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Team in Training- Yosemite Hikes Hike Descriptions 2017

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Team in Training- Yosemite Hikes Hike Descriptions 2017 TEAM IN TRAINING- YOSEMITE HIKES HIKE DESCRIPTIONS 2017 *There is a possibility that some of the day hikes will be reconfigured that contain sections still buried with snow or roads closed that won't allow us to get to the start. If we have to make changes we will provide an alternate hike that is of a similar length and character as the one you indicated as your first or second choices (see alternate destinations below). PANORAMA TRAIL* The Panorama Trail above Yosemite Valley is a true classic! The 8.5-mile trail offers stunning views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, beginning on the southeastern rim and ending in Yosemite Valley 3,000 feet below. Trail description: A moderate, though fairly long at 8.7 miles, the Panorama Trail: is 1,420’ up, and 4,600’ down. Starting at Glacier Point the trail begins a 2-mile downhill section, with wonderful views, to a bridge crossing at Illilouette Creek. After a short stop along the stream we climb a moderate 1.5 miles to the top of Panorama Wall, a huge cliff above the Merced River Canyon as it leads from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley. From here the trail is mostly downhill all the way to Yosemite Valley. From the high point we continue downhill approximately another mile to a junction with a trail leading to the lake basins and wilderness of the southern end of Yosemite National Park. Another mile leads to the junction with the John Muir Trail about 1/2 mile west of the top of Nevada Fall. We turn right to the top of the fall for our lunch break. After lunch, we descend to Yosemite Valley by following the “Wild and Scenic” Merced River. There are two variations, the Mist Trail and John Muir Trail, and each of the two Panorama Groups will exit via a different trail. The Mist Trail travels right alongside both Vernal and Nevada Falls, feeling the wind and perhaps mist from the falls themselves. Hikers of the Mist Trail will encounter several hundred granite steps, which are likely to be wet in June. The John Muir Trail is ¾ mile longer and is a gentler grade. The trail is mostly forested SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 and occasionally breaks out for sweeping overlooks of the two waterfalls from various vantage points. Both variations are very scenic and memorable. SENTINEL - PANORAMA TRAIL* Beginning at the Sentinel Dome Trailhead we hike 1 mile to the summit of Sentinel Dome perched high above Yosemite Valley. From there, we drop several hundred feet over 1 additional mile to glacier Point where we connect with the Panorama Trail (See description above). Total distance 10.5 miles. YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL Hike up alongside North America’s highest waterfall, Yosemite Falls (2,425’). Highlights of this famous trail include full springtime water conditions in the falls, the exhilarating overlook atop Yosemite Falls and the sweeping panoramic vista from Yosemite Point. Trail description: This is a fairly long and quite strenuous 9 mile round trip involving a 2,840-foot elevation gain and then loss. Starting at Camp 4, the rock climber’s walk in campground, the trail begins a steady, fairly steep series of switchbacks for just over a mile to the crossing of a seasonal stream. After a short level section the trail switchbacks steeply for about another 1/2 mile to the old Columbia Point and views of Yosemite Valley and SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 MT. Clark in the high country. A few more steep, sandy switchbacks and the trail levels, drops downhill and levels again before reaching a spectacular and noisy (lots of crashing water in season) view of upper Yosemite Fall. A short side trail leads to “Oh My Gosh Point” and a view of the Upper Fall as well as a view straight down to the Lower Fall. Continuing on the main trail we drop down again, level out and the follow a long series of switchbacks to the top of the Upper Fall area. A short, exciting, side trail leads to a view straight down the Upper Fall. Back on the main trail we drop down to Yosemite Creek, cross it on a strong bridge and continue for a moderate 1 uphill mile to the top of Yosemite Point, just over 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. At the railing we can look down the cliff face into Yosemite Valley, see the Lost Arrow Spire and, with luck, maybe some climbers on the spire. We’ll also have fine views of the Clark Range and the high country and down to the Valley. After lunch and enjoying the view we retrace our steps to the Valley floor. YOSEMITE BIG LOOP This challenging hike traverses the eastern end of Yosemite Valley’s south rim, beginning and ending from deep within Yosemite Valley itself. Highlights include ever-changing panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, savoring views of the snowy high country from Sentinel Dome, a visit to Glacier Point, and getting up close to some of Yosemite’s most iconic waterfalls. Trail description: Ultimate challenge! This is a long hike with significant elevation gain and loss. Total mileage is about 16.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 4,600 feet. Begin in Yosemite Valley at the 4-mile trail trailhead. Hike a steep 4.6 miles to Glacier Point (the trail has been reworked from it’s original late 1800’s route and is now 0.6 miles longer). This trail is one of the very few places with top to bottom views of the 2,425’ Yosemite Falls, North America’s highest waterfall. We then complete a side trip to Sentinel Dome (8,122 feet), roundtrip 3 miles from Glacier Point. We then continue on to the Panorama Trail beginning with a 2-mile downhill section to a bridge- crossing at Illilouette Creek. After a short stop along the bank of this stream we climb a moderate 1.5 miles to the top of Panorama Wall (600ft) , a huge cliff above the Merced River Canyon as it leads from Yosemite Valley to Little Yosemite Valley. From here the trail is mostly downhill all the way to Yosemite Valley. From the high point we continue downhill approximately another mile to a junction with a trail leading to the lake basins and wilderness of the southern end of Yosemite National Park. Another mile leads to the junction with the John Muir Trail about 1/2 mile west of the top of Nevada Fall. After enjoying the waterfall, we retrace our steps back to the junction and then continue down the Muir Trail towards Yosemite Valley. After just over one easy mile we leave the Muir Trail and take a side trail towards the top of Vernal Fall and along the way stop at one of the best overall views of the fall. We continue along the trail to another junction that takes us SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 to Vernal Fall. After a stop for an optional look directly over the edge of Vernal Fall we go up a short way then begin the steep steps down the wet and aptly named Mist Trail. After the steps we re-join the Muir Trail, follow it to Happy Isles on the Valley floor and then continue to Curry Village. Total mileage is about 16.5 miles with a total elevation gain of 4,600 feet and loss of 4,600 feet. DEWEY POINT TRAIL* This is a pleasant and moderate 9.5-mile hike with 1280' up and 3800' down. This hike goes through what is often one of the premier wild flower areas in Yosemite, and spends the majority of time traversing the southwestern rim of Yosemite Valley, offering superb views down into the valley, of El Capitan, and the Yosemite high country. Elevation synopsis: The trailhead sits at 7050 feet and descends 270 feet over 2.1 miles. Over the next 1.8 miles you will gain 420 feet to Dewey Point (7200’). You will descend 100 feet over the next 0.7 miles to Crocker Point (7,100’). You will then descend 547 feet over the next 0.7 miles to Stanford Point (6,650’). Over the next 4.2 miles you will drop 2,250 feet in elevation to the end of the hike at the famous Wawona Tunnel View lookout point (4,400’). The last 1.5 miles will be the steepest downhill sections. YOSEMITE VALLEY HIKE This year we have re-tooled this classic day in Yosemite to keep you on your toes. As in previous years, we will be spending the day hiking and sightseeing within Yosemite Valley, but this year will focus on destinations that past attendees may not have visited in the past. The day includes some great discussion on the natural history SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 found throughout the park. Don’t forget your binoculars! We will take you to some of the famous destinations Yosemite is famous for, but we will also reveal some of the “Yosemite Secrets” that aren’t as commonly seen by the millions who visit the Park each year. This day does include the use of a vehicle to help maximize our sight-seeing. We will set-out on several hikes up to 1 mile in length. SOUTHERN YOSEMITE MOUNTAIN GUIDES MEMORABLE MOUNTAIN TRIPS SINCE 1991 .
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