April 28, 2022 - Yosemite Valley

 

Title: April 28, 2022 - Yosemite Valley

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Curry Village Parking Area

Trail: Fen Trail and then various wanderings-see the map

Destination: Yosemite Falls

Distance:  6.91 miles ¹

Start Time: 12:35

End Time:    4:38

Travel Time:  4:03 (1.71 mph)

Moving Time:  2:27  (2.82 mph)

Elevation Rise:  591'

Descent: 607‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,077'

GPS Tracks

  ¹All of the figures are computed. I turned on the GPS around the time we got to the backpacker’s parking area. Then after seeing Yosemite Falls and waiting for the tram, I turned it off. But then we ended up walking from Yosemite Village to Curry Village. All of the time the GPS was off, is an approximation, based upon plotting out the route on Garmin’s BaseCamp, along with some guessing.

Description:

Bridalveil Falls

This was a delayed trip to Yosemite. We were going to go last week, but it rained on that day, so we went to Grant Grove. But today, the only weather concern is how cool it is. We got a bit of a late start, just before 10am. The trip up is uneventful with only a stop at Chinquapin. Then it is down to Bridalveil Falls area.

The Park is finishing up on revamping the area, so the parking area is closed and as it turns out the trail up to the Falls is also closed off. We found a parking place. While Sherri gets her boots on, I wander around, looking at the Falls and the Falls close to El Capitan-Ribbon Falls.

Ribbon Falls

 

 

 

 I look around for Silver Strand, but I think it is behind a ridge. We take a short walk around the area. Almost all of the trails in the area are now paved. We took many shots before climbing back into the car.

 

Staircase Falls

 

 

 

With the roof window unsheathed, we, well at least Sherri, can look up at the top of the rim. Such a wonderful sight. We head to Camp Curry There I get my boots on.. Staircase Falls has waters in it. An Indian family is trying to figure out what I am staring at-so I give my mini-tour guide explanation. 

 

 

 

 

Part of the Fen

And then start off, going through Camp Curry. We spotted a dogwood with blossoms on them. They look more on the side of fading than new blossoms. They are still something to stop and gaze at. We head around the backpacker’s parking lot and hit the Fen Trail. This is always a peaceful trail. Not many people go down it and those who do are almost always respectful. When we get to the Fen, we stop and admire the scenery.

Our lunch view

Happy Isles and its bathroom is a short walk from the Fen. We stop there, then cross the Happy Isles Bridge. We decided to go along the Merced River i

Sherri during lunch break

nstead of the Valley Loop Trail. But we found a place by the bridge to have lunch. A restful place with the roar of the river right beside us. Even after we finish eating, we relax for about 15 minutes.

 

 

And now we follow the river. It is a peaceful walk. We sauntered along, enjoying the water. Eventually we crossed through the North Pines Campground. Then Tenaya Creek. Instead of going through the Backpacker's Camp to join the Valley Loop, we continue to follow the River. Eventually we get to the lawn area of the Ahwahnee Hotel. Then we hit the bike path which follows Northside Drive.

Yosemite Falls from the Ahwahnee

We recognize a tree which looked awesome, or maybe described a bit better by being a stark reminder of Winter last January. Today, it just looks like a dead oak, nothing which is resonating with my soul. We continue on, going through the visitor plaza. The Visitor Center is closed-but I do not think we would have gone in anyway. We travel through to the Cemetery. I thought there was an exit on the far end, bit no, there is a low fence. So we backtracked a bit.

 

 

 

 

And now we do the surprise of the day. We see a sign for the Yosemite Public Library-a branch of the Mariposa County Library system. We are suckers for libraries, so we step in. It is a bit small, but for being a small branch, it is well stocked. Many of the books we have read.It is an indication of the quality of books there. We talked with Christine, the librarian, for a while. She explains that the people in the Valley tend to be pretty transitory. So a lot of times, the person cannot take their books, so they donate them to the library. As a note: Christine was an enjoyable person to talk with, you could tell she enjoyed being in Yosemite and enjoyed her work. We continue on our walk after this delightful time.

Gary looking at Yosemite Falls

We continued our walk along Northside. Drive and then turned north toward Yosemite Falls. Going this way is just a bit less crowded plus it is a more gentle climb. In general, I like this way better anyway-the rest is just an excuse for going this way. When we get to Yosemite Creek, we cross it on the wide bridge. Considering this is April, we are missing the normal spray blowing from the Falls. Just shows how little moisture there has been this Winter-and it does not seem like there will be too much more.

Sherri, Gary and Lower Yosemite Falls

We take a few pictures and then hurry on. The viewing is not crowded by Yosemite Falls standards, but I think we are just ready to check this stop off of our list. We go down to the bottom and visit the bathroom. It looks like the trams are running. We wait a few minutes and a bus comes along. I try to enter through the front-but COVID protocol says go in through the back. The driver says there are now two loops and we will need to transfer at Yosemite Village. So on we go. He takes a long stop at Yosemite Lodge and then off to the village.

At the village, we wait for the next bus. While we waited a large group of kids, well-behaved, came up. We decided to walk the rest of the way, a little more than a mile. I guess the time in the bus rested my legs for I felt the spring back in my step. The path we follow goes by the Merced River, on the north side-a bit further down from this afternoon. It is pleasant with only a few people. A good way to end the day. We did come across a man in a wheelchair enjoying his time. A short walk later, we come to Stoneman Bridge, which we cross.

On the other side is Stoneman Meadow and a short walk to the car. I think we are ready to sit down and enjoy the ride home. It is now around 4:30 and we have been walking a lot more than what we anticipated, but it does not appear like we have overdone it. We leave the Valley with only a brief stop at Wawona. Then on to Carl’s Jr at Oakhurst for dinner. We get home by 7:30. A full day. Glad we were able to see the Valley.

Extra Photo's

Yosemite Falls

Bridalveil Falls

Merced River and Sierra Point

Part of the Fen

Passageway under Clark's Bridge

Yosemite Falls and Lost Arrow

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Gary at Yosemite Falls area

Panorama from Stoneman Meadow

 
Flowers and Plants

Sticky Current

Sticky Current

Dogwood

Dogwood

Dogwood

April 19, 2017 - Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake

Title: April 19, 2017 - Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals 

Trail head: Mirror Lake Tram Stop 19

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Mirror Lake Loop

Destination:  Ahwahnee Hotel

Distance:  7.27 miles

Start Time: 10:52

End Time:     3:12

Travel Time:   4:19 (1.68 mph)

Moving Time:  3:32  (2.06 mph)

Elevation Rise:  962'

Maximum Elevation: 4,249'
 GPS Tracks

Staircase Falls

Description:

This is to be a short hike, about 5-6 miles around Mirror Lake and then to the Ahwahnee. The idea is that we have a friend who has not been able to get out, but who loves the outdoors. Her husband (and her) hikes with us, or more accurately, we hike with them.  So Sherri, Betty and Rebecca devised a plan to get Cathey up to Yosemite and wander around the visitor center, museum, shops and cemetery in the Valley. Not be outdone, I invited a couple of John’s friends-Jerry and Roger to go with John and I for a hike around Mirror Lake.

Tenaya Creek

We meet at 7:30 and head up to Yosemite.A quick stop at Chinquapin before hitting Camp Curry. Staircase Falls is running full.  There we tried to hop on a tram to go to the Mirror Lake stop to start our hike. But the tram was full, so we walked up the road to Happy Isles. There we caught a tram over to the Mirror Lake stop, #19. We got a hint of what we are in for today.There is water running down the side of the road and we see the Merced River running swiftly and vigorously. Sounds like a start of  an amazing day.

Now we head north along the east side of Mirror Lake. We take turns walking with each other. There is something special about the companionship along a path which is almost like kinship. There are many more people today than the last time I walked it last month. 

Jerry at the Ahwiyah rockfall with Mt Watkins

When we get to Mirror Lake, we see that the lake is full and overflowing its sandy banks. The rapid moving water creates ripples on the surface so there is not much of a mirror today.  Still it is good to see the water here after so many years of it drying up sooner than it should.

We continue our walk on the east side, slowly climbing, nothing strenuous. We stop to ponder the Ahwiyah rockfall. Then we spot water coming down the Wall of Death under Half Dome. Just so jaw dropping amazing. When we finally get to the bridge across the Tenaya, we wonder how we would have crossed without it.

Our trail, a pool of water

One thing I did not mention was that this trail was akin to an obstacle course. First there was fallen trees to play limbo under. Or trees to go over or around. But no obstacle course can be without the water trap and there were some good ones.

Tenaya Creek from the bridge

Now it is back to Mirror Lake on the west side of the canyon. Just plain old walking and enjoying. When we get to Mirror Lake, we stop for a few minutes for snacks and lunch. We decide that maybe following the Valley loop trail may not be so good of an idea with Royal Arches Falls running so full. Last month when we went by the drainage for the falls, some people felt the runoff was a bit much for them. we do take the horse trail a ways down until we meet the outhouse. Then, we follow a bike path until we hit the Merced River. From there we cut over to the Ahwahnee.

Once at the Ahwahnee, we find out that the other contingent is going to the Yosemite Lodge for some eats. So we board the tram and head there, taking 10-15 minutes. Once there, we all enjoy our meal after a fun and good day. We all return via the tram to the Curry Village parking lot and pour into our cars. But there is one more thing I wanted to show them. As we go down Northside Drive, we stop a couple of miles after Camp 4 at a turn out. We go to a spot, and there is Horsetail Falls. Maybe not as exciting as in February, but it is a glorious way to end our day in the Valley. 

 

Horsetail Falls

Extra Photo's

Washington Column

Royal Arches Falls

Half Dome hiding behind a cloud

Animals

March 12, 2017 – East Yosemite Valley Loop

Title: March 12, 2017 – East Yosemite Valley Loop

Hike Info : Description :  Background : Extra Photo's : Animals

Trail head: Camp Curry Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail:Valley Loop Trail

Destination: Loop around Mirror Lake and Yosemite Falls

Distance:  Approximately 12 miles ¹

Start Time:10:30am

End Time: 5:00pm

Travel Time: 6:30   (1.85 mph)

Moving Time: 5:00   (2.4 mph)

 ¹I still do not have my GPS, so no tracks, no mileage or elevation gain or time walked. So the above is guesses made upon other hikes.

  
Description:

Sherri and I are training for the California Classic Half Marathon-it is a run, but we will walk. Just trying to get down under 4 hours for 13.1 miles. So we set up a series of training walks with the our meetup group. We start out with about 20+ people who were interested, but only have 9 total on the walk. But it was a good group.

Staircase Falls

We had been up to Yosemite on Wednesday, March 8^th and there was about 3” of snow all across the Valley floor, so we were expecting some snow and lots of mud. Also Highway 41 into the park is closed until March 15^th (it actually opened on the evening of the hike), so we have another 30-45 minutes of travel. Still to see the beauty of Yosemite in the Winter. So we get to Camp Curry around 10:15 after a stop in Mariposa at the Burger King.

The air is cool, but clear. It will be a wonderful day to hike in a T-shirt. Staircase Falls is running nicely along the western face of Glacier Point. Because the trail looks a bit wet in places, we walk the road up to Happy Isles. We do our traditional stop there for relief. Things are looking up as much of the snow we saw a few days ago has gone and there is a niceness of standing in the sun.

Because the snow is gone, we pick up the Valley Loop Trail after crossing the Happy Isle Bridge. Robert is a bit ahead while Angel, Betty and I talk a bit. But nobody falls really behind. This is familiar territory and pleasantly away from the road, even though only Park vehicles go along that road. Few tourists know about this trail. We come out at the Tenaya Creek Bridge where we make a decision. That is to do the full loop around Mirror Lake rather than the more direct route. There will be muddy places, but what I have seen so far looks good, no more than what I have seen in other years.

Low end of Mirror Lake

I can tell that the legs are going to do ok, but I am carrying way too much weight. At least, the lungs thinks it needs more oxygen to continue movement. But this is the scenic part so there is lots of reason to stop and view Tenaya Creek. Below Mirror Lake, it rushes down over many rocks. But once we climb up to the “lake” itself, all is peaceful. It lives up to its name with good reflections of North Dome and Mt Watkins. 

Reflective Pond

When we pass by a little pool, I wonder if anybody have read the The Chronicles of Prydain by Llyod Alexander. Reason? In The High King he talks about the Mirror of Llunet. Where Taran went to find out about himself. Does this small pool have that same qualities? I think not, it only reflects what it sees.

Tail end of Bobcat

But then the highlight of the day happened a little beyond Mirror Lake. I was a minute or so behind the lead when everybody stopped. “Why?” is the natural question? Then there was a little movement of a stripped tail, but a pretty big body. The head was behind a rock. My brother, from a distance, looked around on the other side and said, “bobcat!” Angel had spotted the cat on a hunt, maybe a mouse in the meadow below us. A few minutes passed and he stalked down passing in front of some trees, with his eyes on something. Then regained the trail behind us. Just breath taking. All were excited.

Bobcat on prowl

Sun coming over Half Dome

Ephemeral falls (not a name)

After the bobcat, it returns to the same old trail. You know, a trail with only the usual drop dead gorgeous sights such as looking up towards Half Dome and AhwiyahPoint and watching the sun gentle rise. Or Mt Watkins and Clouds Rest covered with snow. Nothing very spectacular at all. We stop for a few minutes on Tenaya Creek Bridge before moving on.

Mirror Lake with Mt Watkins

We reached the west side of Mirror Lake by 1:30. So we stopped for lunch. But one of the things which makes walking with the group is the conversation. Sometimes it is serious stuff about life. But today it started with Rocky and Bullwinkle. Of course, it de-generated into other characters-Boris and Natasha, Dudley Do-Right, and of course, Nell.

 

Trail on north side

After our PB and Nutella sandwiches, its time to hit the trail. Some people are in need of relief facilities which are about ½ to ¾ miles down the trail. So we rush along and make it in time to a lonely outhouse sort of halfway to no-where. Now it is time to make it to the Ahwahnee Hotel (Majestic Yosemite Hotel, if you prefer, I do not.) But first we start our walk along the northside of the Valley besides Indian Caves and WashingtonColumn. I think I our group is starting to tire a bit under the warm temperature. But there is a bit of relief to that as we have our gaze focused on Royal Arches and its Falls above us. There is no spray from the falls, but the runoff goes right down the trail. Most are able to go from rock-to-rock-to-tock without difficulty. But a few want to have a bit more stability to traverse our watery-way.

Royal Arches Falls

After Royal Arches, we hit the Ahwahnee, we do a quick walk through. The group confirms my thoughts about it being tired, so rather than continue to take the Valley Loop trail, we walk through Yosemite Village. It is a bit shorter and leveler. I draw attention to the Lost Arrow, Yosemite Falls and the Ranger's Club. But I was going to take them along the back way into the lower falls, but it is roped off as closed. So we go up to the base of the Lower Yosemite Falls. The trail has a layer of packed snow on it.

Middle Yosemite falls

Gary  and the group

We return to the tram area where I give a choice: return to Camp Curry via the tram or walk the 2-3 miles back to the cars. Three take the tram. David, Sherri and I want to walk it and off we go with Rebecca, Betty and Keith. Now it is paved path and pretty level. We cross Cook's Meadow and the Merced River and come out at the Valley Chapel. For a short way we go up Southside Drive, then crossing over at Sentinel Bridge.

Half Dome from Cooks Meadow

Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge

Mystery Rings

A month ago I saw a piece in the Facebook Yosemite History group about some rings in a rock across from Sentinel bridge. The speculation was they were there to tie up horses, but others are thinking they may have helped support an early bridge. I am interested in finding them. David and I look for them while others go on. Eureka! There are the rings. Not sure what they were used for, but it was fun finding them.

Horsetail Falls

Now it is time to make for the cars. We pass the LeConte Memorial, Housekeeping, and the employee housing. Then David and I go into Camp Curry to see if the pizza place is open-it is not. But when we get back to the car, the group has already decided to eat at Happy Burger in Mariposa. So we pile into our cars and head on out. By the time we get back to Fresno, it is 8pm. A good day of walking.

Background

Horsetail Falls is one of those ephemeral falls which many Spring comes down from the side of El Capitan. During sunset in February, Horsetail captures the redness of the sun, making the falls look like it is on fire. A natural fire fall.



Extra Photo's

North Dome

Meetup Group at Mirror Lake

Ahwiyah Point

More falls

Mt Watkins from the Ahwiyah rockslide

Top of Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls

Horsetail Falls

Birdalveil Falls with Cathedral Rocks behind it

Animals

Bobcat

Bobcat

Bobcat

 
Flowers and Plants