rose and Don-and of course, Sherri.

Trail Lesson: Be open to a different adventure, even if it is a trail you have been on before or in our daily lives.

Background

That unmarked trail? I could not find it on older maps. As I was talking with a ranger later, I am thinking this may be a new trail they have not opened up yet. The Old Wawona Road Trail got removed from maps several years ago. I noticed Thursday in Wawona that it is back on a map. We will find out in a couple of months if my speculation is correct. I hope so.

Meadow Brook Also found out that this creek is the source for one of the hidden falls of Yosemite, Silver Strand Falls.

Extra Photo's

Bridalveil Falls

El Capitan and Ribbon Falls

An unnamed creek

Ribbon Falls

Unnamed Trail

Bridalveil Falls

Cascade Falls

Animals

Flowers and Plants

Saturday, April 30, 2016

April 30, 2016 - Yosemite Valley Loop-West Section

Title: April 30, 2016 - Yosemite Valley Loop-West Section
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Background

Trail head: Bridalveil Falls Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Yosemite Valley Loop Trail

Destination:Loop

Distance: 11.95 miles

Start Time: 9:19

End Time: 3:16

Travel Time: 5:57 (2.01 mph)

Moving Time: 4:44 (2.53 mph)

Elevation Rise: 962'

Maximum Elevation: 4,132'

Description:

Deep calls to deep

in the roar of your waterfalls

all your waves and breakers

have swept over me.

Psalm 42: 7

When we were around Yosemite Falls, the thundering of the water falling onto the rocks has this psalm making sense. But I think I am getting ahead of myself here.

It is the second meetup hike which we have organized in the past two Saturdays. Having not done too many hikes in the last six months and not been the organizer for too many of them either, this is amazing. We met all 18 of our fellow hikers-making 20 total-at Eddie's Bakery in Fresno and then left for Oakhurst right at 6:40. When we got to Oakhurst's Starbucks, the other meetup group was just leaving. They are going up to the base of Ribbon Falls and then to a place called Hidden Falls-I will need to figure out where that is. But for now, it is on to Bridalveil Falls parking area.

Happy Hikers

We arrive at the parking area a little after 9am, having waited in line at the park's southern entrance. We get ourselves together and take off. I would normally go to the east first, and then cross Bridalveil Creek after crossing Southside Drive. But with the water running so full, I decide to walk a quarter mile along the road and hit the trail after the creek. A ranger watches us, but does not disturb us, so I guess we are OK. Right from the get go, we have a nice view of Bridalveil Falls. Then hit the Valley Loop trail going towards the Pohono Bridge. The pace is good and I am walking comfortably. That is until we passed Bridalveil Meadow and had to cross a little creek. Some crossed on a log, I just picked a couple rocks to hop across. But this is sign of things to come. After that the hiking took off again.The long line of people behind me is fun to watch as it snakes along the trail. There is beauty in a column of content and happy hikers.

First Creek Crossing

At the Pohono Bridge, we stop long enough to watch the Merced flow by and I give a snarky answer to a fellow hiker about "isn't the Merced flowing the wrong way?" (my answer was that this is one of the few places in the USA where a river flows uphill. OK Gary, that is bad form.) Now we start our eastwardly journey. Within a half of a mile we stop for an outhouse break-yes there is a single outhouse there by the Valley View turnout.

We pass by Black Springs where a whole bunch of tube ferns grow and onward. I am hiking with Bruce, Charles, Meagan, and a few others, just enjoying the chatter. It is amazing how little you exert when you enjoy the people around you. Also the simple things become more alive.

Ribbon Falls From Cathedral Rocks

Ribbon Falls is now pretty close and we see little rivulets crossing the trail and sometimes using the trail as a passageway. We also catch glimpses of the falls through the trees. Ribbon Falls is one of those "now you see it, now you don't" type of falls. During the Spring it takes your breath away-the fall of water is more than any of the single Yosemite Falls. But you have to catch it when you can. But when you can, think of a ribbon coming down the side of a cliff. If only it was more catch-able, it would be a star.

Ribbon Falls

Now we cross the road to the LogPile, Yosemite Valley's residence place where they get firewood. This is also the start or end of the Old Big Oak Flat Road, which the other meetup group went up to Ribbon Falls-we even see their cars there.

Log Surfing

Greg with a helping hand

Sherri by the Merced

But now we cross the main part of Ribbon Creek, or I should say we attempt to cross it. The water was running pretty good and there was no good way across, except for a large log. The log in itself would be OK to cross, but there was broken branches on it which made things a bit scary. Like what happens if I fall and perforate my delicate body? I suspect I would be left there as a warning of do not cross this log. But we all make it across and do not leave anybody behind.

Merced River with Clouds Rest and Half Dome

This is not the last bit of water we hit, but it was the worst. Now we travel past the toe of El Capitan and cross the road. We look at El Cap for climbers and Bruce finds one close to Horsetail Falls. Horsetail is going pretty nicely with the rain which came in during the past couple of days. Our trail goes along the river and is pretty smooth, so we make fast time, that is until we come to another creek. This one is manageable and we all get across without a problem. All along the river we get such good views up and down the Valley. Hard to say what is the best looking up the Valley (or down), looking up the sides of the cliffs, or around at your immediate surroundings. All make you appreciate the creative workings which made Yosemite.

Horsetail Falls

I talked with Kelly for a ways, then Graham and Charles. We now approach Camp 4. This time the group pretty much goes where we should-the last time I took a group on this, people scattered with one even starting to go UP the Yosemite Falls trail. And now that we are close to Yosemite Falls, we start to hear the thundering booms of water falling 2,400'. The thundering sounds of water is so good to hear from the last several years of there hardly being any spray. But the other thing which full falls brings is people who want to enjoy this sight. So our picnic area is taken, so we find some logs and enjoy lunch to the side.

Yosemite Falls

After lunch we talk about different routes: going through Swinging Bridge-a bit shorter, or past the chapel which gives a good view of Yosemite Falls. Eight of us, including Sherri and I go via the chapel with Bruce leading the rest past Yosemite Lodge and Swinging Bridge. Cook's Meadow gives the normal, "I can't believe how Half Dome looks" view, it is when we swing past the chapel and walk parallel to the South Wall which gets the real attention. Yosemite Falls is there in all of its splendor-all three of them can be seen. During this time I have been walking with Dana and her friend Daphne-a first time with us. Good general conversation. We move along the Valley Loop and get to the Four Mile Trail jct to wait for the Swinging Bridge group.

But while we wait, we get treated to the eye candy of Sentinel Creek Falls. This is another ephemeral falls which rarely gets to show off its majesty. But today, we have only treat, no trick. The treat is a gushing falls where sometimes we would only see dry, dark rock or maybe a bit of spray. At the top, there is a bit of cascades, followed by a long drop of water to break on rocks 2,000' below where it started.

Sentinel Falls

Final Creek Crossing

After ten minutes the other group arrives and we start the last leg of our journey. The trail takes us by the edges of Cathedral Rocks. There is another creek-from Sentinel Falls-which needs to be crossed. We pick our way across, getting a little bit of our shoes wet. Until this time I had been talking with Jessica-interesting finding out about the people you are hiking with. But before long is a bit of burnt forest around the Taft Toe area. The question arises about when was this burnt and how come? Poor Diana, Rebecca and AJ who now listen to me talk about prescribed burns and then onto backpacking for the next two miles. Meagan gets smart and flies pass me.

Northern part of Cathedral Rocks

Going around the edge of Cathedral Rocks is the most uphill on the whole hike and even then it is not much. Once around it, we descend down to Bridalveil Creek and shortly back to the cars. Good thing. My legs were starting to go rubbery after 12 miles. 12 of us decide to stop and eat at El Cid's in Oakhurst. Pleasant after hike meal, lots of conversation and enjoyable banter before getting back to Fresno.