WHICH ONE MUM?
The Yosemite share has dozens of trekking trails. There is a bunch of proficient ones in the due north of the park along Tioga Pass Road in addition to in the Hetchy Hetchy resevoir areas, others in the south including Mariposa Grove, a slap-up selection inward Yosemite Valley itself in addition to to a greater extent than but to the valley's due south along Glacier Point road. You tin lavatory regard what's available inward these areas on the National Park's Hikes page.
VALLEY TREKS
I had a brusk Tioga Pass Road gallop earmarked but equally common I was running belatedly (too many slap-up places along highway 395 upwards the eastern side of the Sierras) in addition to drove across the high in addition to scenic Tioga inward the dark. So my trekking was confined to trails heading upwards from the valley itself. National Parks has a slap-up map showing the diverse trails in addition to a lot of other valley detail HERE
No shortage of selection from the valley - the large daddy of twenty-four hours hikes** is the HALF DOME trek, a tough but really scenic 14mile/23km circular trip walk which gains 4800ft/1500m. However the in conclusion super steep department has cable-assist, in addition to to hold crowds downwardly on this tricky department National Parks has a lottery organisation for permits, I didn't receive got a permit in addition to worked out likely the adjacent best was the 4 MILE TRAIL-PANORAMA TRAIL loop.
**there are overnight treks too. Hell, the awesome JOHN MUIR TRAIL starts at Happy Isles inward the valley in addition to goes 210 miles/338km to Mount Whitney meandering thru King's Canyon in addition to Sequoia National Parks. If 338km is a chip brusk you lot tin lavatory branch off onto the PACIFIC CREST TRAIL of WILD movie fame.
Didn't encounter anyone equally cute equally Reese on my treks.
(image Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
THE BIG LOOP - 4 MILE TRAIL/SENTINEL DOME SIDE TRACK/PANORAMA TRAIL
My BIG LOOP involves the following: 4 Mile Trail from valley floor to Glacier Point - side trail to Sentintel Dome - Panorama Trail back to valley floor.
GLACIER POINT is ane of the most visited viewpoints inward Yosemite. I didn't fancy the 30mile/49km drive from the hamlet but the hike upwards the 4 Mile rail sounded okay - especially when I read at that spot are some slap-up in addition to unique outlooks along the way.
And having reached Glacier Point, I'd move a mug non going a chip higher to SENTINEL DOME. Accounts state the extra pinnacle gives views fifty-fifty improve than Glacier Point.
But in addition to so I'd receive got to instruct dorsum to the valley. Didn't receive got a partner to drive me downwardly in addition to patently it is existent hard to score a vacant spot on ane of the buses which practise the trip. I didn't desire to backtrack downwardly the 4 Mile. Then I read upwards most the genuinely long Panorama Trail which includes the pop Mist Trail with its views of NEVADA in addition to VERNAL FALLS.
START - white far left FINISH bluish upper middle.
4 Mile Trail inward white, side trail to Sentinel Dome inward yellow, Panorama Trail inward blue.
This is a loong walk at 16.4miles/26.2km. Fair chip of climbing/descending too. The valley flooring at the start is 4000ft/1120m inward a higher house body of body of water level. Highest indicate is at Sentinel Dome - 8127ft/2477m, pregnant lowest to highest is a divergence of 4127ft/1258m.
Getting dorsum from the terminate of the Panorama to my rental at the start of the 4 Mile seemed slow - purpose the complimentary valley shuttle buses which run to a greater extent than or less the valley floor. Didn't quite move out that easy.
I spun in addition to tilted the paradigm to attempt to convey out the verticality involved. Here nosotros are looking from the due north straight south.
COMPARISON WITH MY GRAND CANYON TREK
My Grand Canyon epic less than a calendar week before was non just a stroll inward the park, but the Canyon stroll was genuinely shorter (23km v26), had a lower highest indicate (7200ft v 8127), less verticality (3100ft v 4127) in addition to a shorter duration (9 hours v 10).
You are likely non surprised to know the Big Loop left me feeling considerably to a greater extent than used upwards than after the Grand Canyon thing. But it wasn't the distances or uphill slogs - ane primary ingredient whacked me to a greater extent than or less more; the killer descent on the Mist Trail. More later.
PREPARATION
I'm a seriously one-time dude but really very fit. However I knew the distances, slopes in addition to heights involved both at the Canyon in addition to inward Yosemite required extra preparation. Check the link inward a higher house to regard what I did. It didn't wound that after the Grand Canyon I had done a trek to LONE PINE LAKE, most a quarter of the way upwards the MOUNT WHITNEY TRAIL (and equally far equally you lot are allowed to move without a permit). This was exclusively a picayune over 4 hours render but involved higher altitudes in ane trial to a greater extent than (the lake is at 10500ft after a 8300ft start in addition to is thence proficient for height acclimatization).
Lone Pine Lake with Mt Whitney behind. Picture pretty smokey due to large fires inward the south-east Sierras. Also made Yosemite views less clear the adjacent day. This is a prissy shot to click-expand.
I also had my hiking poles, proficient trekking shoes in addition to socks, trail mix/power bars in addition to electrolyte. I carried less H2O than inward the Canyon. Not exclusively were temps lower but H2O is available at Glacier Point, so I figured 1L was plenty for the 4 Mile Trail (water available at the top) in addition to 2 would instruct me dorsum downwardly the Panorama.
THE 4 MILE TRAIL
4.7miles/7.5km 4000ft/2200m to 7200ft/2200m for a 3200ft/approx1000m climb
This diagram on display inward the YOSEMITE VILLAGE VISITORS' CENTER shows the route of the 4 mile trail starting but out of frame lower right to Clacier Point top left. The highest indicate on the paradigm is Sentinel Dome. Much clearer when click-expanded.
0915 - I was lucky to instruct ane of the in conclusion parking spots inward the roadside surface area opposite the trailhead. This was on a Sat morn inward the August schoolhouse holidays. Note a lot of people were heading off to the right where at that spot are some existent prissy picnic areas in addition to apartment walking trails along the Merced River. If you lot miss out on a common hither the best bet would move to caput on a few km to the ane of the Village's large parking lots in addition to grab the complimentary El Capitan shuttle autobus which drops off here. There is a bigger picnic parking spot off the primary route a brusk distance behind the paradigm but the ane way Southside-Northside Drives hateful a 20+km trip to instruct dorsum there. If you lot are running belatedly perhaps banking concern check it firstly on the way in.
I hitting the trail at 0947 after a faux 0930 start - I left my hiking poles leaning against the front end fender - DUH!
The firstly five minutes of the trail are along the valley flat. When the climb begins the slopes are pretty moderate in addition to seldom instruct steeper the whole way. There is no department I'd even out equally steep although less gibe dudes similar my circumferrentialy-enhanced cyberspace friend Kananga (the exclusively human being [still alive**] who tin lavatory hoover a 12inch/300mm coconut-cream pie inward nether 35 seconds) may disagree.
**might receive got something to practise with his sensational squash - the super sensual Siam Soonay who is the CPR champion of cardinal Kranji - equally I pointed out on the Grand Canyon page, this scintillating sweetheart has given the snog of life almost equally often equally a pash of passion.
The surface of the lower trail in addition to some of the upper-most department is badly broken bitumen - may receive got been sealed to help wheelchairs but fifty-fifty when inward proficient status the slopes would demand an Olympic-class wheelchair athlete or a large super-fit pusher (put that wheelchair away Kananga - Soonay aint a large dude). The broken/discontinuous surface directly makes it impossible for wheelchairs. Skaters should shelve whatever plans of fanging down-hill - banking concern check "discontinous" above. At the same fourth dimension this surface is non a hard ane to walk - ditto unsealed cardinal areas of the rail which are relatively smoothen underfoot. Shaded yesteryear trees in addition to cliffs over 50% of the way. There were few stairs, mainly single. H5N1 moderate publish of trekkers heading up, but non crowded. Few descending - may move to a greater extent than after inward day.
About a mile upwards the rail the wood clears a chip in addition to you lot start to instruct some views of the valley. That trail you lot tin lavatory regard top-center of paradigm is the start of the Upper Yosemite Falls track.
A chip higher gives a opposite tunnel sentiment of the primary valley to the west. The classic U shape of the glacier-cut valley comes out good here. That's the famous El Capitan of climbing fame at right. Smoke from large south-west Sierra wood fires makes paradigm less clear.
Higher nonetheless starts many outlooks of the lower in addition to upper Yosemite Falls (black arrows). There are really few other valley outlooks where you lot tin lavatory regard both falls. Note absolutely no H2O falling (marks are discouloured rock/moss) - these falls are unremarkably dry out yesteryear September but California's prolonged drought saw same before inward August.
I reached GLACIER POINT at 1231. That's 2 3/4 hours for the 4.7mile/7.5km climb - an average of 1.7mph/3.1kph, faster than my roughly equivalent (steepness in addition to length) Bright Angel Trail route out of the Canyon - perhaps on concern human relationship the 4 Mile was at the start of my trek in addition to considerably cooler.
Glacier Point was quite crowded - on concern human relationship of the carpark exclusively 200m away. Check the smoke.
There is a cafeteria in addition to gift store upwards here. WCs of course of study addition a spot to refill H2O bottles - covered yesteryear bees when I called by. Not for long.
One of the 2 viewpoints has a proficient outlook of the valley flooring - that's CURRY VILLAGE of camping/other accommodation fame image-central. YOSEMITE VILLAGE is out of frame higher-left.
I would move finishing my large trek close far right of frame most seven hours later.
The outlook towards the northern human face upwards of the valley was pretty special too. Check HALF DOME, highest indicate at left, in addition to the spectacular TENAYA CANYON glacier-cut hanging valley to its left. The dark arrows indicate to NEVADA FALLS (top) in addition to VERNAL FALLS. I'd move doing the excruciating descent amongst them most half dozen hours later. Click-expand may brand details clearer.
Schematic at the viewpoint labels features.
4 MILE TRAIL SUM UP
I was feeling so proficient at the top of the trail I could receive got gone a posse of pole-dancers without raising my pulse. On reflection, a bunch of hot ones would blip it upwards a trounce or two. Okay, I'll come upwards build clean - the one-time catch would move beating so hard it would blitz the sensors on my Fitbit. Send for Nurse Betty!
I'm thinking Nurse Betty may non move best selection inward the pump calming stakes. Who cares? Send for her anyway!
Um, poor most that - got carried away.
Although it gives me some ideas for my upcoming birthday bash.
POLE DANCER IMAGE REMOVED ON DIRECTION OF GOOGLE - CRIKEY, WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO WHEN READER WOWSERS DICTATE WHAT WE POST AND VIEW?
Whoa!! But hold back a infinitesimal - my 70th was in conclusion week! DARN- MISSED OUT AGAIN!!
image pinterest.com
Although fantasy inward a higher house is perhaps a chip inward front end of reality below....
....I gotta acknowledge my financial situation** way Lu Lu is to a greater extent than the go.
image Baltimore Sun
**maybe it wasn't such a proficient thought to brusk the Euro. But when are people going to wake upwards that the 'Tuero' equally nosotros know it directly volition non be inward the non likewise distant future?
Could a gibe soul practise the 4 Mile without my extra work-outs? Easy.
Could a soul of normal fitness (which these days is pretty unfit) practise it? I think so, but lots of stops would move needed in addition to they mightiness endure adjacent day.
Could a Kananga practise it? No chance. The circumferencially enhanced Kranji Kid has 2 relaxation stops in addition to a defibrillator station on the five steps upwards to his preferred Prue's Parisian Patisserie on the Payoh promenade.
THE REVERSE TRIP - quite a few people ride upwards in addition to walk down. I reckon fifty-fifty unfit people could create out this (maybe non the grossly unfit). It is non so steep in addition to crude oil that it is a knee-wrecker so most people should receive got few problems with this. But cutting those toe nails - fifty-fifty ordinary length toe nails tin lavatory instruct miserably sore banging upwards against the front end of shoes on prolonged downslopes.
SIDE TRAIL TO SENTINEL DOME
This is a relatively brusk ane at abt 1.6miles/2.6km one-way from Glacier Point. Height gained is 927ft/almost 300m.
For automobile carried crazies a shorter path leads inward from a Glacier Point Road automobile common which is a proficient 7miles/12km from the Glacier Point automobile common (and abt 13miles/22km from the start of Glacier Point Rd which inward itself is quite a long way from Yosemite Village). The walk inward is pretty apartment except for the in conclusion haul upwards the side of the dome.
Tilted Google globe paradigm shows path from Glacier Point to Sentinel Dome inward yellow. Glacier Point Road parking surface area is out of frame top left. You are looking slightly due south of due due east here.
I constitute the rail betwixt Glacier Point in addition to Sentinel Dome non likewise crude oil in addition to of similar steepness to the 4 Mile Trail. However the penultimate 400m steepened, moving out of my "moderate" into "fairly steep" category. And....
....the in conclusion 200m upwards the side of the Dome was a pace upwards inward slope again. We are talking properly "steep" here, but no way into "heartbreaker" territory.
Sentinel Dome is ane of the highest points on the valley rim. Notice it is roughly equivalent to the top of Half Dome left of image. Compare this to the shot from Glacier Point upwards page.
Even though I passed no-one on the climb from Glacier Point, at that spot were a fair few people clambering to a greater extent than or less the Dome (although nowhere close equally crowded equally the Point). This is because the Dome is non likewise hard to access from the automobile common on Glacier Point Road.
SIDE TRAIL SUM UP
The brusk distance upwards from Glacier Point volition non problem gibe people. The average soul may move less than gruntled yesteryear the in conclusion 600m. Really unfit people volition non similar it at all. They volition notice the walk inward from Glacier Point Rd automobile common much to a greater extent than to their liking although they nonetheless receive got to haul themselves upwards the side of the Dome.
Me personally?....it may move because I didn't genuinely halt to relaxation at Glacier Point, but when I got to the top of the Dome I was starting to experience a chip used up. I was glad I was equally at the top of my trek in addition to could facial expression frontward to all-downhill from in addition to so on. Hur hur hur - that's what I thought.
THE PANORAMA TRAIL
Distance - 8.5miles/13.5km vertical alter - 3200ft/975m
This is a large ane - the 8.5miles/13.5km is nearly twice the distance of the 4 Mile, but because I was heading to the valley bottom I thought it would move easy. Hur hur hur.
Tilted Google globe paradigm is misleading - the constant downhill from Glacier Point to Illiloette Falls (top left) doesn't facial expression downhill all the way. Similarily, the uphill department to the left of Illiloette Falls doesn't come upwards out really well. I was underwhelmed with this uphill.
In this paradigm you lot are looking but slightly westward of due south.
Maybe this gives a improve thought of slopes involved. Here nosotros are looking almost due north.
I started the descent from Glacier Point at 1316 after taking on some trail mix, unloose energy bars in addition to electrolyte addition adding an extra liter of H2O to my supply.
The approx 1400ft/420m descent to Illiloette Falls is slightly over 2 miles/3.2km in addition to is a doddle - the path slopes reasonably gently in addition to has a proficient surface. The in conclusion few hundred meters steepens but is no problem. There are to a greater extent than or less continuous valley, due south human face upwards in addition to waterfall views along here. There is ane trail branch close the falls but the right route is clearly signposted.
Illilouette Falls - non likewise much H2O hither but must move spectacular inward a non-drought yr in addition to especially inward Spring/early summertime with snowfall melt. This is a branch of the Merced River - the H2O drops 370ft/110m from approx 5800ft/1770m.
Whoa! I wasn't incorrect most peak flow. I pinched this ane from World of Waterfalls.
A brusk distance upstream from the falls, this household unit of measurement was having a ton of fun inward a sort of slide-rock area. National Parks advises against swimming etc inward in a higher house falls areas - people receive got been swept over the drib - but this was no work inward this low-flow period.
NO FUN MUM - heading on from Illiloette Falls the rail does a sneaky trick. It starts to caput uphill! Now I'm no stranger to uphill stetches on a descending track, but usually they are brusk duration. Bu no - initially via a prepare of switchbacks, the climb is almost a mile/kilometer in addition to a half, gaining some 800ft/250m. I was non amused. The slope wasn't a killer at most equal to the 4 Mile Trail but at its start I had been on my feet for half dozen 1/2 hours, much of it uphill in addition to was kickoff to experience a picayune 2nd hand. The climb seemed to move on forever - genuinely most 25 minutes.
One prissy indicate - most one-half a mile on from Illiloette Falls is a short-unsignposted side rail which goes most 100m to PANORAMA POINT. This reportedly has some of the best views of the whole trail - it is unsignposted because a landslide took the viewpoint's security rails in addition to National Parks thinks it may non move such a proficient thought to encourage visitors.
I took a few pix but the smoky weather seemed extra bad hither (maybe it was the angle of the belatedly afternoon sun) making for mediocre results.
Valley from Panorama Point
You are a fair distance to a greater extent than or less the valley top towards the due north hither - so HALF DOME is seen from the back. Because you lot can't regard the glacier-sheared eastern human face upwards it looks to a greater extent than similar a total dome.
At the top of the climb I was dorsum to most 6600ft/2000m. The trail levels out hither for approx a km in addition to and so starts to drib over a similar distance to the top of NEVADA FALLS which is abt 5900ft/1800m inward a higher house body of body of water level.
Before reaching the upper falls surface area is a junction with an of import decision:
Go left onto the JOHN MUIR TRAIL in addition to you lot receive got a longer but patently kinder descent to close a junction with the Mist Trail below Vernal Falls, or fifty-fifty farther to the valley flooring brusk of Happy Isles.
Go straight ahead in addition to you lot accomplish the MIST TRAIL, a considerably shorter but knee/ankle/hip killing, often moisture in addition to much to a greater extent than scenic descent amongst the 2 waterfalls.
Trail choices inward a higher house Nevada Falls. The yellowish trail is the upper Panorama track. The white ane is the John Muir Trail. Blue is the Mist Trail. I came downwardly the yellowish trail in addition to chose to descend into the valley via the bluish Mist Trail.
A lot of people were doing a shorter loop - upwards the John Muir from the valley in addition to dorsum downwardly the Mist Trail. People similar me with bad knees in addition to high fitness should perhaps consider the opposite direction.
Straight delineate distance betwixt lower "to valley" in addition to "to upcountry" house markers is 760m.
This slap-up schematic inward the hamlet Visitors' Center shows the 2 options - the Mist Trail at left in addition to the component of the John Muir Trail at right. Note the descent downwardly the John Muir isn't classed yesteryear reviewers equally easy, but they charge per unit of measurement it considerably less trying than the Mist Trail.
Time - 1735. I chose to move staight ahead towards the Mist Trail on concern human relationship I'm a waterfall fan - fifty-fifty though my trounce upwards knees (too much jogging on hard surfaces dorsum inward the days or poor shoes/no shoes) loathe tough descents
This is the couplet across the Merced River inward a higher house Nevada Falls. I constitute a lot to a greater extent than people on this department of the rail - they had come upwards up the John Muir from the relatively nearby valley in addition to were going dorsum downwardly the Mist. This loop is ane of the most pop walks from Yosemite Valley. Note that the inward a higher house component of the rail is genuinely a continuation of the John Muir equally it heads into the mountains.
This prissy puddle is but upstream from the bridge. I should receive got stopped for a splash of H2O in addition to a relaxation but it was 1750 in addition to I wanted to instruct dorsum to my automobile before dark (fat chance). In high H2O times to a greater extent than than ane poor soul has been swept out of this pool, nether the couplet I'm photographing from and....
....over the falls. It's a 594ft/181m drop.
1800: These people are turning downwardly THE MIST TRAIL to set out the descent amongst Nevada Falls. The John Muir Trail continues to the right - rest on it in addition to you lot volition eventually accomplish Mt Whitney several hundred miles after - Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome in addition to Tenaya Lake are much closer .
The affair most the Mist Trail is it seems to hold going on in addition to on. Lower down, the steps were perhaps non equally tough equally those pictured below, but they nonetheless were extremely taxing on my yesteryear this fourth dimension (abt nine hrs) fairly used upwards torso (hey, at the engagement of this walk I was a calendar week off my 70th birthday - so cutting me some slack.)
EVEN LESS FUN, MUM!
The Mist Trail equally it descends amongst the 2 waterfalls is a killer. Quite a lot is similar to the inward a higher house - extremely steep, crude oil granite steps. Spacing is uneven - often likewise close, ofttimes the step-downs are those large knee/ankle/hip bashing ones; inward dry out weather they were slippery with dust (I saw several people autumn - would receive got myself except for my trusty hiking poles which also likely saved my knees. Note inward high river flow periods this department is often covered with spray from the falls - in addition to is consequently fifty-fifty to a greater extent than slippery). Pay attending to the trail - don't instruct distracted yesteryear views of the cascading H2O to the side: halt for those. There are several places you lot tin lavatory walk off the trail, drinkable inward the scene in addition to instruct some prissy pix, like....
....this spot, part-way downwardly NEVADA FALLS.
I reached the top of VERNAL FALLS (5044ft/538m) at 1853. The opening pic at the top of this page shows the outlook.
There is a fair chip of telephoto inward this shot - it is genuinely 320ft/98m from photographic tv set camera to pool. Dudes amongst puddle had rock-hopped a hundred meters to instruct at that spot - I was at the base of operations of the falls 20 minutes after - didn't bother abt whatever stone hopping.
The steep descent continued amongst Vernal Falls in addition to and so a chip farther downwardly valley, although perhaps non quite equally bad equally the path pictured up-page. In all, the killer trail yesteryear the 2 waterfalls in addition to farther is good over a mile in addition to I seemed to move on it for at to the lowest degree an hour. I read somewhere at that spot are over 600 stairs along here. 600 aint the large bargain - to a greater extent than important: good over one-half are rough, high in addition to treacherous.
Shot from the bottom of Vernal Falls - fourth dimension 1908. Looks ok at this fourth dimension of low-flow - would move awesome inward spring/early summer.
A picayune over a mile below the bottom of Vernal Falls I reached the valley flooring . The in conclusion one-half had pretty gentle gradients. The lower junction of the John Muir trail is along here. Much of the route below Vernal Falls is good sealed in addition to would move wheelchair suitable. I passed HAPPY ISLES in addition to finally emerged on the CURRY VILLAGE route loop at 1947. I had been going over 10 hours. Shuttle autobus halt #16 was a mere 150m to the left in addition to I exclusively had to hold back a few minutes for ane of the village-route shuttles to appear.
WHICH WAY ON THE WATERFALL LOOP?
90% of people I encountered seemed to come upwards up the John Muir in addition to move downwardly the Mist Trail. I think this is the move for people who are non really very gibe in addition to receive got no knee/hip problems. But delight move careful on those slippery treacherous step-downs.
I personally would practise it the other way - I reckon the killer climb UP the Mist Trail would gibe into my "VERY STEEP" rating (which is below "HEART BREAKER" in addition to "DON'T SEND FLOWERS" categories). If I was fresh I would facial expression at it equally a challenge. And my knees would yesteryear all accounts notice the descent downwardly the John Muir much to a greater extent than friendly.
MY BIG LOOP REVERSED?
Would a opposite of my total walk, starting at the Curry Village terminate in addition to descending the 4 mile trail, move a improve bet?
I'm non sure. I'm thinking for me personally it would move much the same. Certainly the firstly hr or so would move a chip harder balanced yesteryear the in conclusion few km non bashing me most equally much.
THE BIG LOOP SUMMED UP.
I did my extra preparation for the large Grand Canyon trek, but if that was a 10 effort-wise, the Yosemite Big Loop was a 12. I finished the Grand Canyon feeling pretty proficient - the Big Loop a chip 2nd hand.
But the value of extra preparation is how you lot bounce dorsum - adjacent twenty-four hours I had no aches in addition to pains in addition to felt pretty fresh. Just equally good - on my trip the low-cal fantastic carte du jour I had penciled inward some Yosemite Falls treks addition getting to my San Francisco digs before dark.
Well I almost did it.
BACK TO THE RENTAL
This didn't move out equally planned. I arrived at the valley bottom likewise belatedly to instruct the El Capitan shuttle autobus which stops running at 1800 (memo to self - read the fine print). The hamlet shuttle dropped me equally unopen equally possible to the 4 Mile trailhead automobile common - at halt #7. Following was most a km hike across valley to Southside Drive in addition to a brusk walk downwardly the road.
It was pretty dark this moonless nighttime heading across the valley trail - I began thinking most Black Bears. But at that spot were a few people out riding bicycles in addition to walking with torches. Besides which, why would a veteran from the ground of the world's most poisonous snakes in addition to spiders, ferocious car-sized wild pigs, man-eating crocs, baby-stealing wild dogs in addition to sex-crazed Drop Bears** worry most Black Bears? They aint just Grizzlies.
By the fourth dimension I got dorsum to my car, drove the hour+ to Yosemite Bug resort, showered in addition to cooked/downed some tucker it was yesteryear 2300. Once in ane trial to a greater extent than I had the delightful experience of hauling myself into my dorm top bunk inward the dark. At to the lowest degree I didn't receive got to brand it upwards from scratch similar the nighttime before.
**Drop Bears are a branch of the Koala family. They think it's top sport to drib from their favourite eucalyptus trees onto the heads of unsuspecting passers-by. Which they en-wrap inward a sort of ..um..bear hug. They are randy picayune buggers in addition to similar to dry out hump whatever vacant ear holes.
Bloke at left is C Dundee's mate Strop. Strop's slightly shell-shocked appearance is downwardly to his due north coast NSW hobby farm existence over-run with Drop Bears - poor dude is suffering severe encephalon bonk.
Actually ol' Strop is a chip of a worry - all that melon-trauma has seriously impacted his equilibrium - the farm runs sheep in addition to Stop is ever talking most his girl Baa Baa Raa.
And you lot thought New Zillund** has a monopoly on sheep-shaggers. Our fush in addition to chups eating cousins from THE LAND OF THE MURDERED VOWEL can't fifty-fifty corner the marketplace spot inward proficient rugby teams these days.
(image Adelaide Advertiser)
**Ah beyoodiful New Zillund.
Where men are men. And the sheep run scared.
WORD EATING DEPARTMENT 31 Oct 2015 - I wrote the inward a higher house most three weeks ago. But New Zillund has but won the RUGBY WORLD CUP which of course of study makes them best inward the world.
Can't instruct whatever improve than that.
That foreign dissonance you lot latterly heard was 43 meg Kiwi sheep breathing a collective sigh of relief (New Zillunders aren't proficient losers).
DAY 2
Any trekking twenty-four hours 2 had to move a lot shorter than THE BIG LOOP on concern human relationship I wanted to banking concern check the VISITORS CENTER inward Yosemite Village in addition to hoped to brand my accommodation inward San Francisco before dark.
The total UPPER FALLS TRAIL would move likewise fourth dimension consuming but going one-half way to the firstly sentiment of the upper falls sounded appealing - reports said at that spot was a fair chip of uphill materials which would give me a proficient workout, but the firstly viewpoint was brusk of the killer steps on the upper component of the upper falls trail which I needed to avoid considering the previous day's bashing on the MIST TRAIL descent.
And I figured I had fourth dimension to practise the nearby brusk circuit to the lower falls.
Modified Google globe paradigm shows both 2nd twenty-four hours treks. Lower right nosotros receive got the slow Lower Falls loop. To the left is the component of the Upper Falls rail I did to the firstly sentiment of the upper falls. Straight delineate distance from the automobile common house grade to the upper falls house grade is 1.65km - but over a mile. But if you lot desire to walk upwards to the viewpoint but inward a higher house and to the right of the falls you lot are looking at 6km/3.8miles. The vertical divergence is 780m/2560ft.
Nice schematic from Visitors' Center gives a different perspective of both trails. Upper Falls rail begins bottom far left - ends top right for people with fourth dimension in addition to powerfulness to instruct there.
I parked inward the large hamlet parking surface area - lotsa traffic coming inward early on this Sun inward August, but the lot was less than 20% total at to a greater extent than or less 0930. The lot is exclusively 600m from the visitors' middle but at that spot was a waiting complimentary shuttle so I jumped aboard - fourth dimension was at a sort of premium.
I'm non a large fan of visitors' centers/location museums etc - but I enjoyed my wander to a greater extent than or less Yosemite Valley Visitors' Center. There was lots of materials on how the valley was shaped yesteryear the one-time fourth dimension glaciers, several terrific schematics (as featured on this page) showing the primary hiking trails and.....
....no shortage of materials on the master copy inhabitants of the valley.
Note that inward this full general surface area at that spot is a pretty proficient full general store - deli-coffee shop, a NP data booth, the United States post service office, museum in addition to fine art gallery. H5N1 chip farther gets you lot to an ATM, a bigger full general store in addition to an accommodation booking place.
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS
This is ane of the shortest, easiest in addition to most pop treks inward the valley. It is unopen to Yosemite Village in addition to on the way to the nearby Upper Falls trailhead.
Section of fantabulous schematic inward the Visitors' Center shows the layout of the loop track. It is fairly flat, sealed/wheelchair accessible (National Parks says right (western) one-half exclusively but they are likely taking into concern human relationship people with upper torso problems - the due east rail slopes seemed pretty benign) in addition to brusk at 0.5 miles/0.8km.
There is no automobile common but it's less than a mile (1.6km) from the village. Once in ane trial to a greater extent than I constitute ane of the complimentary shuttles waiting in addition to saved myself a chip of time.
Check the Valley Loop Trail left of paradigm - 0.6mi/1km of pleasant wood walk got me across to the Upper Falls trailhead.
Another perspective of the Lower Falls loop trail - this ane from a display board at the trail head.
OOPS. NO WATER
Most years regard no or picayune H2O inward September/October but California's drought meant the falls were dry out inward mid August.
This ane from the National Park's hiking website shows a improve flow.
I got the impression that a lot of this area betwixt the 2 sides of the loop trail would receive got flowing rivulets of H2O in addition to some standing ponds most times of the year.
LOWER FALLS LOOP SUM UP
If my large Grand Canyon trek the calendar week before was a 10, my previous day's Yosemite Big Loop a 12, I'm calling the Lower Falls Loop a 1. No problems for anyone. Wheelchair people in addition to Big Bob from Biloxi mightiness notice going anticlockwise on the loop best to hitting the steepest component downhill (um ---fer those tragics tin lavatory exclusively tell the fourth dimension on a digital sentry or 'phone nosotros are talking right mitt (eastern) side of the loop first).
UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL
On this 2nd twenty-four hours I wanted something to give me a proficient workout - but perhaps for exclusively 4 or five hours return. My enquiry told me that going one-half way along the Upper Falls Trail would practise the job. I wasn't likewise upset most non going the total distance. The falls were dry, the smokey weather would receive got diminished the views from the top which patently are almost equally proficient equally from Glacier Point but from the opposite side of the valley, in addition to my reading of the steep switchbacks on the higher component of the trail suggested they were inward the same category equally the Mist Trail: I reckon my knees may non receive got been able to grip some other work-out on the descent.
My walk is outlined inward yellowish on the upper paradigm but is best followed if you lot click-expand the lower cropped schematic featured inward the Yosemite Visitors Center.
The total trail upwards to the falls overlook is a 7.6miles/12km circular trip gaining some 2559ft/780m - my truncated walk was three miles/4.8km render gaining but over 1000ft/300m
The trail begins at the automobile common for military camp #4 amongst the primary Northside Drive. At busy times it may move improve to common inward ane of the large Yosemite Village lots in addition to grab a frequent complimentary shuttle the brusk distance to halt #7. I walked the apartment pleasant 600m path thru the wood from the Lower Falls loop.
Soon after leaving the automobile park, the Upper Falls trail begins to climb. Gradients are moderately steep, a chip to a greater extent than so than state the 4 Mile Trail, in addition to at that spot is a serial of switchbacks which seem to move on for ever. My mate Kananga would move underwhelmed. The status of the trail was a chip crude oil without becoming unpleasant - plenty of step-ups (dreaded pace downs inward the opposite management of course), some with quite large vertical differences (these are the knee articulation killers on descents) but fortunately at that spot were few cases where the pace up/downs were extremely unopen together dissimilar the Mist Trail. Even better, I can't holler back whatever staircases. However at that spot were some tree roots inward places in addition to quite a few of the stairs were slippery with dust - I'm glad I had my trekking poles although I didn't regard anyone fall. At to the lowest degree 50% of the distance was tree-shaded. This trail seemed pop - to a greater extent than so than the previous day's 4 Mile (but that was somewhat before inward the day).
You don't receive got to caput likewise far upwards the trail before the proficient views move apparent. I reckon I'm abt 500ft/160m inward a higher house the valley flooring here. Sorry abt the fume - I've mentioned before the touching on of the large wood fires inward the due south westward Sierras.
I'm thinking that's SENTINEL ROCK highest mid image, SENTINEL DOME is the higher indicate (although it looks abt equal from this aspect on concern human relationship it is farther from the camera) but to its left, in addition to the famous GLACIER POINT is the surface area slightly lower far left. If you lot disagree, delight post service inward below.
There are prissy valley flooring sentiment along here. I think that is YOSEMITE LODGE - delight post service inward if I'm wrong.
Higher again. Columbia Rock - distance from trailhead 1.0 miles/1.6km, At 5036ft/1535m it's but over 1000ft/300m inward a higher house the valley flooring . As such the views are to a greater extent than expansive again. Here nosotros are looking almost due due east - that's HALF DOME upper middle image. GLACIER POINT is at right. YOSEMITE VILLAGE is mid left of shot. I reached this indicate at 1319 - abt an hr 20 after leaving the valley floor. That's non fifty-fifty 1mph/1.6kph - proficient grief, I mentioned before I'm no Speedy Gonzales, but perhaps the previous day's BIG LOOP impacted me to a greater extent than than I thought.
But who cares? I was feeling proficient in addition to powered on to FIRST VIEW.
Soon after leaving Columbia Rock the trail gets to a greater extent than hard - but thankfully exclusively for a brusk distance. It both steepens into what I would sort equally QUITE STEEP (but considerably below my "HEARTBREAKER" category) in addition to gets to a greater extent than sandy underfoot. I read somewhere that this is a land-slip area. Fortunately the genuinely steep department is picayune over 400m inward length. Shortly after the trail flattens, turns a corner to caput straight due north in addition to starts dropping - perhaps 200ft/65m inward five minutes. When it flattens out you lot should start looking across the narrow side-canyon for the Upper Fall - I missed it completely on concern human relationship of no water/no dissonance in addition to the fact that it drops midway along the canyon wall rather than farther due north at the gulley-head where you lot would await a waterfall to be. So I had to backtrack several hundred meters to the indicate of firstly view. I believe this full general surface area is known equally FIRST GATE. It took me most fifteen minutes to instruct from Columbia Rock to firstly view.
First sentiment inward mid August 2015 was non all that impressive - absolutely no H2O coming over the falls. So I went online looking for something to a greater extent than normal.......
.....and constitute this prissy ane on the National Park website, shot to a greater extent than or less from the same position. Note National Park informs that you lot may encounter weather similar to mine often inward the area's driest menstruum - September in addition to October.
Going dorsum downwardly was non likewise bad at all despite the relatively steep, sometimes slippery in addition to multi-stepped conditions. I think I mightiness receive got been subconsciously thinking of the desire to move inward 'Frisco before dark because it took exclusively an hour. Still that's exclusively abt 1.7mph/2.8kmh. I arrived dorsum at the trailhead at 1450.
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED - ONWARD TO THE UPPER FALLS
It's some other 2.8 miles/4.4km with a vertical ascent of 1600ft/490m to the Yosemite Falls overlook.
From what I receive got read, much of it is really steep with multi-switchbacks in addition to often slippery conditions. Shade is lacking for much of the way.
The outlook over the valley is patently a chip restricted at the falls overlook - no worries, it's exclusively some other 0.75 miles/1.2km to the fifty-fifty higher YOSEMITE POINT (6936ft/2114m v 6526/1989) - out of sentiment to the right of the inward a higher house paradigm - where....
.....the oulook is patently outstanding inward proficient weather (this is some other paradigm taken from the National Park's hiking website)
UPPER FALLS TO FIRST VIEWPOINT SUM UP
I notice that I went a fair chip brusk of half-way. Nevertheless I thought it was a pretty proficient move out although less than three hours render is chicken-manure compared to my 10 hr Big Loop on the previous day.
Compared to the Big Loop's 12, I'm giving this ane a 6.
How would I receive got gone without the extra preparation I did? I reckon this trek was no harder than many I receive got done inward the Thai Islands. Certainly the latter receive got way steeper, rougher, to a greater extent than treacherous trails. I've never had problems on whatever of them inward my pre training for the Grand Canyon days.
That answers the query most how a fairly gibe soul would go.
How would a normal soul (fairly unfit) go? I reckon they would move able to practise this walk, but would postulate to receive got a fair few stops.
How would an definitely unfit soul go? Fergeddaboudit. If my svelte-challenged mate Kananga took off on this ane he would move hoping his babe, the sensationally scintillating Siam Soonay** remembered to throw the PORTAZAPPA (Mk11) into her backpack.
I'm thinking if I had to follow Soonay upwards the Yosemite Falls Track I'd move before long needing the PORTAZAPPA (Mk11) too.
**Soonay is a dancer/sharp-shooter at Bangkok's Ballistic Banana Club. She is so toned she has muscles on her ---- -----. No problems for Soonay galloping upwards the Upper Falls Trail.
IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE ADDITIONAL INFO PLEASE MENTION THEM BELOW - BUT PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO THE FORUM SECTION - I DON'T LOOK AT THESE INDIVIDUAL PAGES VERY OFTEN BUT I CHECK THE FORUM MOST DAYS.
Sumber http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
(image Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
THE BIG LOOP - 4 MILE TRAIL/SENTINEL DOME SIDE TRACK/PANORAMA TRAIL
Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail department of the Panorama Trail
My BIG LOOP involves the following: 4 Mile Trail from valley floor to Glacier Point - side trail to Sentintel Dome - Panorama Trail back to valley floor.
GLACIER POINT is ane of the most visited viewpoints inward Yosemite. I didn't fancy the 30mile/49km drive from the hamlet but the hike upwards the 4 Mile rail sounded okay - especially when I read at that spot are some slap-up in addition to unique outlooks along the way.
And having reached Glacier Point, I'd move a mug non going a chip higher to SENTINEL DOME. Accounts state the extra pinnacle gives views fifty-fifty improve than Glacier Point.
But in addition to so I'd receive got to instruct dorsum to the valley. Didn't receive got a partner to drive me downwardly in addition to patently it is existent hard to score a vacant spot on ane of the buses which practise the trip. I didn't desire to backtrack downwardly the 4 Mile. Then I read upwards most the genuinely long Panorama Trail which includes the pop Mist Trail with its views of NEVADA in addition to VERNAL FALLS.
4 Mile Trail inward white, side trail to Sentinel Dome inward yellow, Panorama Trail inward blue.
This is a loong walk at 16.4miles/26.2km. Fair chip of climbing/descending too. The valley flooring at the start is 4000ft/1120m inward a higher house body of body of water level. Highest indicate is at Sentinel Dome - 8127ft/2477m, pregnant lowest to highest is a divergence of 4127ft/1258m.
Getting dorsum from the terminate of the Panorama to my rental at the start of the 4 Mile seemed slow - purpose the complimentary valley shuttle buses which run to a greater extent than or less the valley floor. Didn't quite move out that easy.
COMPARISON WITH MY GRAND CANYON TREK
My Grand Canyon epic less than a calendar week before was non just a stroll inward the park, but the Canyon stroll was genuinely shorter (23km v26), had a lower highest indicate (7200ft v 8127), less verticality (3100ft v 4127) in addition to a shorter duration (9 hours v 10).
You are likely non surprised to know the Big Loop left me feeling considerably to a greater extent than used upwards than after the Grand Canyon thing. But it wasn't the distances or uphill slogs - ane primary ingredient whacked me to a greater extent than or less more; the killer descent on the Mist Trail. More later.
PREPARATION
I'm a seriously one-time dude but really very fit. However I knew the distances, slopes in addition to heights involved both at the Canyon in addition to inward Yosemite required extra preparation. Check the link inward a higher house to regard what I did. It didn't wound that after the Grand Canyon I had done a trek to LONE PINE LAKE, most a quarter of the way upwards the MOUNT WHITNEY TRAIL (and equally far equally you lot are allowed to move without a permit). This was exclusively a picayune over 4 hours render but involved higher altitudes in ane trial to a greater extent than (the lake is at 10500ft after a 8300ft start in addition to is thence proficient for height acclimatization).
Lone Pine Lake with Mt Whitney behind. Picture pretty smokey due to large fires inward the south-east Sierras. Also made Yosemite views less clear the adjacent day. This is a prissy shot to click-expand.
I also had my hiking poles, proficient trekking shoes in addition to socks, trail mix/power bars in addition to electrolyte. I carried less H2O than inward the Canyon. Not exclusively were temps lower but H2O is available at Glacier Point, so I figured 1L was plenty for the 4 Mile Trail (water available at the top) in addition to 2 would instruct me dorsum downwardly the Panorama.
THE 4 MILE TRAIL
4.7miles/7.5km 4000ft/2200m to 7200ft/2200m for a 3200ft/approx1000m climb
I hitting the trail at 0947 after a faux 0930 start - I left my hiking poles leaning against the front end fender - DUH!
The firstly five minutes of the trail are along the valley flat. When the climb begins the slopes are pretty moderate in addition to seldom instruct steeper the whole way. There is no department I'd even out equally steep although less gibe dudes similar my circumferrentialy-enhanced cyberspace friend Kananga (the exclusively human being [still alive**] who tin lavatory hoover a 12inch/300mm coconut-cream pie inward nether 35 seconds) may disagree.
**might receive got something to practise with his sensational squash - the super sensual Siam Soonay who is the CPR champion of cardinal Kranji - equally I pointed out on the Grand Canyon page, this scintillating sweetheart has given the snog of life almost equally often equally a pash of passion.
The surface of the lower trail in addition to some of the upper-most department is badly broken bitumen - may receive got been sealed to help wheelchairs but fifty-fifty when inward proficient status the slopes would demand an Olympic-class wheelchair athlete or a large super-fit pusher (put that wheelchair away Kananga - Soonay aint a large dude). The broken/discontinuous surface directly makes it impossible for wheelchairs. Skaters should shelve whatever plans of fanging down-hill - banking concern check "discontinous" above. At the same fourth dimension this surface is non a hard ane to walk - ditto unsealed cardinal areas of the rail which are relatively smoothen underfoot. Shaded yesteryear trees in addition to cliffs over 50% of the way. There were few stairs, mainly single. H5N1 moderate publish of trekkers heading up, but non crowded. Few descending - may move to a greater extent than after inward day.
I pinched this off the National Park treks site linked upwards page - shows what it tin lavatory move like.
Glacier Point was quite crowded - on concern human relationship of the carpark exclusively 200m away. Check the smoke.
There is a cafeteria in addition to gift store upwards here. WCs of course of study addition a spot to refill H2O bottles - covered yesteryear bees when I called by. Not for long.
I would move finishing my large trek close far right of frame most seven hours later.
4 MILE TRAIL SUM UP
I was feeling so proficient at the top of the trail I could receive got gone a posse of pole-dancers without raising my pulse. On reflection, a bunch of hot ones would blip it upwards a trounce or two. Okay, I'll come upwards build clean - the one-time catch would move beating so hard it would blitz the sensors on my Fitbit. Send for Nurse Betty!
Um, poor most that - got carried away.
Although it gives me some ideas for my upcoming birthday bash.
POLE DANCER IMAGE REMOVED ON DIRECTION OF GOOGLE - CRIKEY, WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO WHEN READER WOWSERS DICTATE WHAT WE POST AND VIEW?
image pinterest.com
Although fantasy inward a higher house is perhaps a chip inward front end of reality below....
image Baltimore Sun
**maybe it wasn't such a proficient thought to brusk the Euro. But when are people going to wake upwards that the 'Tuero' equally nosotros know it directly volition non be inward the non likewise distant future?
Could a gibe soul practise the 4 Mile without my extra work-outs? Easy.
Could a soul of normal fitness (which these days is pretty unfit) practise it? I think so, but lots of stops would move needed in addition to they mightiness endure adjacent day.
Could a Kananga practise it? No chance. The circumferencially enhanced Kranji Kid has 2 relaxation stops in addition to a defibrillator station on the five steps upwards to his preferred Prue's Parisian Patisserie on the Payoh promenade.
THE REVERSE TRIP - quite a few people ride upwards in addition to walk down. I reckon fifty-fifty unfit people could create out this (maybe non the grossly unfit). It is non so steep in addition to crude oil that it is a knee-wrecker so most people should receive got few problems with this. But cutting those toe nails - fifty-fifty ordinary length toe nails tin lavatory instruct miserably sore banging upwards against the front end of shoes on prolonged downslopes.
SIDE TRAIL TO SENTINEL DOME
This is a relatively brusk ane at abt 1.6miles/2.6km one-way from Glacier Point. Height gained is 927ft/almost 300m.
For automobile carried crazies a shorter path leads inward from a Glacier Point Road automobile common which is a proficient 7miles/12km from the Glacier Point automobile common (and abt 13miles/22km from the start of Glacier Point Rd which inward itself is quite a long way from Yosemite Village). The walk inward is pretty apartment except for the in conclusion haul upwards the side of the dome.
I constitute the rail betwixt Glacier Point in addition to Sentinel Dome non likewise crude oil in addition to of similar steepness to the 4 Mile Trail. However the penultimate 400m steepened, moving out of my "moderate" into "fairly steep" category. And....
SIDE TRAIL SUM UP
The brusk distance upwards from Glacier Point volition non problem gibe people. The average soul may move less than gruntled yesteryear the in conclusion 600m. Really unfit people volition non similar it at all. They volition notice the walk inward from Glacier Point Rd automobile common much to a greater extent than to their liking although they nonetheless receive got to haul themselves upwards the side of the Dome.
Me personally?....it may move because I didn't genuinely halt to relaxation at Glacier Point, but when I got to the top of the Dome I was starting to experience a chip used up. I was glad I was equally at the top of my trek in addition to could facial expression frontward to all-downhill from in addition to so on. Hur hur hur - that's what I thought.
THE PANORAMA TRAIL
Distance - 8.5miles/13.5km vertical alter - 3200ft/975m
Tilted Google globe paradigm is misleading - the constant downhill from Glacier Point to Illiloette Falls (top left) doesn't facial expression downhill all the way. Similarily, the uphill department to the left of Illiloette Falls doesn't come upwards out really well. I was underwhelmed with this uphill.
In this paradigm you lot are looking but slightly westward of due south.
I started the descent from Glacier Point at 1316 after taking on some trail mix, unloose energy bars in addition to electrolyte addition adding an extra liter of H2O to my supply.
The approx 1400ft/420m descent to Illiloette Falls is slightly over 2 miles/3.2km in addition to is a doddle - the path slopes reasonably gently in addition to has a proficient surface. The in conclusion few hundred meters steepens but is no problem. There are to a greater extent than or less continuous valley, due south human face upwards in addition to waterfall views along here. There is ane trail branch close the falls but the right route is clearly signposted.
NO FUN MUM - heading on from Illiloette Falls the rail does a sneaky trick. It starts to caput uphill! Now I'm no stranger to uphill stetches on a descending track, but usually they are brusk duration. Bu no - initially via a prepare of switchbacks, the climb is almost a mile/kilometer in addition to a half, gaining some 800ft/250m. I was non amused. The slope wasn't a killer at most equal to the 4 Mile Trail but at its start I had been on my feet for half dozen 1/2 hours, much of it uphill in addition to was kickoff to experience a picayune 2nd hand. The climb seemed to move on forever - genuinely most 25 minutes.
One prissy indicate - most one-half a mile on from Illiloette Falls is a short-unsignposted side rail which goes most 100m to PANORAMA POINT. This reportedly has some of the best views of the whole trail - it is unsignposted because a landslide took the viewpoint's security rails in addition to National Parks thinks it may non move such a proficient thought to encourage visitors.
I took a few pix but the smoky weather seemed extra bad hither (maybe it was the angle of the belatedly afternoon sun) making for mediocre results.
At the top of the climb I was dorsum to most 6600ft/2000m. The trail levels out hither for approx a km in addition to and so starts to drib over a similar distance to the top of NEVADA FALLS which is abt 5900ft/1800m inward a higher house body of body of water level.
Before reaching the upper falls surface area is a junction with an of import decision:
Go left onto the JOHN MUIR TRAIL in addition to you lot receive got a longer but patently kinder descent to close a junction with the Mist Trail below Vernal Falls, or fifty-fifty farther to the valley flooring brusk of Happy Isles.
Go straight ahead in addition to you lot accomplish the MIST TRAIL, a considerably shorter but knee/ankle/hip killing, often moisture in addition to much to a greater extent than scenic descent amongst the 2 waterfalls.
A lot of people were doing a shorter loop - upwards the John Muir from the valley in addition to dorsum downwardly the Mist Trail. People similar me with bad knees in addition to high fitness should perhaps consider the opposite direction.
Straight delineate distance betwixt lower "to valley" in addition to "to upcountry" house markers is 760m.
Time - 1735. I chose to move staight ahead towards the Mist Trail on concern human relationship I'm a waterfall fan - fifty-fifty though my trounce upwards knees (too much jogging on hard surfaces dorsum inward the days or poor shoes/no shoes) loathe tough descents
The affair most the Mist Trail is it seems to hold going on in addition to on. Lower down, the steps were perhaps non equally tough equally those pictured below, but they nonetheless were extremely taxing on my yesteryear this fourth dimension (abt nine hrs) fairly used upwards torso (hey, at the engagement of this walk I was a calendar week off my 70th birthday - so cutting me some slack.)
EVEN LESS FUN, MUM!
I reached the top of VERNAL FALLS (5044ft/538m) at 1853. The opening pic at the top of this page shows the outlook.
The steep descent continued amongst Vernal Falls in addition to and so a chip farther downwardly valley, although perhaps non quite equally bad equally the path pictured up-page. In all, the killer trail yesteryear the 2 waterfalls in addition to farther is good over a mile in addition to I seemed to move on it for at to the lowest degree an hour. I read somewhere at that spot are over 600 stairs along here. 600 aint the large bargain - to a greater extent than important: good over one-half are rough, high in addition to treacherous.
A picayune over a mile below the bottom of Vernal Falls I reached the valley flooring . The in conclusion one-half had pretty gentle gradients. The lower junction of the John Muir trail is along here. Much of the route below Vernal Falls is good sealed in addition to would move wheelchair suitable. I passed HAPPY ISLES in addition to finally emerged on the CURRY VILLAGE route loop at 1947. I had been going over 10 hours. Shuttle autobus halt #16 was a mere 150m to the left in addition to I exclusively had to hold back a few minutes for ane of the village-route shuttles to appear.
WHICH WAY ON THE WATERFALL LOOP?
90% of people I encountered seemed to come upwards up the John Muir in addition to move downwardly the Mist Trail. I think this is the move for people who are non really very gibe in addition to receive got no knee/hip problems. But delight move careful on those slippery treacherous step-downs.
I personally would practise it the other way - I reckon the killer climb UP the Mist Trail would gibe into my "VERY STEEP" rating (which is below "HEART BREAKER" in addition to "DON'T SEND FLOWERS" categories). If I was fresh I would facial expression at it equally a challenge. And my knees would yesteryear all accounts notice the descent downwardly the John Muir much to a greater extent than friendly.
MY BIG LOOP REVERSED?
Would a opposite of my total walk, starting at the Curry Village terminate in addition to descending the 4 mile trail, move a improve bet?
I'm non sure. I'm thinking for me personally it would move much the same. Certainly the firstly hr or so would move a chip harder balanced yesteryear the in conclusion few km non bashing me most equally much.
THE BIG LOOP SUMMED UP.
I did my extra preparation for the large Grand Canyon trek, but if that was a 10 effort-wise, the Yosemite Big Loop was a 12. I finished the Grand Canyon feeling pretty proficient - the Big Loop a chip 2nd hand.
But the value of extra preparation is how you lot bounce dorsum - adjacent twenty-four hours I had no aches in addition to pains in addition to felt pretty fresh. Just equally good - on my trip the low-cal fantastic carte du jour I had penciled inward some Yosemite Falls treks addition getting to my San Francisco digs before dark.
Well I almost did it.
BACK TO THE RENTAL
This didn't move out equally planned. I arrived at the valley bottom likewise belatedly to instruct the El Capitan shuttle autobus which stops running at 1800 (memo to self - read the fine print). The hamlet shuttle dropped me equally unopen equally possible to the 4 Mile trailhead automobile common - at halt #7. Following was most a km hike across valley to Southside Drive in addition to a brusk walk downwardly the road.
It was pretty dark this moonless nighttime heading across the valley trail - I began thinking most Black Bears. But at that spot were a few people out riding bicycles in addition to walking with torches. Besides which, why would a veteran from the ground of the world's most poisonous snakes in addition to spiders, ferocious car-sized wild pigs, man-eating crocs, baby-stealing wild dogs in addition to sex-crazed Drop Bears** worry most Black Bears? They aint just Grizzlies.
By the fourth dimension I got dorsum to my car, drove the hour+ to Yosemite Bug resort, showered in addition to cooked/downed some tucker it was yesteryear 2300. Once in ane trial to a greater extent than I had the delightful experience of hauling myself into my dorm top bunk inward the dark. At to the lowest degree I didn't receive got to brand it upwards from scratch similar the nighttime before.
**Drop Bears are a branch of the Koala family. They think it's top sport to drib from their favourite eucalyptus trees onto the heads of unsuspecting passers-by. Which they en-wrap inward a sort of ..um..bear hug. They are randy picayune buggers in addition to similar to dry out hump whatever vacant ear holes.
Actually ol' Strop is a chip of a worry - all that melon-trauma has seriously impacted his equilibrium - the farm runs sheep in addition to Stop is ever talking most his girl Baa Baa Raa.
And you lot thought New Zillund** has a monopoly on sheep-shaggers. Our fush in addition to chups eating cousins from THE LAND OF THE MURDERED VOWEL can't fifty-fifty corner the marketplace spot inward proficient rugby teams these days.
(image Adelaide Advertiser)
**Ah beyoodiful New Zillund.
Where men are men. And the sheep run scared.
WORD EATING DEPARTMENT 31 Oct 2015 - I wrote the inward a higher house most three weeks ago. But New Zillund has but won the RUGBY WORLD CUP which of course of study makes them best inward the world.
Can't instruct whatever improve than that.
That foreign dissonance you lot latterly heard was 43 meg Kiwi sheep breathing a collective sigh of relief (New Zillunders aren't proficient losers).
DAY 2
Any trekking twenty-four hours 2 had to move a lot shorter than THE BIG LOOP on concern human relationship I wanted to banking concern check the VISITORS CENTER inward Yosemite Village in addition to hoped to brand my accommodation inward San Francisco before dark.
The total UPPER FALLS TRAIL would move likewise fourth dimension consuming but going one-half way to the firstly sentiment of the upper falls sounded appealing - reports said at that spot was a fair chip of uphill materials which would give me a proficient workout, but the firstly viewpoint was brusk of the killer steps on the upper component of the upper falls trail which I needed to avoid considering the previous day's bashing on the MIST TRAIL descent.
And I figured I had fourth dimension to practise the nearby brusk circuit to the lower falls.
I parked inward the large hamlet parking surface area - lotsa traffic coming inward early on this Sun inward August, but the lot was less than 20% total at to a greater extent than or less 0930. The lot is exclusively 600m from the visitors' middle but at that spot was a waiting complimentary shuttle so I jumped aboard - fourth dimension was at a sort of premium.
Note that inward this full general surface area at that spot is a pretty proficient full general store - deli-coffee shop, a NP data booth, the United States post service office, museum in addition to fine art gallery. H5N1 chip farther gets you lot to an ATM, a bigger full general store in addition to an accommodation booking place.
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS
This is ane of the shortest, easiest in addition to most pop treks inward the valley. It is unopen to Yosemite Village in addition to on the way to the nearby Upper Falls trailhead.
There is no automobile common but it's less than a mile (1.6km) from the village. Once in ane trial to a greater extent than I constitute ane of the complimentary shuttles waiting in addition to saved myself a chip of time.
Check the Valley Loop Trail left of paradigm - 0.6mi/1km of pleasant wood walk got me across to the Upper Falls trailhead.
OOPS. NO WATER
LOWER FALLS LOOP SUM UP
If my large Grand Canyon trek the calendar week before was a 10, my previous day's Yosemite Big Loop a 12, I'm calling the Lower Falls Loop a 1. No problems for anyone. Wheelchair people in addition to Big Bob from Biloxi mightiness notice going anticlockwise on the loop best to hitting the steepest component downhill (um ---fer those tragics tin lavatory exclusively tell the fourth dimension on a digital sentry or 'phone nosotros are talking right mitt (eastern) side of the loop first).
UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL
On this 2nd twenty-four hours I wanted something to give me a proficient workout - but perhaps for exclusively 4 or five hours return. My enquiry told me that going one-half way along the Upper Falls Trail would practise the job. I wasn't likewise upset most non going the total distance. The falls were dry, the smokey weather would receive got diminished the views from the top which patently are almost equally proficient equally from Glacier Point but from the opposite side of the valley, in addition to my reading of the steep switchbacks on the higher component of the trail suggested they were inward the same category equally the Mist Trail: I reckon my knees may non receive got been able to grip some other work-out on the descent.
The total trail upwards to the falls overlook is a 7.6miles/12km circular trip gaining some 2559ft/780m - my truncated walk was three miles/4.8km render gaining but over 1000ft/300m
The trail begins at the automobile common for military camp #4 amongst the primary Northside Drive. At busy times it may move improve to common inward ane of the large Yosemite Village lots in addition to grab a frequent complimentary shuttle the brusk distance to halt #7. I walked the apartment pleasant 600m path thru the wood from the Lower Falls loop.
Soon after leaving the automobile park, the Upper Falls trail begins to climb. Gradients are moderately steep, a chip to a greater extent than so than state the 4 Mile Trail, in addition to at that spot is a serial of switchbacks which seem to move on for ever. My mate Kananga would move underwhelmed. The status of the trail was a chip crude oil without becoming unpleasant - plenty of step-ups (dreaded pace downs inward the opposite management of course), some with quite large vertical differences (these are the knee articulation killers on descents) but fortunately at that spot were few cases where the pace up/downs were extremely unopen together dissimilar the Mist Trail. Even better, I can't holler back whatever staircases. However at that spot were some tree roots inward places in addition to quite a few of the stairs were slippery with dust - I'm glad I had my trekking poles although I didn't regard anyone fall. At to the lowest degree 50% of the distance was tree-shaded. This trail seemed pop - to a greater extent than so than the previous day's 4 Mile (but that was somewhat before inward the day).
I'm thinking that's SENTINEL ROCK highest mid image, SENTINEL DOME is the higher indicate (although it looks abt equal from this aspect on concern human relationship it is farther from the camera) but to its left, in addition to the famous GLACIER POINT is the surface area slightly lower far left. If you lot disagree, delight post service inward below.
But who cares? I was feeling proficient in addition to powered on to FIRST VIEW.
Soon after leaving Columbia Rock the trail gets to a greater extent than hard - but thankfully exclusively for a brusk distance. It both steepens into what I would sort equally QUITE STEEP (but considerably below my "HEARTBREAKER" category) in addition to gets to a greater extent than sandy underfoot. I read somewhere that this is a land-slip area. Fortunately the genuinely steep department is picayune over 400m inward length. Shortly after the trail flattens, turns a corner to caput straight due north in addition to starts dropping - perhaps 200ft/65m inward five minutes. When it flattens out you lot should start looking across the narrow side-canyon for the Upper Fall - I missed it completely on concern human relationship of no water/no dissonance in addition to the fact that it drops midway along the canyon wall rather than farther due north at the gulley-head where you lot would await a waterfall to be. So I had to backtrack several hundred meters to the indicate of firstly view. I believe this full general surface area is known equally FIRST GATE. It took me most fifteen minutes to instruct from Columbia Rock to firstly view.
Going dorsum downwardly was non likewise bad at all despite the relatively steep, sometimes slippery in addition to multi-stepped conditions. I think I mightiness receive got been subconsciously thinking of the desire to move inward 'Frisco before dark because it took exclusively an hour. Still that's exclusively abt 1.7mph/2.8kmh. I arrived dorsum at the trailhead at 1450.
FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED - ONWARD TO THE UPPER FALLS
It's some other 2.8 miles/4.4km with a vertical ascent of 1600ft/490m to the Yosemite Falls overlook.
The outlook over the valley is patently a chip restricted at the falls overlook - no worries, it's exclusively some other 0.75 miles/1.2km to the fifty-fifty higher YOSEMITE POINT (6936ft/2114m v 6526/1989) - out of sentiment to the right of the inward a higher house paradigm - where....
UPPER FALLS TO FIRST VIEWPOINT SUM UP
I notice that I went a fair chip brusk of half-way. Nevertheless I thought it was a pretty proficient move out although less than three hours render is chicken-manure compared to my 10 hr Big Loop on the previous day.
Compared to the Big Loop's 12, I'm giving this ane a 6.
How would I receive got gone without the extra preparation I did? I reckon this trek was no harder than many I receive got done inward the Thai Islands. Certainly the latter receive got way steeper, rougher, to a greater extent than treacherous trails. I've never had problems on whatever of them inward my pre training for the Grand Canyon days.
That answers the query most how a fairly gibe soul would go.
How would a normal soul (fairly unfit) go? I reckon they would move able to practise this walk, but would postulate to receive got a fair few stops.
How would an definitely unfit soul go? Fergeddaboudit. If my svelte-challenged mate Kananga took off on this ane he would move hoping his babe, the sensationally scintillating Siam Soonay** remembered to throw the PORTAZAPPA (Mk11) into her backpack.
**Soonay is a dancer/sharp-shooter at Bangkok's Ballistic Banana Club. She is so toned she has muscles on her ---- -----. No problems for Soonay galloping upwards the Upper Falls Trail.
IF YOU SEE MISTAKES OR HAVE ADDITIONAL INFO PLEASE MENTION THEM BELOW - BUT PLEASE DIRECT ANY QUESTIONS TO THE FORUM SECTION - I DON'T LOOK AT THESE INDIVIDUAL PAGES VERY OFTEN BUT I CHECK THE FORUM MOST DAYS.