EASTERN SIERRAS----AGAIN

Well we decided that if we stayed home too long we would get bored, so we took off again. Once again we’re in the Eastern Sierras, one of our favorite places. We haven’t done any fishing on this trip, spending most of our time hiking mostly to places we haven’t been to.

We started out early in the morning to miss the traffic in Riverside and San Bernardino and after hitting US 395, smoke started coming out of the left front wheel. Not hot brakes, but a burning rubber smell. We stopped in Victorville at the Ford dealer, who got us right in. They found nothing wrong and suggested that I must have been braking hard. Well, I wasn’t and knowing we weren’t going to get anywhere with them, we headed back out on the road. Hey, it’s a new truck and if in burns up Ford will just be buying me another.

We made it to Lee Vining without any further trouble and set up camp at Lower Lee Vining Creek Campground, a forest service camp. Located just outside on Yosemite, it is a perfect spot for exploring the Yosemite high country. Armed with my Senior Parks Pass, camping was half price and entry to Yosemite will be free, if I don’t take into account that I pay taxes.

Each morning we got up early and headed into the park for hikes around the Tuolumne Meadows area. The park is pretty crowded this time of year, but we found by hiking early, and more than a mile away from Tuolumne Meadows, we saw very few people. Anyway we hit some really nice trails, all of which were new for us.

Pothole Dome and the Tuolumne River were first up for a short hike to get acclimated to the elevation. We saw nobody on this hike until the very end on our way back to the trail head.

CATHIE ON POTHOLE DOME

DEER IN THE RIVER

YOSEMITE NATIVE

Next up was Elizabeth Lake at 4.5 miles round trip, another acclimation hike. Wins the award for a lake shaped most like a jigsaw puzzle piece. Pretty lake set in a bowl ringed by trees and up against great granite promontories that rise steeply from lake’s edge. Once again we only saw a few people, but there were plenty of mosquitoes to keep us company.

ELIZABETH LAKE

Not wanting to waste any time hanging around camp, the next day we were back in the park for a hike to North Dome. North Dome is across the Yosemite Valley from Half Dome and is most easily reached from Tioga Road. After a 4.4 mile walk in the woods you are rewarded with a spectacular view across the valley to Half Dome. Also included at no extra charge are views of Clouds Rest and the valley it self. If you look carefully you can also spy Indian Arch, the only arch in the park.

CHECKING OUT THE VIEW

INDIAN ARCH, WE OPTED TO VEIW IT FROM HERE

Now that I had gotten the kinks out, the next day I left Cathie in camp and headed out to Glen Aulin and the Tuolumne Falls. There is a High Sierra Camp at Glen Aulin where you can reserve a bunk in one of the tent cabins. For an extra bit of cash, your meals will be provided. Most people hike the 6+ miles to the camp, stay a night or two and hike back out. In the alternative you can also hike to a series of camps located in the Parks high country. I got an early start and the first time I saw another person was when I arrived at Glen Aulin. In the first couple of miles the trail touches the Tuolumne River on several occasions as it flows through Tuolumne Meadows. Then the river leaves the meadows and begins it’s decent towards Glen Aulin and later the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. At first it’s sedate, but gradually gets more rambunctious as it descends over layers of granite culminating in a series of cascades over the Tuolumne Falls. If you ever get to do this hike, do it. It’s really beautiful, and not too crowded early in the morning.

ON THE WAY TO GLEN AULIN

RIVER VIEW

UPPER FALLS

GLEN AULIN HIGH SIERRA CAMP

YOURS TRULY AT LOWER FALLS

I always try to learn something new in our travels and this trip is no exception. Of course if I think it’s something that might of interest to the reader of my humble blog, I would be remiss if I didn’t pass it along. I have finally been able to answer the age old question:

“Does a bear shit in the woods?”

WHY YES, HE SURE DOES

Stay tuned for the second installment of our educational trip to the Sierras.

IT HAPPENED IN MAUI

After 9 years, give or take, Hansjorg finally did the right thing and married Silke.  Only a few people knew about the upcoming event so it will be a surprise to many of their friends in Germany. 

OF COURSE THEY HAD TO GO IN THE WATER! 

I THINK HE'S HAPPY

What a way to cap off a trip to the states.  Now it's time for the long flight back home.  Cathie and I were unable to attend the wedding in Maui, but Gary and Diane went with them as chaperons.  Next year we'll be meeting them in Paris for another episode of Gassaway's Adventures

SOUTHERN UTAH - A WHIRLWIND TOUR

Cathie and I headed out on Saturday for our meet up with Hansjorg and Silke in Bluff.  With an overnight stop along the way, we arrived in Bluff in the early afternoon.  As we drove over the San Juan River, I looked down and noticed our loaned out 4-Runner in the campground below.  So we pulled in and met up with our friend in the same spot that we met Hansjorg two plus years ago.  After getting an update on their first week on the road, we headed into the small town for lunch, before checking into our rooms at The Desert Rose.

With this being a whirlwind tour of the southwest, we decided to get cracking, heading up the Moki Dugway.  After making it safely to the top we drove out to Muley Point for the spectacular view over looking the San Juan River 2300 feet below.  Quite a sight!

 HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN

We then headed back to town for happy hour on the porch and later dinner at one of the few (two) local establishments.

No trip to this part of Utah would be complete without a short hike to House on Fire.  I think this is our 3rd or 4th trip to view this marvel, and I wouldn't hesitate to return again.  It's something to see.  An added benefit on this trip was that we were the only ones at the ruin.

 HOUSE ON FIRE

We next made a stop at Bridges National Monument opting for the scenic drive around the park and the short (.5 mile) walk to Owachome Bridge.  You can walk under the bridge, but walking on the top is not allowed.  Of course if it was, you wouldn't find me out there.

 BELOW OWACHOME BRIDGE

From Bridges we headed towards Capitol Reef, with a stop for lunch overlooking the Colorado River where it empties into Lake Powell.  Last time we were here was after a raft trip down the Colorado and the lake was nowhere to be seen due to an extended drought.

By the time we arrived in Capitol Reef it was pretty late in the day so we headed for Austins Chuckwagon Motel, our home for the next two nights.  First things first. Happy Hour.

Next day we spent the better part of the day driving the Burr Trail, a scenic drive of about 75 miles.  Starting in the small town of Boulder, it passes through some pretty desolate country with beautiful views.  At one point the road drops down what amounts to a cliff to the valley below.

THE BURR TRAIL

After a day of exploring Capitol Reef, we headed out the following morning along Utah's Hwy 12.  This is one of the most scenic roads in the country, passing through Grand Staircase-Escalante on the way to Bryce Canyon.  We stopped for a hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, a 6 mile round trip hike along, what else but Calf Creek.   Walking between mineral-streaked cliffs of Navajo Sandstone in a we passed beaver ponds and rock art sites en route to the 126-foot-high Lower Calf Creek Falls.  With water flowing year round, the valley floor is carpeted with greenery.

SILKE AND HANSJORG SIGNING THE TRAIL REGISTER

THE FALLS COME INTO VIEW

LOWER CALF CREEK FALLS

With the temperature climbing into the high eighties, the falls were a welcome sight.  Only problem is, that the water is really cold, hovering around 50 dregrees.  After taking my boots off, I waded in to cool my feet.   In less than a minute my feet were numb.  Just perfect for Hansjorg to take a dip.

YES, HE WENT ALL THE WAY IN

By the time we got back to the trail head, the temperature was hovering close to 100 degrees, so we headed to Tropic for our next overnight stop.  The next morning we drove the short distance to Bryce Canyon and took a short 3 mile hike into the canyon.  We managed to complete a loop into the canyon before it got too hot.  Lots of people in Bryce, to the point that portions of the trail were crowded.  It seemed that most of the visitors were from foreign counties, with Germany up near the top.

We then headed to Zion, where we would spend the next three nights.

 A STROLL IN BRYCE

UNDER THE EAVES

With so many people starting their vacations, finding lodging in places like Bryce and Zion can be a problem.  In Zion we ended up at two different B and B's for our 3 nights.  The first night was spent at Under the Eaves, a really nice old house with rooms inside and two rooms in an old converted building that was used for park employees in the 30's.  The next two nights were spent at The Red Rock Inn.  We couldn't have asked for nicer accommodations, a really great breakfast delivered to our rooms, and nice hosts in Marci and Johnathan. 

With Zion being even more crowded than Bryce, Hansjorg suggested a hike in the back country.  Also known as the East Rim Trail, the hike goes from the east entrance of the park to the valley floor.  Ten miles in length we were hoping for some solitude.  We picked the right trail, not seeing anybody for the first 8 miles and in the last 2 miles we only saw a few people as the trail neared the valley floor.  With the elevation at 6700 feet the temperature was comfortable until such time as we started down into the valley.  Then it got hot, really hot, especially while walking over some of the slick rock.  Arriving at the valley floor, we boarded the park shuttle for the ride back the to visitor center and town.  This was a great hike, and the only steep part of the trail was going down.  My kind of hike.

 

SILKE IN THE FLOWERS

HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN

ON THE TRAIL

HANSJORG LOOKING DOWN AT FLOWERS

 HEADING INTO THE CANYON

The next day we decided on a short hike to the Emerald Pools.  Again, lots of people.  In fact, way too many people,  so we opted for lunch at Zion Lodge.

  

 EMERALD POOLS TRAIL

We spent the last afternoon at The Red Rock Inn trying to stay cool with an extended happy hour.  Then next morning we headed to Vegas for the night.  Silke had never been to Las Vegas and wanted to see the lights.  She did try her hand at a slot machine, loosing her budgeted $2. 

HANSJORG'S FIRST PHILLY CHEESE STEAK

The week we spent with Hansjorg and Silke touring Southern Utah is filled with great memories spent with good friends.  We turned their care over to Gary and Diane for the next week of their adventure.  Next up: MAUI!