July 18, 2015 - Sonora Pass

Title: July 18, 2015 - Sonora Pass

Trail head: Sonora Pass

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Pacific Crest Trail, south of Sonora Pass

Destination: Undetermined

Distance: approx 4  miles ¹

Start Time: 12:30

End Time:    3:00
Ascending Elevation: 600'

Maximum Elevation: 10,220'
 ¹No GPS information

Description:
Sherri and I were invited to backpack with the Millers on a stretch from Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Meadows. We had other commitments so we could not walk with them. But we did volunteer to shuttle their car around from Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Meadows. It gives us a good excuse to be out and about, explore areas we normally do not visit, and even better yet, enjoy the friendship we established on the Trail a couple of years ago.

Sherri and I went up the night before to close to Sonora Pass.to stay the night. On the way up we stopped in at Mariposa and visited Faith Rumm at her studio. She is an artist. A good talk with her. I had been here once before, but Sherri had neverseen her. Sort of ironic since it is Sherri who had the original contact with her through Facebook. Also on the way up we stopped in Sonora for a sort of lunch/dinner at El Jardin. Ate well, food was good. There is also an El Jardin in Turlock which Joe and Margaret have taken us to.

Sherri at camp

It is starting to get a bit late in the afternoon. While I do not mind pitching a tent at night, I feel more comfortable finding a place to camp and pitching the tent in the day.  So on the way up, we stop at the MiWok Visitor Center. Purchased a map for the Stanislaus National Forest-mine is at least 30 years old. On the way out, we met a law enforcement officer. Friendly fellow. He was very enthusiastic about a smart phone app called PDF Maps from Avenza. He showed us all sorts of things he could do with it and the map we just purchased was cheaper on the app than over the counter. Will look at it when we get back.

Night Lights

But now to find a campsite. As we go up, we would rather not stay at a place like Pinecrest just because of the crowds of people. But we do find a place to stay at a forest service camp ground called Mill Creek for $8 a night. Pretty nice and quiet. Even has a a friendly campground host who came over to greet us (and take the camping fee). We chatted for 20 minutes or so. It is quiet, but bring your own water. We had enough water from lookout to deal with this situation.

It was a quiet night and we get up before most of the other campers. Breakfast is quick and we are on the road to meet Ray and Rachel by 8am. They are schedule to get to Sonora Pass by 9:30. This is beautiful territory and we must explore a little more.

We arrive early and no sign of them. So we just wait around. I do walk over to a day use area just in case they are there. There is a couple which does PCT restock with their truck-store there. They are called the Sonora Pass Resupply. I get into conversation with Sherri-not mine, but the restocker. They have a mini-store  catering to the needs of PCTers.

Red Tailed hawk

But our friends are not there, so I go back and sit under a tree. In the meantime Sherri, my Sherri, has found what looks like an eagle perched in a close by tree. It may look like one from a distance, but we figure out it is a red-tailed hawk.

One problem with Sonora Pass is that there is.no cell phone reception.  As the hour goes to 10, then 11, we wonder what to do. But we figure we can wait at least until 5, if not later.

View from Sonora Pass

Rachel and Ray

At 12:30, the Miller's show up. Explanation? After traveling for about an hour, Ray's Jeep had issues and they had to go back and get Rachel's Prius. But they are safe and ready to hike. We get off around 1. We will probably turn around pretty soon as we have a 4+ hour drive back to Fresno.

The trail up goes pretty good. At first I am thinking Ray and Rachel have an 8 day pack on them are they going to buzz by me with just a light day pack? But no fears there. They settle down into a pace which even I can fit into. Some of it, this section of the trail is a the steepest they will face all day and it looks like they will need to go between 10-13 miles before they camp tonight.

Rachel, Sherri and Ray

But the redeeming part is with each step, the view becomes prettier. Wildflowers are poking their heads out from underneath stone and log. All of this makes even this steep hike enjoyable.As we go up, we catch up on how things are with the Millers.

Gary and Rachel talking

Ray and Gary looking over packs

After about a mile we stop and Ray and Rachel adjust their packs. Not much for me to do except to look wise.Where we stop is the last section of trees before we pop out above timberline.

Ray, Sherri and Rachel

By now, we have traveled two miles. The time is later than we anticipated, but it is well worth the time on the back end. From the time we met them on the JMT in July 2013, we have enjoyed their company. So every step we take with them is one we can enjoy their fellowship. But it is time for us to turn around. We saw our goodbyes and wish them God's speed on their way.

Sherri and Gary

Rachel and Ray

Parting shot

West of Sonora Pass

 Now it is time to hurry down. We are retracing our steps. But instead of being ho-hum, we see things from a different perspective. We see west of Sonora Pass, an area of many ridges. We see ravines we traveled up where there is pygmy trees lining the path. We see rock outcroppings, with flowered borders. In essence, we see things better the second time around.





 We get down pretty well in good time, about 3:30 or so. Now it is my turn to drive Rachel's Prius. Seems pretty straightforward. We come down Sonora Pass on the east side, pretty cautiously-me because I am driving someone else' car; Sherri because she is not used to driving in the mountains. All is safe and at least neither of our cars had that burnt brake smell. We hit 395 and pass through Lee Vining. We stop at the Mobil station or if you prefer, the Whoa Nellie Deli. It did not disappoint. Then through Tioga Pass and then Tuolumne Meadows. Rachel's car is left at the stables parking area and we are off home.

Small trees and PCT

Trail head: Tuolumne Grove Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Crane Flat Lookout

Destination: Crane Flat Lookout

Distance: approx 2.5  miles ²

Start Time: 7:00pm

End Time:  8:15pm
Ascending Elevation: 450'

Maximum Elevation: 6,844'
 ²No GPS information

Well we thought we would head straight home, but on the Stanislaus National Forest map I had bought yesterday, I noticed a trail to the Crane Flat Lookout. It looked pretty short, and since we still had sunlight, we thought we would try it.

The trail comes out of the Tuolumne Grove parking lot. But instead of heading north to the grove, you go to the western end of the parking lot There you find the remnants of a road-is this part of the old Tioga Road?  The trail is unmarked, but we follow it anyway. It is pretty gentle. After a little ways, we pop out onto a paved road heading northwest. We do not see any sign of our road, so we follow this one. It seems a lot longer than the map I had, of course that map had little granularity and it was not concerned with Yosemite, but Stanislaus National Forest.

Fire Helicopter

But after a ways, we find a helicopter standing through some trees. Then a imposing looking chain link fence. But it looks like it is not necessarily to keep people out. I had known there was a heliport at Crane Flat because last year when we reported our Facebook fire around Vidette Meadows, a helicopter from Crane Flat came out to pick up the division chief at Kings Canyon to fly him up there.

Crane Flat Lookout

While interesting, that is not why we are here. But there is a large paved area and we are looking around. Sherri finds a couple of people crossing this area and engages them in conversation. They point us to the lookout. And as the conversation progresses, it turns out they were the crew which came down to Kings Canyon last October. Small world isn't it?

They said to go on up and take a look around. There is the usual tools of a lookout sans radios. Things like maps and an Osborne Fire Finder.  We also get a good view. The pilots said to be sure to look to the west for Pilot Lookout. We find it as the sun sets. Now it is time to return back to the car. We do get back about 10 minutes after it turns dark. Then we take off and don't stop on our trip back to Fresno, getting home around 11pm. A good day.

Pilot Lookout

Looking east at sundown from Crane Flat Lookout

Pictures:

Eastern Sierras

West of Sonora Pass

Gary at Crane Flat Lookout

Flowers: 

June 8, 2014 - Snow Creek(Indian Rock)

 Title: June 8, 2014 - Snow Creek(Indian Rock)

Trail head: Porcupine Flat

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Indian Rock/Snow Creek

Destination: Yosemite Valley

Distance:  8.94 miles

Start Time:  9:26

End Time:   4:08

Travel Time: 6:42 (1.33 mph)

Moving Time: 4:43 (1.90  mph)

Elevation Rise: 527'
Descent:  3,777'

Maximum Elevation: 7,901

Description:
Let me begin with saying, I will probably be loosing a toe nail from this hike. Does that mean that I hated this hike? No Way! A great trail and a hiking companion I enjoyed, what more could a hiker want?

Karol and Gary at the Start

 Got up early as we want to make sure that we get to Murphy's Inn by 8 when John and Cathey leave. Sherri gets up at 6. Donna H leaves early, but still a bit later than what I thought she would. We head to the Whoa Nellie Deli and the three of us-Karol, Sherri, and I-share two breakfast burrito's. We are content. For once I think John is in relax mode. We leave Lee Vining a bit later than I expected. Only Dennis, Karol, John and Cathey, Sherri and I will be walking this trail. Rose and Darrell wind up doing the same Indian Rock trail as us, but not part of this group. 

Karol and I will be walking part of the trail, then branch off down the Snow Creek trail. Sherri and Dennis will pick us up at the bottom in Yosemite Valley. We leave the car at 9:30, later than we were hoping for. It is starting to be warm, but not bad, yet. The first couple miles of our walk is more of rolling terrain. We go down the old Tioga road bed-it still has asphalt on it. The decline is a bit steep-how did those old cars make it up this thing anyway? Then eventually leaves the road bed and changes into a trail. Lots of trees to provide shade. We cross a few creeks and in general make good time. Because of the moistness, I get to start slapping myself in a vain attempt to rid my body of mosquito's. About two miles in, we come to the junction with the Snow Creek trail. Sherri, Dennis, John and Cathey continue on to the Indian Rocks and Natural Arch area. Karol and I leave them and head down the Snow Creek Trail.

A common mistake is that if it is downhill, it must be easy. Well when that downhill is just short of 4,000' over six miles, your body takes a pounding. You throw in exposure to the sun and things can get ugly pretty quickly. But for Karol and I, this trip was offset by so much eye candy that it compensated for the aches we would feel.

Snow Creek

Snow Creek

So what was this trail like? It ran 150 yards parallel with Snow Creek for most of the way to a foot bridge. Far enough away in the beginning that you knew it was there, but no bugs were inflicting themselves on me. After a mile and a half, we come close to Snow Creek, and what a sight awaits us. First, there are the usual Sierra cascading creek. This is always good for a break. But then, we go down a little further and see that where we were standing, the water actually goes under granite, only to emerge in some falls-not the Snow Creek Falls either which is way further down. I think I am falling in love with this creek!

Granite Arch and Waterfall

But as we travel down the creek, I start looking for the footbridge across the creek. Not so much because we cross the bridge, but that will mark where we come out of the Snow Creek drainage and now descend the wall of Tenaya Canyon. Someplace a bit before noon, we see the bridge and break for lunch a hundred yards down the trail. Pleasant time, but we can feel that the air is warming up. So we do not lollygag around, but we do enjoy our lunch. I almost feel like I am mooching off of Karol. I had raved so much about Nutella, she bought a bottle of it. Not only that, she supplied me with some salami. I am really enjoying the lunch.

Gary and Karol at Point 7600'

Before hitting the trail, we wander out to Point 7600. This point overlooks Tenaya Canyon. What a view! If Karol thought Olmsted gave her a great view, this puts her right in the middle of the action. To the north of us is the Watkins Pinnacles; across is Clouds Rest and there is Half Dome as you do not see it anyplace else. On Half Dome, I am not sure, but I think I see people going up it. But even more impressive is the depth of the canyon. We look straight down. Tall trees look shorter than matchsticks.  We could spend a whole long time up here and not tire of it. But we do need to get down.

Upper Tenaya Canyon

Lower Tenaya Canyon

We cut over to meet the trail at the end of the point. Now the trail starts to descend in earnest. Not only does the landscape change-the gentle, but persistent downhill to a "we are going down a 3700' cliff"-but the whole scenery changes. First for starters, even though the creek may only be a couple hundred yards away, we never hear it, let alone see it again. A rock ridge blocks that view. Another is the pines give way to more chaparral-brush with oaks and some pines. Consequently we are more exposed to the sun. Even though the temperature reached 84, being in the direct sun and the reflecting granite rock made it feel at least ten degrees warmer. We are constantly sucking on our water. Fortunately, for whatever reason, I am doing pretty well in that department so I have an excess and keep well hydrated. It enables me to share my supply.

But what really hurt was the gravel. Several places there was a granite sheet with gravel on it. a couple of times Karol slipped on the granite-I came close to going down myself. One of the times Karol strained her calf muscles. So for about three miles going down this trail, she was favoring one leg. Does not make for a fun walk.

Half Dome

But she kept smiling and enjoying herself. Just that makes the going better. We would watch the other wall getting taller and taller. Or Tenaya Creek become more than just a trickle into something which even has a few minor falls.  Or seeing the granite forms change their shape as our perspective changes. As we descend, one of my favorite parts is watching the tall trees come up to greet us. It is almost like they are there to honor us into their lands.

Karol walking the trail

Karol has been keeping cool by having a wet scarf around her neck. When we reach the bottom, we and rest for a few minutes. I go a little ways to get water from Tenaya Creek. Not that we would want to drink it yet, but at least I am able to dip clothing into the water to cool us down. Also filled one of Karol's empty water bottles so we had cool water with us to soak the cloth. We do not stay too long as the mosquito's have found Karol.

Now that we have reached bottom, we can almost taste relief from the heat. But the level ground does not seem to help the strained muscle too much. That mile to Mirror Lake is wearing on us.  When we get to Mirror Lake, we stop at an outhouse. A SAR worker, Shelby, was taking down a poster about a missing hiker. So I asked her if it would be ok to give Karol a ride down to the shuttle. After getting permission, she did even more. She took us to Camp Curry where Sherri and Dennis are waiting. What a surprise having us drive up in a SAR vehicle. Thank You Shelby!

As long as we are at Camp Curry, we grab a couple ice cold water bottles. Tastes so good. Then on to Todds for dinner. Good food is always the way to end a hike.

Trail Lesson:

Start early, stay hydrated. But mostly enjoy where you are and who you are with.

Snow Creek

Snow Creek close to our lunch spot

Climbers on Half Dome

Half Dome

Half Dome

May 15, 2014 - Sub-Dome and back to car

Title: May 15, 2014 - Sub-Dome and back to car

Trail head: Little Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail:  Half Dome

Destination: Sub-Dome

Distance:  7.10 miles

Start Time:   8:55

End Time:    2:50

Travel Time: 5:54 (1.20 mph)

Moving Time: 3:57 (1.80 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,259'

Maximum Elevation:  8,100'

Description:

I slept well, albeit the bag seemed a little cold. But that was remedied by putting my socks on. By the time I got up Brian was already pacing about, the sun was shining and the hour hand had already passed by 7. It is a bright and beautiful morning. We decide that hoofing it up towards Half Dome was in our future. Brian is thinking about trying Clouds Rest. So we had our breakfast of oatmeal and toppings, along with Tang, coffee, tea and chocolate before getting to the trail around 9.

Half Dome and Sub Dome

Clouds Rest

By this time Brian had already decided to charge forward to do Clouds Rest. I realized there was no way I would keep up with him, so I decided to adopt the role of chief encourager to Bill and Jerry on our trip toward Half Dome. We realized that we would not make it that far, but would try to go at least as far as the base of Sub Dome. At the Clouds Rest junction, I walked a little ways with Brian, but then turned back around. We did see some scat, which we did not identify, but looking at a book I have, I think it was something like coyote.

Side of Tenaya Canyon courtesy of Bill

Jerry, Bill and I continue on our climb up the ridge leading towards Half Dome. Slowly the Quarter Domes come into view on our right, with the promise of more scenic glory to come. There is the appropriate sounds coming from our lips when we reach the ridge top and see out across Tenaya Creek. Pywiack Cascade takes center stage for his act with Mt Watkins across the way. We see Brian's objective, Clouds Rest in back of the Quarter Domes. Then further back, is the country towards the Tioga Pass Road. So good.

But the trail leads even more upward from here. Fortunately, the scenery only gets better. We stop often to take pictures and enjoy the sight before us. Not only to the north do we see, but towards the south and east. Mt Starr King directly to the south with the Merced River drainage to the east. There is a snow pack back there, but not for long.

Snow Creek courtesy of Bill

As we reach Sub Dome, we do see spots of snow in the shade, but not much. We turn aside and have a snack looking across the Tenaya Creek canyon. Snow Creek Falls is right across the way from us. You can see the trail zig-zagging down, just being glad we are not on it right now, but I our hearts wishing we could be. North Dome and Basket Dome are a pair facing us. It is wonderful to be here.

Tenaya Canyon

Half Dome from the side

I induce Jerry to go a little ways up Sub Dome. The ranger stationed at the bottom says that they are almost done putting up the cable on Half Dome. But we are only interested in seeing a little more of a view above tree level. Climbing up another 150' we get that view. The stairs are rather unnerving, so we do not go very far. But the view is so open to make things worthwhile.

We descend, enjoying the views retreat from  our view. But we savior them as they leave us. I finally find the spring I was looking for on the way up. Another tree had fallen and some rounds had been cut, block it from view. Also, the spring was more mud than bubbly, not nearly as appealing as it had been in previous years. 

View From from Sub-Dome

We also meet two backcountry rangers on a training hike. Ranger Kahn will be north of Tuolumne Meadows along the PCT. I pick her brain about places to go for later on this summer. The other ranger is stationed out of Merced Lake. Fun seeing these rangers up

here.

Clouds Rest from Ridge

We get back to camp close to 3. Lunch is PB, Nutella and crackers, plus leftover goodies. The water filter is almost coming to a stop. Later on when I open it up, it really has a lot of stuff on it. So it is time to replace it. Bill goes to the river and wets his feet and fills his bottle. Brian comes in at 3:15 after successfully conquering Clouds Rest.

Half Dome From Clouds Rest courtesy of Brian

Brian on top of Clouds Rest courtesy of Brian

Trail head: Little Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: John Muir Trail

Destination:  Return back to car

Distance:  5.73 miles

Start Time:   4:04

End Time:    7:03

Travel Time: 2:58 (1.93 mph)

Moving Time: 2:35 (2.22 mph)

Elevation Rise:  326'

Maximum Elevation:  6,237'

Description:

After our semi-morning hike, it is time to return to the car. For the most part, the route is a repeat of our trip up. That is except for about half a mile right at the start. Instead of going by the river, go north and then take the diagonal. Brian and I see our Liberty. Cap path, about half-way on the diagonal, at its high point. Bill and Jerry have zoomed ahead while Brian and I lolly gag in back.

We hit the bridge over Nevada Falls, which confirms our thoughts that more water is flowing down the Merced than yesterday. The turbulence of the waters is mesmerizing, the violence of its rush over the side has a pull, but not an attraction. The rush contrasts with the stillness of the backdrop.

Liberty Cap courtesy of Bill

Jerry, Gary, Bill, Brian

But we need to go on since the hour is getting late and we want to be down before dark. Still Brian and I accosted some out of state folk and explained some of the wonders of Yosemite for about a mile. We even gave them some decent advice about what to do on a limited amount of time when close to Glacier Point. Wonder if they will ever come back to the Golden State? But just to show that I am a serial trail chatterer, I started talking with an English girl. She wanted to know about various parts of the Valley since she only had the next day to move on.

Brian was starting to feel the length of his hike, so he started to speed up. So I hiked with Bill and Jerry the rest of the way down. The car was a welcome sight when we come in around 7. On homeward we went, but nit before stopping at that Mecca of Oakhurst-Todd's! Perfect way to end our hike. Pleasantly content to make it back to Fresno by 10. The shower and bed felt good.