Springtime
in CA means a few great things activity-wise. With warmer temps, snow in the
high elevations starts to melt and descend from the mountains to our low lakes.
During that journey, free flowing rivers swell and rush, and whitewater boating
season is at it’s peak; in addition, the numerous waterfalls in Yosemite just gush into
the valley.
With
some begging and pleading, I managed to get a friend and her dad (Nina &
Rob – who are very accomplished and big boaters), to join me on a trip to
the Class IV section of the Merced River, just a few miles out of Yosemite
National Park. We attempted the float last May, but missed the water
by just a few days. This go around, we hit it just right. Flow was about 2,800
when we put on at Redbud for some exhilarating whitewater action.
After
a day of rafting, I parted ways with the Dreyer’s & their friends and
headed into Yosemite to spend a few days tromping around the park. I believe
I’ve only been to Yosemite once in my life, and that was during an end-of-year
8th grade class trip. I, along with a few of my fellow classmates,
biked from SF to the park. I think that the bike trip overshadowed the actual
visit to Yosemite because this go around everything felt 100% new to me. I
don’t know if saying I was blown away is enough to communicate just how unbelievable I thought it was. Yosemite isn’t just a treasure of the state or country, but
it’s an absolute treasure of the universe.
With
some great reco’s from my buddy Ari, I managed to see a ton of the valley by
foot & bike, and also stayed at the amazing Camp 4, which is a no
reservation camp on the valley floor mostly frequented by climbers, hippies and
dirtbags. It was one of the best ‘car camping’ experiences I’ve ever had
– very sociable and cool people everywhere.
While
it wasn’t a huge winter, it has been a warm early spring and though waterfalls
weren’t at their maximum, they certainly were impressive every way you looked.
In my few days there, I hike to Yosemite Falls,
biked the valley floor and checked out Mirror Lake & Half Dome, and
hiked Vernal & Nevada Falls as well. My feet were sore but the few days in
Yosemite will certainly be remembered. It’s amazing that with all the travel this year,
one of the absolute highlights is found right in my backyard.
After Yosemite, I popped back to SF to catch up with
Brian to return again to the mighty Merced, this time without the help and careful watch
of zen master Rob & Nina. For one of the days on the river I was joined by a Camp 4
friend/traveler, Rich. Over the weekend, Brian and I managed to navigate the
Class IV water safely, which is a big step up, and accomplishment in our boating
careers. Flow was a bit lower than earlier in the week, but still big and fun.
Looks like water will probably continue to taper, and I imagine it will be over
up there within a week. We hit it just right.
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| Bow princess Nina guiding me through my first big run on the Merced |
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Commercial boat running through Neds while we scout
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| First views of Yosemite Falls from the trail on the hike up |
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| On my way up, passing the base of the falls |
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| Stunning view of Yosemite Falls with Half Dome across the valley |
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| Water approaches the edge |
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| Long way down with several cascades to make it 2,425' to the valley floor |
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| Lunchtime view down the valley and of Half Dome |
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| Evening light on my bike ride around the valley loop |
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| Stunning sun-kissed walls across the meadow |
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| Half Dome with evening light |
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| Reflections in Mirror Lake |
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| Vernal Falls from the very wet Mist Trail |
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| I suppose they don't call it the Mist Trail for nothing – rainbow arches over The Merced at the bottom of Vernal Falls |
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| Close proximity with an impressive view of Nevada falls |
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| High up on the Merced – I imagine this water will be at Red Bud with in 10 hours or so |
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| Giving the feet a rest at the top of Nevada Falls – Merced river below and Yosemite Valley floor in the distance |
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| Looking back at Nevada Falls from The John Muir Trail |
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| A final view of Half Dome with afternoon light as I pack to head home |
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| Parting view of the magnificent Yosemite Falls – both lower and upper |
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| B-Mac all rigged up for the weekend |
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| Rich putting some unbased trust in me at put-in |
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| The only 'oh shit' moment of our day – oars out of hand and boat is surfed sideways above the Class IV Chipped Tooth |
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| Rich getting a face full in Neds |
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| Evening time on the river, making miles to takeout |
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| This spread is starting to look a little too familiar to me |
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| Nice river campsite on the Merced |
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| Kate & Brian coming out of the Taj |
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| B-Mac ready for a second day on the river |
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| Pushing through it & staying upright |
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| Brian scouting Neds |
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| Boater comes through while we scout – can you see him? |
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| Brian upright out the bottom of Neds |
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| The moment before the water hits |
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| Working hard & getting wet |
