November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike

Title: November 19, 2016 - A Different Wawona Meadow Hike
Hike Info : Description :  Background :  Extra Photo's  : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Wawona Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Old Raymond Rd, Mt Savage Rd, Connector Trail, Wawona Meadow Trail

Destination:South Entrance Guard Station
Actual Destination:Close to South Entrance Guard Station

Distance:  9.29 miles

Start Time:11:55

End Time:  5:12

Travel Time:  5:17  (1.76 mph)

Moving Time:  3:58  (2.34 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,461'

Maximum Elevation: 5,133'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Some trails you hike because of the destination, others you hike because of the journey. Today's hike is about the journey. But there is also a bonus. As  Annie Dillard says, Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there. At the end of the hike, we do have our moment of glory.

 We do not need to get too early of a start. But maybe getting started before 10 would have been better-so that we would get back before dark. On the other hand, we would have missed the main event. We stop briefly in Oakhurst for a donut and coffee. Then it is off to Wawona. At the entrance station, I get in the wrong line, but that is not bad. By the time our feet hit the ground and are ready to hike, it is noon.

Mt Savage Road

We decide we will eat after walking a ways. The first part of our hike is up the old Raymond Road. I am guessing this is one of the oldest road in Yosemite as this is how tourists first came to Wawona before going on to the Valley. The first part has a pretty good incline. We pass a family with with several kids enjoying the hike, as well as having target practice with some rocks. And that was the last of anybody which we would see for the next four hours.

Chilinuaha Creek Area

A short ways further, we come to where the road around Mt Savage Road meets up with the Old Raymond Road. Actually there is a another road cutting which meets up with our road earlier, but we went up to the top cut off there along this other road. We then start our trip around Mt Savage The incline is not as much and the road is all covered with leaves. Just nice and serene. Nothing which you would point to and say to someone, “You need to hike this.” On the other hand, I am attracted to this road, one is cut off from traffic and only a few people walk it.

 

Mt Savage From Wawona Meadow

After an hour, we come to the connector trail down to Wawona Meadow. Now we have a decision to go on the road or go down to the Meadow. This requires food power, so we stop for lunch. After a PB&Nutella lunch we decide to go on down the road which should lead to the South Entrance Guard Station. But we said that at 2:30, we would turn around.

After a short walk where the road continues to climb, we come to a saddle. Here we noticed a use trail going up towards Mt Savage. I had read there was something like this from this road. Looks like another hike. We continue on and the road gently drops. Then we come to a construction site and wonder what it is? (Later we find out there is an information center and parking lot going in.) We walk a little farther until it is 2:30. We may be only 200 yards from our goal, but it is time to turn around.

Construction Site

Sherri Walking the Connector Trail

We retreat back to where we had lunch. Remember that connector trail? It is time to drop down it. It is a well maintained trail, which shows little use. Certainly today we are the only ones using it. Lots of mountain misery along the side of the trail, but no scent. Must be the season. The trail descends, maybe a 800', in a short two miles. . But it is pleasant, quiet, like the rest of this trail. Nothing exciting from a visual point of view, more of relaxing walk.

Gary and Sherri

Eventually we make it down to the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. Here we have a decision: return along the west side of the meadow, the east side or take another connector trail to the Mariposa Grove Trail. Because of the time, we take the east side loop which will lead us to the Wawona Hotel and our car. But it is about a mile and a half further, but flat. Close by there is a stump which we stop at to eat a Luna bar and take a picture. Then our daughter Andrea calls Sherri's phone. After awhile, I got cold and put on a long sleeve shirt. Up until this time, it was cool, in the mid-50's, but we were moving and I felt comfortable. Now that we are sitting and talking, well I am getting cold. But don't get me wrong, I enjoy hearing my daughters voice and talking with her.

Wawona Meadow

After talking awhile, we move on. There are some places to get a good views of Wawona Meadow. We have caught up with a couple who are enjoying the views and evening. The sun, or what we think was a sun has set and it is getting dark. But then the clouds start to turn light, then golden, and the western sky reminds you something out of the Second Coming of Jesus.

Sun's Rays Catching the Clouds

We gawk at that for awhile admiring this and thinking that we have had a great hike and this is an ending which just cannot be beat. We reach the car about 5:15, a bit tired, but feeling good about our hike. We stop in Oakhurst for dinner at Pop's Diner. Then back home by 8:00pm. Time for a shower.

Background

Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, pg 287 (The Annie Dillard Reader)

From the Yosemite Conservancy, there is a timeline which indicates that in 2017 Complete new arrival plaza at the South Entrance, complete with parking, shuttle, hydration stations and a Yosemite Conservancy bookstore

As a note, I am calling the road between the Old Raymond Road and the South Guard Station Entrance in Yosemite as the Mt Savage Road. I do not know if it has a formal name or not. Also I am speculating that this road may have been the old road from the guard station to Wawona as I cannot figure out any other reason for it.

Extra Photo's

Unknown Peak, maybe Mt Raymond

Sherri where the Mt Savage trail takes off

The Scream

Tree in Sunlight

Colors along the South Fork of the Merced

Colorful Sky

 
Flowers and Plants

Maybe a Regal Butter Bolete

October 11, 2015 - Wawona Meadow and Mariposa Grove Trail

Title: October 11, 2015 -  Wawona Meadow and Mariposa Grove Trail

Trail head: Wawona Ranger Station

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Wawona Meadow Loop, Mariposa Grove Trail and its connector

Destination:Loop

Distance: 7.09 miles

Start Time:  1:18

End Time:    5:36

Travel Time: 4:17 (1.65 mph)

Moving Time: 3;14 (2.19 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,421'

Maximum Elevation: 5,110'

Description:

Wawona Meadow Tail

A beautiful day and its my wife's birthday to boot. So what do we do today? Go to church. And then what? Well, go hiking of course! That is Sherri's wish. We manage to leave Fresno a little after 11 and get to Wawona around 12:30. This is of course, after we get Sherri's permanent pass into the National Parks. One of the perks of growing up.

Birthday girl talking with Rachel

By the time we take care of business and get going it is after 1pm. But that is OK. The only thing is it is a hot October day. Another reason is we got to talk with Ranger Tucker on a mount. We talked for a while and as he was going, I asked about Mt Savage and if there are trails up to the top. He said there is a social trail which may be hard to find among the autumn needle and leave drop. In any case, stick to the ridges going up.

 The first part of our trail is around Wawona Meadow. It is a nice walk with only a little and up and down as we cross places where water has carved out a ravine. But we get views, across the way, including Wawona Dome and where Chilnualna Falls usually is. We walk at a fast, but nice pace-sort of sounds like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it?  We have a quick bite for lunch then off again, enjoying the shade and fall colors. Then our walk gets interrupted, not by one, but two calls wishing Sherri a Happy Birthday. The first is our daughter Rachel. The second is Sherri's childhood friend, Margaret. Don't these people know when we are enjoying a walk? (Said with a smile).

Water and Leaves

Prescribed Burn close to road

The conversations go on until we hit the far end of the meadow where we will turn off of the well worn trail. We stop while Sherri finishes up a conversation. Then head up towards the trail which will lead to Mariposa Grove.  The rising up is easy, even some flat places. I have not been on this trail before, so it is of interest to me. I can say there is nothing spectacular, just pleasant, including being surprised when we come across water in an unnamed creek. As we come close to highway 41, which leads into Wawona, we see the results of a prescribed burn-there has been a series of prescribed burns in the area over the past several years.

After we cross Highway 41, we come to the junction with the trail going from Wawona to Mariposa Grove. I do not know if the trail has a formal name or nor. I hiked it a year ago September when Karol made me a hike leader. So I cannot say I am vastly familiar with it, just been on it before.

Sherri

It is three o'clock, but Sherri wants to go on, so what can I say? It is her birthday. So we go up the trail for about an hour. She was hoping for some grand view, but this is not that kind of trail. So we need to content ourselves with enjoying the air, the trees, the mountain misery and each other. At the hour mark, we say it is time to go back. We are getting kind of hungry and it will start to turn dark by the time we get back.

Besides, the Park has Mariposa Grove closed this year and next for renovations. Maybe another day when we get an early start and are in a little bit better shape. One place we stop on the way down and I get out a book and start reading. After awhile I tell Sherri to go on ahead. I then realize that it has been more than just a few minutes since I told her that. So I skedaddle down and catch up to her right before the trail junction. Panic was starting set in on my part about where was Sherri going to go there. But I should not have feared as she would have gone the right way.

As we head on down, we realize we need a bit more energy. So out comes the jelly bellies, Luna bar and granola bar. I am sure each are highly nutritious, but they do provide for temporary energy and contentment. The path down towards Wawona is wide, like maybe part of an old road or something. The two of us can walk across from each other and talk. I am thinking how wise I was not to have gone up this like I did a year ago.

Around 5:30, we get back to the car and then move on to our dinner at Alice's, which used to be Todd's in Oakhurst. We make it back to Fresno by 7:30, a bit tired. Still our bodies do not hit the bed until 11pm.

September 9, 2015 - Chilnualna Falls

Title: September 9, 2015 - Chilnualna Falls

Trail head: Redwoods Cottages at Wawona

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Chilnualna Falls

Destination: Chilnualna Falls

Actual Destination: About a quarter mile short of the falls

Distance:  6.94 miles ¹

Start Time:  8:20

End Time:    2:49

Travel Time: 6:39 (1.04 mph)

Moving Time: 4:42 (1.48 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,042'

Maximum Elevation: 6,234'
 ¹Mileage is to where I stopped, not the top of the falls, about a quarter mile away.

Description:
I wake up this morning thinking, what was I thinking when I signed up for this hike? It is a pretty decent hike with a good ascent. I did go on a backpack trip three weeks ago, but not much hikng before that. But these are people whom I like hiking with, so, I will try this. I did this hike two years ago and know how hard it can be.

We meet at Kohl's at 6:00am. Karen G drives Dennis, Adrienne, John H and myself up without incident. We get to the trail head around 8:10 and start in shortly afterwards. I count around 16 people. The air is cool and mostly clear. I was really concerned that the smoke from the various fires would be here-a friend was in Wawona just a few days ago and was saying how smokey it was. That is the reason why Sherri is not up here today.

We start up and despite John W's injunction about him being last, I manage to slip to the rear. Cathey joins me and we quickly lose the pack of people. This is just as well. Cathey is a good person to talk to and the previous week I had lost my father who was 93. So I cannot say I was struggling, but it was soothing talking with her. I was glad to have this chance to be in more of a quiet place, with someone who was compassionate.

Ridge above Chilnualna Creek

Because of the drought, everything was dry. As a friend said that his wife needed to put on her glasses to see the little trickle of water coming down. But surprising there were some flowers out still, a bit wilted looking, but still there. Even in the best of times-such as Spring and early Summer, the scenery is not outstanding until you get high enough to look down onto Wawona or over to Wawona Dome. It is a trail you need to look for the beauty around you rather than have it come out and grab your eyes.

One of many planes fighting the Tenaya fire

Two things which broke the concentration of our talking and the looking for beauty. The first was the sound of aircraft. More specifically air tankers which are in route the the Tenaya Fire north of Yosemite Valley. It is starting to blaze up and the park wants to get a good handle on it before it explodes. We will hear that sound all day as the tankers go from the Fresno Air Terminal over to Yosemite Valley and back. They certainly are impressive.

The second  interruption happened while I was talking with a backpacker coming down from a two night trip. I was asking where he found water-Johnson Meadow. After I left him, I came across Cathey frantically waving me over and pointing under a boulder. What was she seeing? A rattle snake! I took too long to focus my camera as he skirted away before I could shoot him-with my camera. No danger, just a reminder that there can be.

Towards Wawona

By this time, we are pretty far up the trail and able to see down into Wawona.Some smoke is starting to make its way into the area, but so far none which is bothersome. What is bothersome is the heat. And it is starting to get hot and we are getting into the more exposed part of the trail with its granite. The good part is we are close to the end and the major part of the climb is completed. So we take a break, just as the trail reaches Chilnualna Creek, right before the Falls.

The good part is we are able to dip stuff into the creek and it is cool. The bad? Well, there is not much of the creek, maybe about six inches across, but at least the water is enough that it is walking and not stagnate. Looking up, not much of a fall. Also looking up, we see some hikers-hey, isn't that part of our group?

Yep, certainly is and more are coming. Cathey and I decide to go back with the group. We are only about a quarter mile from the top, but the falls are not good looking right now-some would say non-existent-and it is hot and John, the last person, is coming down the trail. We take the hint and start down.

Wawona Dome and Hikers

On the way down, I hike with Jerry K, Rose and Karen. First, let me say, down is easier, but it is harder on the body. But the talk which goes with the walk is good and enjoyable. You notice the trend? Hiking can be solitary or social, boisterous or meditative. It depends on who you are with and what frame of mind you want to walk in.

But even pleasant people do not remove the heat element. As we travel lower, I can feel the heat just sapping my energy, not having a bite to eat at the Falls also contributes. But the heat is what is getting to me. I am constantly sucking on my bit-valve. Glad I filled up the bladder. I do stop for a Clif Bar and quickly catch up with our group.

Not much more to say about the trip down, except we did passed a couple groups of people going who looked ill-prepared for the heat and climb-only a liter or so of water. From experience, there is only so much you can do to convince people they really should turn around. Age is not a determinate factor. The young think they are young and can do anything; the old know they know better.  I think the best I can do is just look haggard-which in this case, it is easy to do.

We get back to the cars around 2:45 and wait around the the remaining people. Are car is ready to go and there are some who do not car to stop in Oakhurst for dinner. I am sort of torn between dinner and trying to get back before Sherri goes on her WOW bike ride. So I return with my car. We tell Jerry K we are leaving and ask him to let John W know. The talk in the car ranges from geeky stuff to conspiracy theories to the mundane. We get back to Kohl's around 5:15 and I give Sherri a call to see if she can pick me up-she can and does. When I get home, I end up downing several glasses of cold sun tea just to get re-hydrated, Takes about 45 minutes to feel energetic enough for a shower. But I am glad I went. It was good being out.


Trail Lesson:
Be aware of your environment-take stock before you leave and make sure you have enough resources to enjoy your hike.

June 12, 2014 - Mariposa Grove

Title: June 12, 2014 - Mariposa Grove

Trail head: Mariposa Grove Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Grizzly Giant/Outer Loop

Destination: Wawona Point

Distance:  7.02 miles

Start Time:  11:31

End Time:     4:43

Travel Time: 5:11 (1.35 mph)

Moving Time: 3:22 (2.09 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,409'

Maximum Elevation: 6,806'

Description:

Grizzly Giant

I get up a little after 6 to a silent house to have my quiet time in. Sherri gets up at 7:30. By the time the three of us hit the road, it is after 9:30. Sherri drives, so I work on yesterday's blog entry.  We did not hit the trail at Mariposa Grove until 11:30, which is ok since we want a shorter hike, then stopping in Oakhurst at the South Gate Brewery on the way back.

Gary and his backpack

Sherri leads us straight up the trail to the Grizzly Giant. Usually we loop around and descend to this tree. Then it is onward to the California Tree. We talk to a women from Kona with two kids.  They follow us up a ways, then they cut over to the Clothespin Tree while we continue straight up to the saddle which is the entrance to the Meadow where the museum is. But before going to the museum, we enjoy the use of flush toilets.

Mariposa Museum

At the museum, we do not actually go in it, but we fix our lunch on the porch steps. Here we meet a volunteer named David L with his wife Maggie. They volunteer here for a month at a time. He sees our backpacks and we talk. First about backpacking, then about the history of the area, particularly Galen Clark. It is good to see another one who enjoys knowing the background of the area he is in. David told me of an interesting paper by Frederick Law Olmstead which served as the foundation for the National Park System.

Walking among the Sequoia's

Steven being rooted

 

Wawona Area from Wawona Point

Inside Telescope Tree

After our extended lunch, we leave around 2 for Wawona Point. My muscles must have atrophied during lunch. It seems a lot harder walking and carrying my pack now. Of course we are going up pretty good on a road. The sight from Wawona Point looks down onto the golf course and hotel, plus where Chilnualna Creek drains into.

Telescope Tree

We stay only long enough to enjoy the view, rest up some and continue on our way. We take the Outer Loop a Trail past the Fallen Tunnel Tree-it is fallen, so the tree is spread across the road below. Then we continue on to the a Telescope Tree. Of course we look up and see the sky. Then down to the saddle and restrooms.

Walking Down

From here, we cut across the museum meadow, to the north-east, where we catch the other side of the Outer Loop Trail. From here it is almost all a descent back to the parking lot. But on the way down we see several deer. After getting the car, it's off to Oakhurst and dinner.

April 17, 2013 - Chilnualna Falls

Title: Date, Hike

Trail head: Wawona-Redwood Cabins

Hike Info:

Trail: Chilnualna Falls

Destination:Chilnualna Falls

Distance:  7.84

Travel Time: 6:15 (1.25 mph)

Moving Time: 4:42 (1.66 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,346'

Maximum Elevation: 6,408

Description:

It is Wednesday, and another hike with our meetup group. This time it is to Chilnuala Falls, near Wawona. We meet at Kohls at 6:30 and get to Wawona at 8:30, after stopping at Tenaya Lodge for a restroom break. Bill and Danielle rode up with us--it is Danielle's first time with our meetup group. She is from Breckenridge, CO.

By 8:50, we are on the trail. The first part is one of the more steep parts of the 4 miles of trail. We make pretty good time. Last night's wind storm brought a light covering of snow to the mountains, about 1-3" worth. But this is good. The trail could get hot if it wanted to and the snow provided a pleasant covering. Because of the climb, after a mile I take off the jacket and hike in short sleeves.

Part of Chilnuala Falls

Snow and ice would be our constant companion on this trail today. But it made for some interesting and beautiful presentations as we walked along. The creek's roar from its cascade accompanied us all the way up to the falls. While we knew we were going up, the semi-winter scenes made the going some easier. The manzanita bushes were out in bloom, with the mountain misery still sparse and unscented. Oaks lined the path with some of sugar pines towering above.

After the first third of a mile, the steepness decreased. But we were still going up, but at a more moderate pace. Around each corner the cascades which make up the Falls would show a different view. Even when we were coming down, the Falls looked different. Never a dull moment.

Chilnuala Falls

Approaching the Falls is a long piece of exposed trail, running across granite. In the morning, this is shaded. With the snow, parts of it are icy, but manageable. I did slip once and had to balance myself against a large rock or take a tumble. When we round a corner, the we find we are close to the water's edge and a few of our group have decided this is a good stopping place for them. But up we go another quarter mile where the rest of the meetup group has availed themselves of a fine place to have lunch and sun-bath, clothed of course.  At this spot, the one remaining cataract shows itself with other parts of the falls below us. Even though there is ice on the river, the sun feels warm.

Snowy path

It is time to come down. After the trip up, going down is a breeze. Everybody charges ahead, even Sherri who usually holds back. So I get to be in the company of John and Cathey on the way down. Good conversations, which is part of hiking. That is to enjoy each other and get to know others better. Even in our college days, that was at least equal to the joy of walking in the beauty of the Sierra's.

We get back to the car a little after 3. Most of us are ready for a bite to eat and what better place to eat than Todd's in Oakhurst. It does not disappoint as we all are satisfied. Sherri even got some blueberry breadpudding.  A good day it was.

Ice fibers

Icy Cliff

How Cold Was It?

From Ann Marie Brown's book, California Waterfalls, page 95:

Most people dopn't expect too much from the southern section of Yosemite National Park. Sure, everyone visits the Mariposa Grove to see the big sequoias, but other than that, the area doesn't take up too much of the average visitor's itinerary. But while everyone else is in the valley or at Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows, you can sneak off to the southern park of the park, take a rigorous hike, and be rewarded with a terrific waterfall: Chilnualna Falls near Wawona, one of my favor falls in Yosemite.