Author Topic: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017  (Read 9371 times)

Percy

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Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« on: 11:30:39, 26/08/17 »

We spent a fortnight in California earlier this summer. The highlight for me was a couple of nights in Yosemite which allowed me to get out for a full day hike.


Prior to going I joined a Yosemite hiking forum to ask advice about the best hike I could do from Yosemite Valley. I got lots of helpful suggestions and decided on a circular route: starting out from our tent in Curry Village I walked along the road westwards to pick up the Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point. Glacier Point is supposed to have the best views in the park and, as you'll see later, it didn't disappoint. From Glacier Point I followed the Panorama Trail, joined the John Muir trail for a short distance and returned to the valley along the Mist Trail.


As around 4000 feet of ascent was going to come right at the start of the hike I wanted to get that out of the way before it got too hot. The first place I could get breakfast opened at 7am so I was fed and walking by 7:30am.


I may get some of the names wrong in this TR as I'm not familiar with the area, if anyone knows better please let me know.


This is looking north towards Washington Column and North Dome just after I'd set off:





Shortly after I left the road I could see the scale of the climb ahead of me:





Another look north across the valley floor just before beginning the ascent:





The Four Mile Trail up to Glacier Point was a seemingly endless series of switchbacks, the path was very good and in the shade so I made quick progress.





I spent the first couple of miles overtaking a German family when they stopped to rest or take photos only for them to overtake me 5 minutes later as I rested or took pictures. The views got better and better as I gained height.


This looking west down the valley with the Merced River at the bottom:





And across the valley to Yosemite Falls:





As I just said, the higher I got the better the views:





And finally a first glimpse of the legendary Half Dome through the trees:





Shortly after this the trail levelled off indicating that I was nearly at Glacier Point:





There's a shop with refreshments and a toilet at Glacier Point. There's also a road up there so I emerged from the relative solitude of the trail to find loads of people:





I bought a sandwich and a drink and had a good 30 minutes of rest here. I took a bunch of photos for some Japanese people in front of this view:








You can get to the summit of Sentinel Dome from here - it's about 2 hours there and back but as I still had at least 10 miles to do I decided against it. From Glacier Point the Panorama Trail heads south initially before turning east.


These are shortly after leaving Glacier Point, are you bored of Half Dome pictures yet?








In the following photo the trail disappears off the right of the picture, drops into the valley, then climbs to the waterfalls you can see in the middle of the picture. The upper falls are Nevada Falls, the lower Vernal Falls.





The Panorama trail was much busier than the Four Mile Trail. I assume lots of people get the shuttle bus up to Glacier Point, thereby cutting out almost all of the ascent, and walk back to the valley.


Looking southeast along the trail:





This is the small part of the John Muir trail I walked, we cross the river here and begin the ascent to the falls. It was just after midday now and getting really hot, I had my Sawyer filter with me so had a long and much need drink:








Another series of switchbacks followed as I climbed again, thankfully much of the trail was shaded by trees:





I finally emerged from the trees and reached Nevada Falls. The first photo gives you a good idea of how incredible the rock is in Yosemite. The bridge over the falls and looking down:








Then looking back at the falls after starting my descent back to Yosemite Valley:








It started to get really busy here, the falls are only a couple of miles from the accommodation in the valley so it's the most popular walk for most people. It was a bit congested and very slow going on these steps:





The Mist Trail is so called because of all the spray from the falls and rapids, this section would have been
better described as the 'Winter Rain in Manchester' Trail as everyone got an absolute soaking with really cold water here. It was bliss for an Englishman who had been walking for 5 or 6 hours in 25+ degrees:





A perfect rainbow at the foot of the falls:





Soon after the falls the trail levelled out and was absolutely swarming with people, I was very much looking forward to a pint now so got a bit of a march on to finish off the last mile or so.


Here's what sun cream, sweat and a dusty trail do to your legs. There might be a hint of tan in there too!





A fantastic day of walking. I'm already thinking about when I can return for an extended stay. The John Muir Trail has joined the GR20 at the top of my to do list. Here's the route and viewranger stats:





gunwharfman

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #1 on: 15:03:32, 26/08/17 »
Very nice photos Percy, very nice! Yes like me, I really fancy the GR20. I might have done it too but I dithered, the school holidays started, my son got married and then of course the air fares rocketed! I thought of going this September but.............................!

As usual real life matters got in the way, a couple of extended family illnesses are ongoing, my wife and I have to go to Spain sometime in September/October so very soon it will be the wrong time of the year to go anyway. Drats!

I'm keen to have a go next June, anyway I'm at least going to plan for it. I've already bought the Cicerone guide to start me off. If you fancy a companion (barring unforeseen personal problems or illness) I'm your man! Sounds an ideal 2018 Walking Forum project to me?

pdstsp

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #2 on: 17:07:26, 26/08/17 »
Fantastic pictures - and that looks one superb walk.


adalard

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #3 on: 17:52:49, 26/08/17 »
What a stunning landscape - and your pictures of it are superb!  O0 

sunnydale

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #4 on: 15:55:28, 27/08/17 »
Excellent report & the photos are stunning Percy 8)  An experience I wouldn't mind having myself! :D
***Happiness is only a smile away***

roughyed

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #5 on: 09:53:52, 03/09/17 »
Thank you for posting!

I have done the Panorama Trail a couple of times, and much prefer it to the Mist Trail.  Its quieter and not as steep!

Jac

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #6 on: 12:39:30, 03/09/17 »
Wow! What a wonderful walk, stunning scenery, super pics - on the wish list for me too now.
So many paths yet to walk, so little time left

April

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #7 on: 08:34:57, 05/09/17 »
Great photos of a stunning area, you lucky sod  O0
Hate will never win

Percy

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #8 on: 08:57:37, 05/09/17 »
I am indeed a lucky sod. ;D


Thanks for the kind comments everyone.


GWM - the GR20 next year is a distinct possibility. Have you been to Corsica before? I had a week there a couple of years ago. Amazing but a [censored] to get around. I was thinking of July rather than June. I'm also toying with the idea of getting the train to the south of France and taking a ferry over. Adds a day to the journey but would be much more interesting. I can get cheap flights from home to Bastia but only on a Sunday. Getting to Calvi and Calenzana from there on a Sunday is tricky I believe. €100 in a taxi as no trains or buses. I would also think of having a break in the middle of the trail where you can get the train to Corte.

Penygadair

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #9 on: 13:46:23, 05/09/17 »
Only just picked this thread up. Superb pics and narrative. As you say you're one lucky guy Percy.


I'm assuming that all the training on the Altrincham Circular prove worthwhile - especially when it came to avoiding wild animals.  ;D

Percy

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #10 on: 14:54:10, 05/09/17 »
Only just picked this thread up. Superb pics and narrative. As you say you're one lucky guy Percy.


I'm assuming that all the training on the Altrincham Circular prove worthwhile - especially when it came to avoiding wild animals.  ;D
Particularly being savaged by a squirrel in Stamford Park. :o

White Horse Walker

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #11 on: 13:39:51, 09/10/17 »
One word - wow!
~
Sue

Mel

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #12 on: 18:49:36, 09/10/17 »
Fantastic photos Percy.  I'm not sure how I managed to miss this TR first time.  It looks amazing.


Wasn't there a rockfall recently-ish in Yosemite NP?

White Horse Walker

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #13 on: 10:51:23, 10/10/17 »
Fantastic photos Percy.  I'm not sure how I managed to miss this TR first time.  It looks amazing.


Wasn't there a rockfall recently-ish in Yosemite NP?


Very sadly, yes. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/28/welsh-climber-killed-partner-badly-injured-yosemite-rock-fall/
 :(
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Sue

Mel

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Re: Yosemite National Park, 18th July 2017
« Reply #14 on: 20:01:53, 10/10/17 »
Oh no!  That is sad news  :(

 

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