Woke up early Friday morning, well before my alarm. Since I was up I grabbed my food and gear and left the house. It was so early I made great time, cruise control most of the way and ended up in Yosemite Valley at 8am. The Wilderness Center was closed so I went over to the Visitor Center, and it was closed too (opens at 9am). As I looked around I saw a self registration station! Once I filled out my permit I was on my way.
Yosemite Fall from the Valley; 8am
After parking and arranging my gear I was hiking by 9am. I passed about 15 people on the way up, mostly in groups of 2 or 3, so the trail was not busy. It was easy walking so my training is paying off. Once near the upper falls I was getting misted on, and water like rain was coming off the trees. It was nice to be cooled off since this section has sun and can be warm when working hard. At the top I took a left at the trail junction, heading up Yosemite Creek. The path was quickly covered in snow.
Snow Covered Trail
At the junction for El Capitan and Eagle Peak I could not find the trail. I used my map and compass to figure out the direction and made my own path. The snow was holding up but occasionally I would sink in, then I had a small section I was going in ankle, then knee, then hip deep. I had to be very careful around down trees because the snow will melt around them causing voids that you can easily fall into. I was on the south side of the creek and the trail was on the north side, so I followed the creek up, it was impossible to cross so I kept climbing. I found this great rock clear of snow for lunch, and an easy spot to cross.
Lunch Spot at Creek Crossing
I needed water and was excited to try my new Platypus GravityWorks filter. I connected it directly to my Camelback reservoir (using a quick disconnect from Camelback) and lifted the bag ready for gravity to do the work. I checked to make sure the Camelback valve was open because the flow was so slow. Nothing worked, the flow rate was horrible. I had to squeeze the bag to get water out. Finally topped off I crossed the creek and found the trail on the other side. Following it up the hill to the meadow I had snow free spots, and the meadow only had one section that was difficult to cross without getting wet.
Water Crossing at Eagle Peak Meadows
This photo makes it look easy, but after the log you climb onto the snow mound, no idea what is under it. Then you hop some water to the other snow mound and work your way around the dead tree without the limbs knocking you in the water to jump another few feet to the next snow mound. After that it was easy to follow the trail. I headed up Eagle Peak trail to find dirt and camp the night. Along the ridge I found lots of snow free flat spots.
Friday Night Camp
Total for the day was 7.5 miles and 3,800 feet of elevation gain in 3:30. I had time to spare as the sun was not setting for several hours so I just reflected on being alone. I am not used to hiking alone so it was very emotional.
Saturday I woke up early, before my alarm, and was on the trail quickly since I don't need to cook for breakfast. My water didn't freeze, but was getting low. If my filter didn't work better I was going to go home, but the snow was firm and I was making good time so I picked up the pace and was back at my lunch spot from the previous day in 15 min-ish. I decided to follow the trail others had made and not my original route. It was easy to follow and with firm snow I was making good time. Then I lost the trail in a maze of mini creeks and mounds of snow. I heard voices and saw four guys looking at a large water crossing. "Is that the trail?" I asked. They pointed to a log several feet away and said that was the only way they found to cross. So I made my way to the log, hopping over a few creeks and then climbing onto the log and not even pausing crossed. I said thanks and someone said "you made it look easy". I never saw them again as I was now back at the junction and saw my mistake from the day before. What I thought was just running water was actually the trail. The snow was still firm so I took off down the trail, I felt like I was flying. I quickly stopped at the top of Yosemite Falls and the wind nearly blew me over.
Bridge over Yosemite Creek, Falls on the Right
I filled the "Dirty" reservoir and hooked it up to my Camelback, but zero water was flowing. I squeezed the bag and freezing water spilled out all over my hands. Then I noticed the valve on the Camelback was closed. I opened it up and water began to flow, really fast. I was so happy. I think the trick was to get the bag higher off the ground. Once water was full I headed to North Dome. The trial was so easy to follow since many others had done this hike. A few easy creek crossings and I was on North Dome.
Typical Creek Crossing
I made a clothes line and hung my tent to dry the bottom. While it dried I had lunch.
Lunch
I met two hikers who came from Snowcreek, and they said the trail was a challenge but they made it and I could follow the footprints they left. In some cases all I could find was the faint trial they left. Also, I left my water bottle next to a cool looking rock that I photographed and had to double back to get it. I made good time to the junction with the Indian Rock trail. As I followed the trail I thought the people had no idea what they were doing (but they did, I checked my GPS later and the trail I followed was exactly on the trail). They were going straight down the hill, but since I knew the topography I knew the trail came out at the highest point in the valley to my left. I found the trail signs just above the snow at the 4 way junction with Lehamite Creek. I could not find my trial when I saw a guy coming my way (and looking lost). I yelled and he came my way. He told me the general direction of the trail and that this section was hard to follow but the rest was not so bad. After we parted I headed down Lehamite Creek to get water, then came back to the junction to find a clear spot for camp. I headed up the hill since the ridge would be snow free.
Amazing Sunset at Saturday Camp
Total for the day was 13.4 miles and 3,100 feet of elevation gain in 5:41.
It was a very windy night, but I slept well and again woke up before my alarm. I knew the trail was going to be a challenge so I wanted to start early while the snow was firm. I am glad the guy pointed me in the correct direction because the snow was firm and didn't leave much trail. After about 10 min of really focused trail finding the path became clear and I made good time.
Waterfall
After leaving the waterfall the trail headed south and the snow changed to much firmer, even frozen in places and I fell hard on my right side. I slowed my pace and was glad, many frozen sections.
Trial Conditions
By the time I reached Snow Creek Bridge the trial was clear of snow.
Snow Creek Bridge
Another opportunity to fill up on water and the Platypus system worked great. The rest of the trail was snow free and downhill to the valley, only 1.7 miles away. I made good time on the way down but my legs and knees were starting to feel it. It was Sunday and I passed about 5 people on the trail. Once in the valley I saw a lot more people. I decided to skip the bus and hike back to the car and hiking on flat surfaces felt weird. Once back at the car I drove to a pull out near the water to clean up, have a Strawberry Recoverite and snack before the drive home.
Bananas, Raisins, and Peanut Butter
Total for the day was 11.5 miles and 400 feet of elevation gain in 4:00. Elevation loss was about 4,000 feet.
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