August 26, 2016 - Woodchuck Lake

Title:  August 26, 2016 - Woodchuck Lake
Hike Info : Description :  Menu :  Flowers and Plants

 

Trail head:Woodchuck Creek

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail: Woodchuck Lake

Destination:  Woodchuck Lake

Distance:  4.92 miles

Start Time: 10:04

End Time:    4:35   

Travel Time:  6:30 (0.76 mph)

Moving Time:   4:43 (1.04 mph)

Elevation Rise:  2,039'

Maximum Elevation: 9,909'

Description:
I got up a little bit before 7 and had my quiet I'm up on a rock, away from camp. I guess that is sort of ironic isn't it? (You may need to have some Christian background for that statement.)  When I came back from my morning, Rose was already up and Sherri was just getting up. It is a slow morning and we enjoy the easily time. we had our breakfast was right before we left-the usual oatmeal. But for some unusual reason Sherri says that this morning's concoction is pretty good.

Wishon Reservoir area

We get started around 10-we do not seem to have a quick get away do we?. We will not be heading towards Crown Lake like we original thought. Looks like we are going to Woodchuck Lake, that is about a 2000 foot gain over close to 5 miles.

Rose on the prowl

The first stage is about 350' rise and gives us a taste for what today. Glad we did not do this climb last night for two reasons:

• We were tired when we got into camp last night
• Where would we have camped? No water at this time of year and few camp spots.

But we stop for a break and enjoy our rest a little longer than what we needed to. As we are ready to leave, Adam and Jason come along. They are the young men who we met last night just before we pitch camp. Sort of surprised that they are coming up after us since they look like they were people who would be up at the crack of dawn and hiking.

After our break it is some more climbing.  It it is all trees with some meadows and then an occasional rock. From those occasional rocks, sometimes we can look out over what we are climbing and know that we are working.  I won't say that these views are sensational but it has been nice just to stop and gaze on what we have gone up. On the other hand, our conversation has been minimal, to conserve our precious oxygen.

Gary

Our trip continues are not bored as I've said before that it's a story of the day. We just enjoy the climb, going one step after another. I am last, probably says something about me. Sometimes though it is nice to be fast and so that you can. All and that is what I do a lot of times it is nice just to see do woods without the layer test coming up off of our feet.

We get to the first junction, which goes to Chuck Pass. From there, we continue on our way up to Woodchuck Lake. That is another 1500 feet above us. We still have quite a climb and we can tell that we are not quite a fifth of the way. Even though we have done a similar climb out of Little Yosemite Valley a few weeks ago, this one, like LYV, is taking a toll on us.

We will climb above this

A little ways further we decide to stop for lunch break. There's a nice large meadow which we enjoy looking at. On the far side of it is a snow measurement marker. Also, I think this is close to the spot which the map shows a historical location-meaning no longer there-called the Moore's Boys Camp. You sort of wonder what kind of camp this was.  Sherri has the rest of her Subway sandwich and I have a concoction of dried peanut butter and water, with a bit of Nutella thrown in-of course.

Rose starts out in front followed shortly by Sherri. I  stay behind to finish a chapter in the Lord of the Rings, about 10 minutes. That, as you may have figured out, does not bother me any. But there is a discussion  between Sherri and Rose about whether they should wait for me at the next junction. As it turns out, Rose goes ahead and Sherri waits around until she sees me, to make sure I do not turn the wrong way. The way my navigational skills have been lately, that is probably a good choice.

Our Lunch Meadow

Now Sherri and I start the remaining climb. It is a long one-a full 1000 feet remaining to go up. But its not a straight up push, but a grinding, continual climb. There's not much in the way of varying scenery even though the trees are great to have around both for shade and just for the relaxing the eyes. They give me a refreshed state of mind.

Rose is climbing pretty good. Later on when we catch up to her,  she said that she found her stride and is able to make good time. That is when hiking becomes a joy, when we can feel the body in rhythm and just let the legs flow with that rhythm. The hike becomes a joy. Sherri and I are not quite in that rhythm though. We eventually catch up with Rose when she pauses for a while (I suspect for a great while, but she doesn't say how long).

Camp at Woodchuck Lake

From this point it is only another 400 feet to the top-is that only or an "oh no"?  Sherri and I are getting pretty tired. By the time which we meet the top, we get a final  disappointment for the day: thee is not a good view of the lake. Do not take it that this has been a disappointing day, not at all. But in this instance, you hope for the view, but there there are too many trees covering the horizon. But we know Woodchuck Lake is close by. As we start down the hill it's only about a 50 foot drop before we meet Rose and the lake.

Rose has scouted out the lake for campsites, at least the north part of it. She has found some campsites and selected one. It looks pretty good but being the kind of guy I am, I wandered around and find one slightly better. Both would be adequate. But we go to the other one since its gone a nice view of the lake and it's a bit flattered. Also, it does not look like it will flood if it rains.

Wandering

After setting up the campsite (37.04331, -118.88342), we get into a  more relaxed mode.  We sort of wander around a little bit and look at the lake, enjoying it. Then time to eat-on the trail, it is always time to eat. Some have bird size appetites, others bear. Mine is a bit reduced, but I feel like I eat enough to keep going.

Southern End of Woodchuck Lake

Sherri and I have a little bit too much garbage to put into the bear canister,  so up it goes up into the trees. I say to myself , this is a pretty good hang, a real work of art-see tomorrow's post for a picture.. By this time it is dark and we are tired. We say goodnight to Rose and off to bed, or should I say bag? But Sherri and I do have the advantage of the phone which has movies on it. So we watch about 20 minutes worth of A Walk in the Woods before turning in.
 

Sunset

Sunset

Woodchuck Lake

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Ritz Crackers, Peanut Butter, Nutella	Mountain House Lasagna	Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

 
Flowers and Plants

August 25, 2016 - Woodchuck Creek

Title:  August 25, 2016 - Woodchuck Creek
Hike Info : Description :  Menu : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head:Woodchuck Trail Head near Wishon Reservoir

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trail:Woodchuck Country

Destination:At least Chuck Pass Trail Junction
Actual Destination:Woodchuck Creek

Distance:  5.72 miles ¹

Start Time:12:06

End Time:    6:30 

Travel Time:  6:23 (0.90 mph)

Moving Time:  4:31  (1.27 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,806'

Maximum Elevation: 8,076'

 ¹Usually I have my spreadsheet to ignore anything less than 0.5mph. But because of the steepness, I changed it to 0.1mph.

Gary already resting

Description:

 Today is our start of our 4 or 5 day trip with Rose. Rose was one of our JMT hiking group. She had to go off the trail some foot problems. but she is all recovered and ready to hit a trail again.

I get up around 6:30 and Sherri gets up shortly afterwards. We leave the house after 8 and reach Rose's house about 8:45. After saying goodbye to Rose's husband, Jeff, Rose drives us up to Wishon Reservoir. We first stop in Prather to get our lunch and dinner. The ladies behind the counter are blast and we enjoyed the jousting. By this time we get to Wishon, it's around 10:45. By the time it we get the trail it's after 11  (my GPS says that it was after 12-so I think my sense of time is off as well as direction.) when we get started).

On the Trail

Mountains, but not ours

Something needs to be said about the start of the trail. The trail head sign we were looking for said Woodchuck.  So when a sign says Woodchuck along with an area map and a parking area, you sort of think this is the place. But little did I realize that we're about 300 feet below where we thought we were starting. So this is about another three quarters of a mile and a 300 foot to add to our hike. Its just that's  how my starts are going lately. Some mishap at the start and lot of fun as it go along.

We reach the road which goes to the Woodchuck pack station.  And now we start our climb. Its not a steep one, just a long progression across a ridge rather than up it.  I for one am glad of the gradualness of the climb. I really would not want to go up this straight thing as the topo map leaves me tired just looking at it. We round the ridge and then climb up some more. By this time we are into the trail about an hour and so we take off for packs and take a break. Shortly afterwards a packer comes down the trail and talks with Sherri and Rose. He wonders is it just them two? They comment that their token male is resting over by the tree-that's me. I feel so used :-)

Crossing Woodchuck Creek-Rose and Sherri

We continue on and we had our first water and crossing. This is a hopeful sign as we have only seen moist spots so far. I believe that this is Woodchuck Creek. Now the trail really starts to rise and we start sweating as it is warm and we are in the middle of the afternoon. I can't say that there's anything wonderful about the scenery except just being out in the woods. That is always great.

Another hill-Sherri and Rose

About 4 o'clock we hit some water after climbing up at least 800-1,1000; from the creek. After looking at the map we realize that there's another 3 to 400 foot rise until we get more water, if it is there. Also will there be a place to sleep close by? The topo map shows those contour lines close together.  Since we do not know if that will have water or if there will be a campsite close by, we decide to stay at the 8,000' mark and find a place to pitch tents.

Camp by Woodchuck Creek

Actually, we do find a pretty good place to pitch our tents and even have good water access (37.01698, -118.92316).  So this is where we will stay the night.We have our Subway sandwiches for dinner.  After a while this getting dark and cold and soul we go to bed.

Before signing off, we met a couple of hikers-Jason and Adam. They were looking for a place to camp. But decided to go up a bit farther-we did not see them again that night.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Breakfast at home	Subway sandwich	Subway sandwich	Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Wishon Dam

Flowers and Plants

Possibly Baby Blue Eyes?

Mountain Ahs? Bitter Cherry> Or Something Else?

August 21, 2016 - Bridalveil Creek to Glacier Point

Title:August 21, 2016 - Bridalveil Creek to Glacier Point
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Menu : Extra Photo's : Animals 

Trail head: Bridalveil Creek

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Pohono Trail

Destination: Glacier Point

Distance:  5.52 miles

Start Time: 8:15

End Time:  12:41  

Travel Time:  4:25 (1.25 mph)

Moving Time:  3:05 (1.79 mph)

Elevation Rise:1,534'

Maximum Elevation: 7,759'

Description:

Bridalveil Creek with Fireweed

With Sonya along, I am no longer the first one up. This is sort of nice, but a change in the rhythm of my mornings. Usually since I am the first one up, I sort of wander off, do a short hike or find a quiet place and meditate or sing some hymns or play my recorder. This is not a bad thing. Occasionally it is good to break your routine and enjoy another way of doing things.

Sherri gets up shortly after I do and we have our oatmeal breakfast. We are a bit slow breaking camp. I think this is more of a "relaxed" mode than Sonya is used. But today is not a big push day either. We need to go about 6 miles to Glacier Point. Most of it is of the rolling variety. About 8:15 we take off, crossing the bridge over Bridalveil Creek.

Hikers on the Pohono Trail

Have you ever noticed that there is more bridges out on trails these days. I am not altogether sure that is a good thing. I know that in places, it really makes crossing rivers and creeks a lot easier. On the other hand, there is a certain skill which has immediate consequences for failure if your skills are not up to par. Probably just my crotchetiness coming into play. Maybe I do need those moments of quiet to get me into a proper frame of mind.

For awhile I walk with Sonya, asking her borderline obnoxious questions. Nothing terribly bad or "inappropriate", or even having her come close to swatting me. But it was more of my wondering about things with limited amount of data for me to work on. Most of my questions are off base. But that earns me a title of "Thinker". After reflection, not sure that is an accurate label, but maybe "Ponderer" would be more appropriate. Somehow I cannot see myself as a Rodin statue.

El Capitan from an Unnamed Point

But after a little while two things happen. First, I realize that Sherri is dropping further and further back. Second, and even more important, that I will not be keeping up this pace for 6 miles. So I make the feeble excuse that I will be waiting for Sherri and walking with her.

Taft Point from Unnamed Point

But even that feeble excuse becomes weaker. There was this little unnamed point (37 deg 42' 25.29", -119 deg 36' 35.66") which offers superb views and a nifty campsite. i think it would be a great place to stay a night. According to the topo map, there is even a spring close by. But I think I would want to check it out first. Until then, I think I would relegate it to a Spring, early Summer campsite.

Fissures

Gary approaching Taft Point

But having made my side excursion, I am now behind, way behind, both of the girls. Of course his means that I can go as fast, or slow, as I want. But the terrain is conducive to my longer stride, so I feel comfortable walking at a good clip. This brings me quickly to Taft Point and the Fissures.

El Capitan from Taft Point

The sun is starting to get a bit warm and Taft Point is a bit exposed, so it is time to get moving on. But not before Sherri makes a lizard a star-if my kids say I am a paparazzi, does that make Sherri a lizarozzi? (You can see the results of her work below .)

Clouds and Sentinel Dome

Sherri seems to be in an animal stalking mood today. I had stopped for some more pictures when Sherri find a doe which had uncovered some mushrooms. She spends some time getting a good picture of it. We all wonder if this is a stoner deer.


At the junction between going to Sentinel Dome and Point, we rejoin Sonya for a ways. We decide, or at least I express a preference,  for the Point-this is one of those wonders which does not get much attention. 

Clouds are starting to gather, which means two things to me. First is are we going to get some rain or lightening? Second, cool-look at those clouds gathering and framing these difference places, turning them from just your everyday, garden type of Yosemite wonder to special scenes. Sentinel Dome gets framed with a majestic looking clouds. To be fair, the clouds is well in back of the dome.

Panorama from Sentinel Point

Storm Clouds

And then there is the eye candy when we get to Sentinel Point. There is a large flat space here where you can view a wide section of the Valley. When Yosemite Falls is running, you can see all three of them from here. Being late in the season, with sharp eyes, you can make out a little mist, but nothing to travel 10 miles for.

But we still see our clouds rolling in and are reminded it is time to move on. Not that it truly looks like it will rain on us. But they give us a warning.

Half Dome

The rest of the trail gives us view points of greatness. Previously I have explored several of these places and have appreciated the views. But today, there is a certain feeling of wanting to get on. And I think Sonya feels that way as she moves on ahead of us old ones. A word here. Sonya never pushes us or even gives a hint of wanting us to go faster. But she can turn on the rockets if she needs to. So in that sense, she is a good hiking partner for us, along with being an all-around pleasant person. And yet, it is good to get a little separation so that Sherri and I can do what married couples do-no not THAT! But just enjoy each others company. One of those things is to take pictures of ourselves, which we do where this trail has a rise over a shoulder of Sentinel Dome's ridge. There is such a great backdrop there with Half Dome just waiting for us to get to Glacier Point.

Sherri and Half Dome

Gary and Half Dome

Speaking of Glacier Point, I am getting hungry. Why is the last mile to a trail always the longest? Sherri and I have a date with Sonya and a sandwich there. So we start moving. Even though it is all downhill from here, it just not seem fast enough. When we get to the store, Sonya is waiting there patiently, reading her Kindle, in the sun. Sherri and her go in for a sandwich while I get to enjoy the sun while guarding the packs.

Half Dome and Clouds

Uninvited Lunch Guests

We go to the start of the Four Mile Trail to have our lunch in the shade. Our friends, the meat bees, find us and wonder why have we not invited them for lunch? But a small piece of meat keeps them satisfied, at least away from my mouth. But Sherri is bothered by them and puts in an extra mile trying to keep away from them.

Our Trailhead?

After lunch, we hop on the Glacier Point shuttle. Here Sonya gets in a conversation with a family from England-this is there last day in the Park. Then as McGuirk Meadow trail head comes into view, our friendly driver asks us where our vehicle is parked. She lets us out right by Sonya's jeep. What service! As we leave the Park, we pay a stop to a scene of my misdeed-Mariposa Country Transfer Station, where my navigational error is immortalized in picture. Sonya then drives us back to Oakhurst where we have a scoop of Reimer's ice cream. Good stuff! We then get to Sonya's place glad we have done this trip with Sonya, hoping that there will be more.

Trail Lesson:

Occasionally it is good to break your routine and enjoy another way of doing things.




Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Sandwich from Glacier Point store Stop in Oakhurst at Reimers for ice cream.	At home	Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Half Dome and BackCountry

 
 

Three Brothers from Taft Point

Leaving Taft Point

Animals

Sherri's Lizard

Mushroom Munching Deer