April 30, 2026 - East Side of Yosemite Valley

Title: April 30, 2026 - East Side of Yosemite Valley
Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Camp Curry Parking Lot

Trail: Valley Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance:  5.83 miles 1

Start Time: 11:26

End Time:    4:10

Travel Time:  4:44  (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 2:42   (2.16 mph)

Elevation Rise: 591 '

Descent: 595‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,072'

Minimum Elevation: 3,992'

GPS Tracks

 ¹The actual GPS track includes two times on the tram. I have removed those times from these figures.

Description:

Looking up the Merced from the Fens

I got up at 6:20 wondering if I was going to go on today’s hike in Yosemite Valley. Reason why I am unsure? Yesterday I had my COVID-19 vaccine. Usually this only leaves me with a sore arm. But last night I was really sore and tired.

Sherri comes in and wonders if I am going. I have a weak Yes. It will be just Sherri and I. We take off at 8:15 with me driving. It goes pretty smoothly until after Oakhusrt. Hazardous trees are being removed from along the side of the road. Looked like a guy is just about to fall one when we pass by. But this puts us behind a long line which plays into when we get to the entrance station. We get into a line which is about half an hour long, finally entering the Park at 9:40. Lesson learned is to start earlier. There is a stop at the Glacier Point Road. The lot is full with bicyclists as the road is closed to motorized traffic, but bikes are allowed. We finally get to Camp Curry’s parking lot at 11:05.

 

 

Gary, the Hiker

Our boots hit the dirt at 11:25. Our first stop will be Happy Isles. We walk to the backpacker’s parking lot, then take off on a trail which leads us away from the road, not that there is traffic on it. A backpacking couple with a foreign accent came upon us. We talk-they are heading up to Cloud’s Rest with the goal of Sunrise Creek tonight. That is adventuresome, particularly since they are starting around noon. But they are in the same situation as what I have been in: wondering if they are on the right trail? Yes. I tell them how to get on the JMT.

Tenaya Creek Bridge

Lost Arrow

We stop briefly at Happy Isles before going on. There is the obligatory stop on the bridge to look up the Merced. Then we continue on the Valley Loop on the east side of the Valley. While eyeballing a dogwood, another hiker passed by, and we exchanged greetings. Then he stopped and we talked for a time. He talks about his wandering, having visited several national parks in California. He is from Illinois and has been on this wander for over a month.. I am surprised that he is in his 50;s. He explains that he is retired military and just in his 50’s. We probably talked for about 15 minutes when I realized that Sherri had gone on. My new friend told me to tell her that Lyle is to be blamed for holding me up. In reality, we both enjoyed talking and exchanging stories.*

When I catch up with Sherri, she is at the Tenaya Creek Bridge. We crossed it and found a nice log by Tenaya Creek to have lunch. Around 1:15, we started walking again. The big decision is do we go to Mirror Lake or go further around the Valley. We chose to go further around the Valley. 

 

 

Base of Yosemite Falls

We got off on a paved path which will run us around past the backpacker’s camp. A few steps later a bicyclist comes by and says there are a couple of bear cubs ahead. Oh, be still my heart! Will we actually see a bear? We walked aways and there was no bear. But about ten minutes later a couple more people told us about a bear. And then we see the crowd gawking-a sure sign something is up. And there are two cubs and a mama bear scurrying away. I guess we are really too late for a good sighting.

We walk under the Royal Arches and its falls. This takes us past the Ahwahnee cottages and to the hotel itself. There we relaxed for a little while, enjoying Glacier Point to the south and contemplating how much more we wanted to do. Sherri would like to get close to Yosemite falls. We missed the tram, so we started to walk towards the Falls. We got to the Village. Sherri’s foot was starting to bother her and there was a tram bench for us to sit on. While we wait, I study a tram map-remember this because it gets into play later on.

The tram lets us off at the start of a quarter mile walk to the Falls. We go counter-clockwise to get to the falls-it is a bit dryer this way as well as a gentler incline. The spray is not too bad and we cross the bridge without getting soaked. Standing in the viewing area, we get to talking with a couple from upper Michigan. Fascinating how hiking we can talk with people, finding out different things. It just reinforces that talking with strangers can be good for us.

Yosemite Falls

We leave Yosemite Falls and walk back to the Northside Drive. Instead of waiting for the bus-it goes all the way around the Valley as far as the Pohono Bridge before getting back to Camp Curry, about a 45 minute trip. Even with that time, maybe we should have taken it.

But we did have a good walk through Cook Meadow. Looking east gives us a great view towards Half Dome. Plus the walk is relaxing. I thought I had seen where there was a tram stop at Sentinel Bridge. But when we got there, we did not see a sign for the tram. There was a guy dumping trash. So we asked him about the tram. He said no, but gave us directions to the nearest tram stop-over at the other large parking area.

We walked over there and a few minutes later, we were resting ourselves on the tram as it went past Housekeeping to Camp Curry. It is good to be back at the car. We shed our boots and take off. There is not a whole bunch of traffic, except around Wawona where we follow a pretty slow car. The next question is where to eat? I suggested El Cid in Oakhurst. Sherri did not object. It was a filling dinner. We made it back to our house by 7:30, a bit tired, but glad we went.

 

Background

*A few days after our walk, the New York Times asked the question, Do you talk with strangers? My kids would say when do I not talk with strangers?

Extra Photo's

Half Dome from Cook's Meadow 

Lower Yosemite Falls

Sierra Point

Lower Yosemite Falls

 

The Ahwahnee and Glacier Point

Upper Yosemite Falls

Sierra Point from Cook's Meadow

 
Flowers and Plants

Dogwood

Dogwood

May 11, 2025 - Yosemite Valley

 

Title: May 11, 2025 - Yosemite Valley
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head:  Yosemite Parking  Area

Trail: Cook Meadow, Valley Loop Trail

Destination:  None

Actual Destination: Mirror Lake 

Distance:  4.21 miles

Start Time:  11:15

End Time:     2:45

Travel Time: 3:40  (1.15 mph)

Moving Time: 2:05 (2.02 mph)

Elevation Rise: 784 '

Descent: 620‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,247'

GPS Track

Description:

It was the typical Spring day in Yosemite

Ribbon Falls

, with some exceptions. First, this is Mother’s Day. Second, all five of us were planning to go to Yosemite to celebrate this day. Third, Yosemite is not as crowded as expected. One of those did not play out. That would be Rachel did not go with us-Friday, the dog, was not doing well. So she stayed home.

Like I said, it is Mother’s Day. I got up around 5:45 and made pancakes for all of us. By 8:00, we were already ready to go. I am driving. Nothing exciting happens on the drive. Except Sherri does realize she forgot her phone. So no picture taking for her today. There is only one car in front of us at the entrance station. So we get in quickly. We do stop at Chinquapin. There was a German couple and we talked. They are going to Glacier Point. For the first time today, I played tour guide and told them about things they can see on the road. Then off we go into the Valley.

There is a lot of parking in front of Bridalveil Falls. We parked and walked up towards the Falls. There are dogwoods in bloom. We look up towards the Falls. They are coming over the lip and catching the sunlight. Not only that, mist is flying upwards, swirling around in the winds the falling water makes. This is one of the things which make Yosemite Valley special. Sherri and I go only part way up; Andrea and Steven go all the way up and get drenched. But by the time we get down to the car they are dry. It is that kind of day.

 

Bridalveil Falls

 

Then along Southside drive we go. A year and a half ago, Andrea and Lawrence got married at Cathedral Beach. The Merced River is up close to being full. The beach they were married on is covered. Andrea looks like she is going out, but her wisdom prevents her and she is content to gaze at the area.


Then it is onward. I am anticipating parking at Curry Village, but it is full and traffic control waves us on to the Yosemite Parking Area. Time to recalibrate today’s walk. Sherri wants to go past Yosemite Falls. This makes route planning a bit easier.

Bridalveil Mist

We head towards Cooks Meadow. This gives us a view of the eastern end of the Valley-nothing like it in my 71 years of experience. Half Dome to the east, Yosemite Falls to the North and Glacier Point to the South. So much natural splendor.

We cross the Meadow going towards Yosemite Falls. The walking is leisurely. We climb up to the bridge over Yosemite Creek. Once we get to the bridge, there is some spray, but not really a lot-at least by Spring’s standards. Usually at this time of year, we are drenched with spray. We look and take pictures. We are now on the Valley Loop Trail. We leave the paved trail and have dirt under our feet. We start to head upward.

 

 

 

As we headed up, there were two couples who appeared lost and wanted a place to eat. I tell them to continue on this trail until they come to a parking area. When they get there, they are behind Degnans where they can get lunch. They are appreciative. I guess I cannot help but being a tour guide. Turns out the instructions are slightly off, but they are in the vicinity.

Now I am able to give our own group some instructions about where we will eat lunch. But somehow what I thought I was saying did not get conveyed. We still ended up looking at Ahwahnee Meadow as our lunch time location.

After lunch, we headed towards the Ahwahnee, but did not go in. Just on the other side of the hotel, the Valley Loop Trail is closed. Why? There is some loose rock on the Royal Arches, so they have blocked off the area. But there is a route around the danger area.

Andrea and Steven travel ahead on the way to Mirror Lake

. We get to the section of trail which the horses use. There is an outhouse by the road going up to the Lake. I told Sherri that I would wait for them there. As a bonus, there is a whole forest of dogwood which I enjoy.

Steven, Sherri, Andrea

For 45 minutes I enjoy them until Andrea wonders where am I at? We coordinate and in a few minutes, I see them.We walked further on to the Mirror Lake tram stop. The tram is packed. We stay on until we reach our parking area.

We drove home after considering stopping for dinner in Oakhurst. Glad we waited as Rachel had a delicious spread waiting for us. This is a good Mother’s Day dinner. Thanks Rachel. Oh yeah, and Friday’s problem was that there was a pine needle in her paw.

 

Extra Photo's

Royal Arches Falls

Bridalveil Falls Mist

Sun through mist and leaves

Top of Bridalveil Falls

 
Flowers and Plants

Dogwood

Dogwood

April 19, 2024 - Yosemite Valley

 

Title: April 19, 2024 - Yosemite Valley
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Animals 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Camp Curry Parking area

Trail:  Northside Drive, Yosemite Village, Valley Loop Trail, Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Cook’s Meadow, Southside Drive

Destination:  Loop

Distance:  4.39 miles ¹

Start Time: 2:10

End Time:  5:10

Elevation Rise:  678'

Descent: 676‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,107'

 ¹I forgot my GPS. So I plotted out the route on Google Earth. So this will not have been the exact mileage and time. Steven’s Strava recorded 5.5 miles. He did make an extra trip of about half of a mile. So I think the truth is someplace between 4.4 and 5 miles.

Description:

This was going to be a long day as I needed to repair a sprinkler pipe before we went to Yosemite. It got even longer that evening. The first was planned while the second was thrust upon us.

Lunch at Cathedral Beach-Sherri and Steven

I got up at 6:30. I finished repairing the pipe, then let it set while I had breakfast. After that I tested all of the sprinkler lines and they looked good. I got all of this finished by 8:30. So why didn’t we start sooner? First, I was relaxing a bit and then I think everybody was waiting for everyone else to say they were ready. That was the state until Sherri came in at 10:40 and asked if we were still going to Yosemite? Yes was the answer.

So we got ready in about 25 minutes. Sherri got us out of the garage by 11:05 and drove us to Costco to get gas. Then she drove straight through to Chinquapin. By this time, she had enough of driving and Steven took us down into the Valley.

Vows were said here

Unless we have company, we usually do not stop at Tunnel View-usually too crowded for our tastes. Today we did not stop, but there was plenty of room. It will not be that way in a couple of weeks. The Bridalveil parking area is open, looks crowded, but a lot better than before the construction of the past couple of years.

Steven has a destination in mind for lunch. That would be Cathedral Beach

Mist from Yosemite

. We arrived there at about 1:45. This picnic area has a special place in our hearts. It is where Andrea and Lawrence got married last October. Certainly looks different without the table covering. Also the Merced River is higher, much higher than in October. If they had gotten married now, the water would have been above their boot tops.

We continue on to Camp Curry’s parking lot. This area is also under construction. But fortunately there is a lot of parking. We only decided what we were going to do a few minutes before driving in. The thought was to go up to Vernal Falls. But I suggested just walking around the Valley. A couple of days ago I strained my hamstring muscle and I am not sure about doing any steep climbing. It is too late to go around Mirror Lake. The decision was to walk around Yosemite Valley, heading towards Yosemite Falls. By the time our boots hit the pavement, it is 2:30. Sherri has discovered she is missing her phone. I guess she will need to rely on Steven and I for pictures.

Gary, Steven and Sherri

 

 

 Our goal is to walk the relatively level route to Yosemite Falls. The road by Stoneman Meadow is being revamped. Maybe into a bikeway connector? It does change the traffic patterns, for the better. We get a good view of the Royal Arches. But it is a relatively unshaded area. So after a quarter mile, Steven decides he needs his hat and goes back for it. 

Sherri and I continue on towards the Visitor Center. We passed by Ahwahnee Meadow and into the Yosemite Village area. It is just pleasant walking and surprisingly there are not the usual crowds of visitors on this Spring day. When we get to the Visitor Center, actually by the Ansel Adams Gallery, we wait for Steven. But there is a new Welcome Center and Steven thinks we are there. So Sherri and I get a good rest before Steven joins us. By this time it is about 3:20.

 

 

Yosemite Falls

We head west again, getting to the Yosemite Cemetery which Sherri starts to head through. This is OK with me as I am interested in the names I have seen here. While the cemetery is not well protected and has a very low fence to mark its boundaries, it does seem wrong to purposely use it as a shortcut. That is not Sherri’s intention. So we go around the cemetery, past the Law Enforcement area and up the short trail besides the stables. This leads us up to the Valley Loop Trail.

Yosemite Falls

Along the way up to the Loop Trail, we spot a mountain quail. Much more attractive than the quail we see around Delilah. Once on the Loop Trail we continue our westward trek and come to the bridge crossing Yosemite Creek. But before that, we see signs that the Falls are coming. First, there is the mist flowing well above the trees. Then there is Yosemite Creek thundering past the trail. And now crossing the bridge, we feel the wind created by the force of the falls. The sight of Yosemite Falls never fails to elicit a sense of awe.

 

 

 

We continue on our walk down to the Yosemite Falls Bus Stop. There are two women parked in the bus place, but it looks like they are pretty agitated and there is no bus while we are waiting. And while we wait, we consider the new bus routes. This bus will go all the way to the Pohono Bridge. So we decide to cross Cook’s Meadow and go to the Sentinel Bridge Bus Stop. Crossing Cook’s Meadow gives a great view of the eastern end of the Valley. So we take our time and walk through there.

Briefly after arriving at Sentinel Bridge we enjoyed its seats. That is until we realize that this is no longer a bus stop. Yosemite has been working on getting a better traffic flow around the Valley. It looks like as part of that, this stop has been discontinued. The traffic looks like we are in England as the flow has vehicles going on the wrong side of the road, that is the left side..

Indian Canyon Falls

So what to do? Sherri would like to go to the Chapel, so we go there. It is a short walk to it, maybe a quarter of a mile. The chapel is the oldest building in the Valley. But it used to be a few miles west of its current spot. The doors are open and we go in. There is a group in the front pews of the chapel, so we stay back. The interior is pretty basic. If we were expecting large windows with stained-glass, this would have been a disappointment. But remember, this was to serve a purpose and that purpose was a wilderness chapel.

Having walked this area several times, I know that a short distance from the chapel is the other side of the Valley Loop Trail. And that is where we go. A short walk puts us back onto the bike path for Southside Drive. And then an even longer walk back to Curry Village and the parking area. I am dragging during this last part. I would like to think that it is my hamstring bothering me, but I think it is only a minor contributor. Ae all make it to the car by 5:10.

Fortunately, Steven drives us out of Valley and there is not much traffic. I do one misdirection on a roundtable, but after that it is Steven all the way into Oakhurst. We talked about where to eat. Steven is interested in Southgate Brewery. But I am thinking that there may be a long line since it is Friday night. When we got there, we were quickly seated. The service was a bit slow, but that just gives us time to revive and relax.I indicate I wanted a Deadwood BBQ Burger. Evidently that sounded good to everybody as they also ordered one as wel. When the Burger came out, it was piled high. But with a little scrunching, it all fit in my mouth and my mouth was ready for it. There was no disappointment.

Royal Arches Falls

I drove home and we got home a little after 8. I was looking forward to a nice and relaxing shower, when Sherri comes in with an urgent piece of news. You know how she was without her phone which serves as a camera? Well it is missing and the Apple Find Me app has it around a restaurant in the northern part of Fresno, about a half mile from the Costco gas station. We figure it must have fallen out when we got gas this morning.

And now for the truly frustrating part. We try to get a hold of Verizon to tell them the phone is missing. But they are not available until morning. You can go through their automated system, but in order to do anything with the phone, they want you to respond on the phone which is lost. Seems a bit circular, doesn’t it? So we try to go into their web pages. Same thing. We are not getting anywhere fast. Sherri does have the presence of mind to lock the phone through Apple.

So what should we do? Ask Rachel, of course! We figured out a plan which included driving up to the restaurant and seeing if the phone was just laying on the ground-it as not. Also how to proceed in the morning. It did not get better then, so Super Rachel called up Verizon and got things settled there. The long story is that Saturday Sherri got a new phone with a lot better camera.

Finally about 10:30 I got my shower and was asleep by 11:30-I was one tired big boy.

 

 

Trail Lesson: We will lose things. But learn from the experience about what is important and what is replaceable.

Animals

Mountain Quail