Catlories: When Cat Eats and Travels: yosemite

Yosemite National Park: Four Mile Trail

california August 25, 2016

Happy Birthday National Park Service! I am so thrilled to be one of several hundred million who enjoy the natural wonders of the park. Keep on preserving the natural splendor, educating the public, and engaging in thoughtful discussion. Cheers to many more years!

When Four Mile trail was first built, it was indeed 4.0 miles. After a couple decades, the trail was adjusted and is now slightly longer at 4.8 miles one-way. The climb from the valley floor to Glacier Point offers expansive views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls and Half Dome as the trail continues to ascend. This trail can also be completed in reverse from Glacier Point to the valley floor.

The trail begins in a woodsy area with the switchbacks starting almost immediately. Much of the joy in this trail comes from seeing the vantage point change while ascending up towards the peak. From seeing Yosemite Falls from the floor, being at eye level with Lower Yosemite Falls, continuing up and being eye level with Upper Yosemite Falls, and then being above Yosemite Falls. This advantage helps gauge the elevation gained and are also great places to rest a bit before continuing on. Parts of the trail did have trees to scramble over and rocks to climb over, but nothing too difficult, though some of the trail does get close to a cliff.

Some of the trail leading to and past Union Point had snow, so we trekked carefully. At one point, the snow cover completely covered the trail, making it difficult to advance forward. Though we did not make it to Glacier Point, we stopped in to take the views and the proud accomplishment that we hiked to nearly the top of the mountains framing Yosemite Valley. The snow-capped mountains are some of my favorite things to see while hiking and this trail did not disappoint!

On our descent, we made another stop at Union Point for a nice break and snack. The cloud cover had changed, giving the view towards El Capitan a dramatic scene.

The descent down the rugged terrain was hard on my knees, though the views of the clouds slowly forming a singular mass complemented the peaceful respite.

Start: Four Mile Trailhead (right side of the road)

Duration: 4-6hours

Difficulty: strenuous
Length: ~8.0 miles
Danger: variable weather, cliff drop-offs, scrambling over collapsed trees and rocks

Exposure: shaded in the morning, exposed in the afternoon

Crowd factor: moderately low

(hike completed in March 2016)

Happy travels!

Cat

Yosemite National Park: Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Little Yosemite

california August 24, 2016

The Vernal Fall - Nevada Fall - Little Yosemite trail happens to be the first trail that I have completed at Yosemite though I did visit the park when I was younger.

We parked at the Curry Village parking lot, and made our way to the trailhead through the gentle and shaded path along the road. When my friend and I arrived at the trailhead, we were astounded with the sheer number of visitors on the trail and that the first section up until the Vernal Fall bridge was paved! The trail is no easy feat as it climbs right from the start and levels for a bit at the footbridge. The footbridge is also where people can view a portion of the roaring river, return back to the trailhead after a bathroom stop and water refill.

There is a junction to head towards the John Muir Trail and Clark Point, though we picked the more popular option of heading towards Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail and we wanted to know the true meaning of the "Mist" trail.

Not long after heading on the left fork, we could hear the roar of the falls and carefully made our way around wet puddles, wet and slippery stone steps. The higher we climbed, the more wet it got and the louder the waterfall became. Rain jackets or ponchos are a must especially after a wet winter season and in the early spring months. After only a couple minutes, our jackets were soaked and our pants were wet, and that was before we dared each other to head straight into the shower of the falls, where we became seven more drenched. The mist is unavoidable as the waterfall's surface area impact showers the whole realm.

After grappling onto wet stones, we made our way through a narrow cliffside walk before approaching the massive rock that the Merced River is slowly chipping away at day by day. We took a break here, enjoyed the view, and continued the trek along the quiet, though evidently fast-flowing river. In the second photo below, Mount Broderick can be seen on the right.

At the second bridge that crosses the Merced River, we saw the water forcing its way through a narrow gulch where it eventually dropped into a pool that fanned out downstream. It seems possible to use it as a natural slide, though the danger and risks of the fast flowing river are so high that we stayed on the bridge and dreamed of the pleasure.

The trail begins to wind through a forested area where Nevada Fall's presence can be seen and heard.

The trail continues to climb on the left side of the falls via rocky steps and little shade. We took a lunch break here and when we made it to the top, we decided to head to Little Yosemite first. At this point, the trail's elevation change is less and not as strenuous as the climb up past Vernal and Nevada Falls, which is a nice break on our legs. Upon reaching Little Yosemite, we reflect upon the mirror-like qualities of the river and how it does similarly match the Yosemite valley where we parked our cars. This region is also where some backpackers can set up camp before making the climb to Half Dome.

On a whim, and to get a better view of the valley, we climb up a rock and we are so surprised to see the back of Half Dome. We stared in wonder and made a vow to come back one day. Climbing the dome does require a permit when the cables are up, though are ways to bypass that, such as: when we did meet a group who did attempt it without the cables (highly dangerous and limited to the brave and well-prepared) and we have heard of people actually climbing the rock's face from the valley floor with all their climbing gear.

After standing for a little while longer, my friend and I decided to turn around and head back to the trailhead. Along the way, we saw Liberty Cap, which is an interesting feature with its nearly vertical face and its wonderful position as it faces the sunset and Glacier Point.

The area surrounding Nevada Fall is more gentle, though there are a lot more opportunities to induce adrenaline pumping by staring down the waterfall to the rocks down below.

We went back down the same way we came as the John Muir Trail section was closed at the time, stopping by the top of Vernal Fall for another grand view. There were still quite a bit of people on the trail even as the sun started to set, and I can see why so many people attempt this trail.

Yosemite National Park: Vernal Fall - Nevada Fall - Little Yosemite via Mist Trail

Start: Nature Center at Happy Isles

Duration: 6-7 hours

Difficulty: moderately strenuous
Length: 9.6 miles RT
Danger: wet trail, sheer cliff drop-offs

Exposure: equal mix of shade and sun

Crowd factor: very high, though density decreases past each landmark

(hike completed in March 2016)

Happy travels!

Cat

Yosemite National Park: Tenaya Lake

california September 26, 2015

We were so sad to leave Dog Lake and its tranquil surroundings. My friend had never been around Tolumne Meadows (or on Tioga Road) for that matter, so we drove slowly around, checking out different highlights. As we were driving, we came across this beautiful lake, right along the side of the road. We decided to pull over and check it out. It was warm and the breeze felt wonderful as we soaked our feet in Tenaya Lake. There are multiple pull-outs on both sides of the road for Tenaya Lake. We even saw people swimming and picnicking, so yes, give it a go!

Happy travels!

Cat

For more about the Yosemite Tuolumne journey, check out the following posts:

Detour at Stanislaus National Forest
Picking up hitchhikers
Taking in the view at Mono Lake
First breath of Yosemite air at Ellery Lake
Frolicking at Gaylor Lakes
Clambering on Lembert Dome
Strolling around Dog Lake

Yosemite National Park: Dog Lake

california September 23, 2015

After checking out different viewing angles from different points on Lembert Dome, we continued to Dog Lake. The trails are very well marked, as long as you know where you're going!

The trail continuing to Dog Lake from Lembert Dome is more level though there is some minor elevation change. I don't remember any steep climbs.

Soon, the trail opens up to this magnificent view of the lake, framed by the trees encircling the lake and the mountains in the background.

We took our time walking around and spotted the perfect lunch spot. Being next to a lake has an incredibly calming feeling, and all of my anxieties and worries melted away.