Gary-Summer: Stoneman

Showing posts with label Stoneman. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2024

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

Saturday, December 24, 2022

December 24, 2022 - Yosemite the Day Before Christmas

Title: December 24, 2022 - Yosemite the Day Before Christmas

Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Seventh Day Adventist Camp at Wawona

Trail: Swinging Bridge

Destination: Swinging Bridge

Actual Destination: Swinging Bridge and beyond

Distance: 1.30 miles 1

Elevation Rise: 360'

Descent: 360‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,209'

¹I did not GPS this trip. So the figures and map are calculated based upon Google Earth. Looking at the map, I think we did about a quarter mile farther, but this is the last picture I have with coordinates.

Description:

This blog entry is a bit more than the night before Christmas and all through the house entry. For one, not everything was quiet and definitely there were creatures stirring. So this entry will include the night before the “night before Christmas” through Christmas.

Andrea, Rachel, Edrees, Friday and Lawrence came in Friday afternoon, joining Steven, Korra, Sherri and myself in Fresno. Sherri had previously made bierocks. So that is dinner tonight. Then off we go to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo for its Illuminature. This is an update to the previous Zoo Lights. Instead of outlines animals in lights, these are lighted forms, almost like a blown up colored nylon animal or plant. Very well done. We had met Rachel’s friend Joseph and his partner. We stayed from after seven to the end of the night, nine. Well worth the night there.

Walking to Swinging Bridge

Saturday David is coming up from Eureka. So he will join us this evening. But we will be taking a day trip to Yosemite. We have been in conversation with my best man’s wife. Their daughter, Moriah, is in Yosemite, at Wawona meeting a friend-turns out that friend is the one who was at the entrance station this morning. We left a bit later than expected, around 9:40, which puts us at Wawona a little after 11. After coordinating where we were to meet, we got the joy of seeing Moriah.

Dam on South Fork of Merced

She had a couple of hours and was interested in a hike. Where to go? Well, there is the Wawona Meadow Loop. But Moriah just did that one. Or Alder Creek, but that is a bit long, also she just did this trail yesterday. There is an easy hike just down the road, up the South Fork of the Merced. So we will do this one.

The Family

We drove up the road to the Seventh Day Adventist camp. There is a parking lot across from there, where we park. We follow a service road up the river. We note the burnt trees from the Washburn Fire, but it is not as bad as I feared. The walk is easy and we quickly get to Wawona’s Swinging Bridge. We enjoy the view, both up and down the river. Up the river we see snow on the south side. We enjoy also the bridge swaying a bit as well as bouncing.

Sherri leading the pack

This was a pretty short walk and we all felt like we wanted to go on. There is a deer track, or maybe just a worn piece of ground. Or it could be part of the 100 year old trail which Tony Krizan once described. There are some up and downs, but none are more than 20-30’ variation.

Returning to the car

It is a pleasant walk. We stop often to look over the river, even seeing an old dam. I have wondered if this was a recent development or does it date back to the Washburns when they ran the Wawona Hotel. It looks like it may have been made to divert water for their ranching operations in Wawona Meadow.

We cross a small creek, head up a hill and over dale and down another ravine. When we reach the top of this small ridge, we come across a series of downed trees. I see we could continue on, but I asked how far do people want to go on for? There is a general consensus that we have had a good time stretching our legs. So this is a good place to turn around.

We pretty much return the way we came. The sun is on our side of the river and it is a nice walk back. There are a place or two which turned a bit slippery. But besides a knee which got banged, we navigated the trail without mishap. We cross the bridge and walk back to the car. The Fresno group has our lunch. Moriah will probably eat when she gets back to her friend's cabin. But we all are enjoying each other's company, so we do not break up very fast. Eventually, we all hug Moriah and bid her farewell.

And now our group is off to Yosemite Valley. By the time we get there, it should be about 3pm. Just enough time to drive around the Valley and marvel at the snow. First we stop at Tunnel View. This is a stop which Sherri and I avoid half the time. But it is well worth stopping today. Crowded but we do find a parking spot. Around the overlook, the snow has been well packed and is a bit icey. So the two older folks proceed with caution. But the view is worth it. Bridalveil is running well. Silver Strand is frozen which provides a different aspect to a Yosemite fall. I do not see Ribbon though. The sun is glancing off of El Cap and Half Dome.

We continue on down into the Valley. The road is clear of snow, but the Floor is covered. Just a beautiful sight.We go up the southside of the Valley at a leisurely pace, allowing us to take in the Valley walls. We circle past Curry Village and stop at Stoneman Meadow to enjoy the view of Half Dome. By now, the sun is getting lower and we start our way out of the Valley, going along the Northside. There is a line of cars with the same idea. But we are one of the few with the idea of stopping at the El Capitan Picnic Area. Definitely not to picnic, but there is an outhouse there. Not only that, but this area has a great view of Horsetail Falls. In two months, if there is sunlight, it will be a prized shot from this location. The sun’s rays refract, turning the falls into a golden red at sunset. Today, it is the rock of El Cap which has turned golden.

And with this, we leave the Valley. By the time we get to Chinquapin, it is dark. We stopped at Wawona for a bathroom break. Then on to Fresno. David makes it to our house 15 minutes before we arrive. We arrived at 6:35. After unpacking David, we have an assortment of food for dinner: clam chowder from Humboldt, salad and left overs. It is good to have family all in one place.

Background

Service Road. After we walked up the road and crossed over. Steven noted a retaining all near the small dam across the South Fork of the Merced. In looking at Google Earth after our walk, you can see where the service road continued on to where the dam is.

Archie Leonard Trail 1914

This trail extends from the Wawona Ranger Station paralleling the South Fork of the Merced River for several miles, then bears to the left to the main Buck Camp trail at the Buck Camp Ranger Station. This trail is named in honor of Ranger Archie Leonard, as a slight recognition of his many years of faithful service in Yosemite National Park. He was a guide for the U. S. Troops and later ranger with the National Park Service. When the Troops came to take over the protection of the Yosemite National Park, he was assigned as scout and guide for the Troops. During the winter months when the troops were out of the park, Archie and Charles Leibig took over the responsibilities of patrolling and keeping law and order. It is thought Leonard first blazed this trail in the early 1900’s. He was one of the “First Rangers” in Yosemite.

From Chapter V in Pathways: A Story of Trails and Men (1968), by John W. Bingaman.

Extra Photo's