Yosemite

May 17-21, 2005

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Gretchen and Nick with Upper Yosemite Falls

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YOSEMITE FLOOD
Report by Joel Brewster, Photos by Jim Albamont

Prior to our four days in Yosemite, we visited family and friends in Sacramento, California. We became worried about the status of our trip when, on the local news, it showed footage of the Merced River (which flows throught the middle of Yosemite) flooding! The combination of recent rain, warm temperatures, and approximately double the usual snowpack in the higher elevations was enough to raise the water level several feet. This may not sound like much, but the entrance road to the valley from the west runs right along the Merced River (and is only a couple of feet higher than the normal water level). So, as we saw on the news, they actually closed this west entrance for obvious safety reasons. And, incidentally, the east entrance over Tioga Pass was still closed from winter snow.

Our fears increased as we got a message from Chris, who was already there, saying that their campsite was evacuated because of rising water. Although they were forced to leave their campsite, there was nowhere to go since the road out was closed. They wound up parking their camper along the road and just waiting it out. Eventually the water level lowered, the road out was reopened, and our comrades were allowed back to their campsite.

The members of our group reacted very differently to this tough situation. Some prepared for the worst, stockpiling water and planning escape routes. Some just got frustrated and went home. And some just made the best of it and went hiking while the valley was flooded! At any rate, by the time we arrived on Wednesday evening, the weather is gorgeous and remained so for the rest of the trip. Our timing couldn't have been better!

Over the four days we were there, we hiked Yosemite Falls and about 3/4 the way up to Half Dome, passing Vernal and Nevada Falls on that hike. The falls were all spectacular as flow rates were off the charts! Yosemite Falls was so loud it didn't even sound like water (more like a huge rockfall). The so-called Mist Trail was more like the "Downpour Trail".

The scenery and weather were great, as was the company. Our group of 14 did various activities during the day including rafting, biking, hiking, rock-climbing, and sightseeing, but every evening we would rendezvous and share experiences over the campfire (with plentiful wine and gourmet food of course). It was a wonderful trip and many thanks to the Meyers for organizing it.

Eric paddling over to BBQ pit in campsite!

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HALF DOME
Report and Photos by Jim Albamont

Our group's original plan was to climb Half Dome on Saturday, the last day of our trip. All the beta we got during the week suggested there was too much snow, but I wanted to try it anyway. By Saturday, most of our large group had wimped out. The hike is nearly 17 miles, with a total elevation gain of 4800 ft. The trail passes to the south of Half Dome, then goes behind it, wrapping around to approach the summit from the northeast.

Dave Nelson and I set off around 8 am on the Mist Trail. This trail passes Vernal Falls and was so wet it was like taking a shower, my first in several days. We continued to the top of Nevada Falls, stopping along the way for a good photo-op. At the top of the falls, we caught up with Joel and Amy. We also talked with 2 backpackers who had tried Half Dome the previous day and turned back. Determined, Dave and I forged ahead.

We hit snow at around 7,500 ft, about a mile and a half from the summit. The snow was relatively packed and it was easy to find our way to the bottom of the shoulder. We stopped for lunch and to consider the situation. The shoulder looked a bit imposing, like it might require an ice axe and crampons. It was steep, exposed, and the right side was completely covered in snow, but a band of second and third class rock ran up the left side where the snow had melted off. Dave’s foot and ankle were bothering him from a week of hiking and rock climbing, so he decided to head back. I figured I would get a little closer before making a decision…I really wanted to climb it! I scrambled to the top of the rocks to find only a small, exposed section of snow left to cross. It wasn’t very steep and the footing was good. What had looked nasty from below was actually quite tame. From there it was only a few minutes to the famed cables.

The final several hundred feet of Half Dome are so steep and slabby that the Park Service has bolted a series of heavy steel cables into the rock. Normally the cables are suspended on posts about 4 feet off the ground, but the Park Service had removed the posts for the winter and hadn’t put them up yet. To climb the last section, I picked up the cables, leaned back, and went up hand-over-hand, Batman-style. It was exhausting pulling myself up those thick, heavy cables after 8 miles and 4500 ft of vertical. Fortunately, there were several places to stop and rest. I saw only a few other people on the summit and the view was spectacular. There were snow-capped peaks all around and I could look over the sheer cliff and see thousands of feet down into the valley.

After 20 minutes on top, I headed down. I went down the cables backwards, hand-over-hand, stopping to take a few pictures along the way. By the time I got back to Nevada Falls, the falls were noticeably larger from the snowmelt that day. I stopped for a few more pictures before weaving my way down through the hundreds of tourists who had come to see the best Yosemite waterfalls in years. I made it back in time for a real shower and our big pizza dinner in Yosemite Village. Thanks to Chris and Kristi for a great trip!

Dave Nelson in snow on way to Half Dome

 

The cables up the face of Half Dome

 

Jim descending cables from Half Dome