No obvious trail on the other side either, although we thought about bushwhacking a little before we surmised that the loose soil could become worse. Third, once you've made the sharp left turn up into the gully, the original trail tends to meander upwards generally on the right hand side of the gully as you ascend. Found insideThese stories reveal why Yosemite National Park has inspired humankind for centuries. I haven't been as close as Muir, but I can honestly say that it isn't really better farther out the ledge. Swimming here is as unique as it is beautiful! There is a faded steel sign bolted to the wall ("Trail Closed") on the left. First, we started in Curry Village and went straight up until we met the face of the Glacier Point wall. Although the hike is not long, it is quite strenuous. Non-lodging guests may use the pools at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge: $5.00 per adult per day. I'll give you an 8x10 print of one of my images for a lot less. LOT'S OF PLACES TO SWIM!! Camp, hike, play bocce ball or horseshoes, swim, explore creeks & waterfalls. This is indeed one of the "secret" hikes in Yosemite Valley... its not really a secret, but few(er) people are willing to take the extra effort required to complete the hike. According to the book. A climb to Glacier Point in winter can be very rewarding. In his book, he explained that the Ledge Trail was originally used by the local Indians back in the mid 1800's. Used to be pretty dangerous. She was a reluctant diver at a swimming hole called Rainbow Pool and Waterfall outside Yosemite National Park. After Theresa's 2006 accident though, we're a lot less into hiking alone, I must say. May open in a few years. As for rattlesnakes, I have rarely seen them. Matt, Submitted by Tom on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 11:01. Some Historical Background. Several of these places cross a steep, gravel-lined "chute" in which there are no trees, no bushes, no significant rocks, or other objects to grab onto, so you almost certainly will NOT stop if you get started down one of these chutes. Tom If the described trail does not materialize for us this time out, we'll probably call it quits and not bother again - please wish us luck! River & Lake Swimming A favorite for swimmers of all ages, the Merced River at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley offers soft, sandy beaches which is perfect for spending an afternoon sunning and splashing. There are lots of wonderful walks and hikes of every length on which rattlesnakes should present no problem; in fact, even when they are present, they aren't usually much trouble. Water and good swimming (both Yosemite and Bolinas). Just walk this one and enjoy the falls and the flowers. The Forest Service improved the trail with markings and some maintenance. In spite of being only 10 years old, he is an experienced hiker/climber who has been backpacking since he was 2 years old, enjoys frequent bouldering, and has crossed many similar trails before. And we live in a country where speech is protected. Submitted by Karl Bastian (not verified) on Sat, 07/23/2011 - 00:34, Wow, I am so excited to learn about this hike. "Guide to Yosemite" by Ansel F. Hall. Next time I would begin either from the John Muir Trail parking lot (to the left of Curry Village) or further to the right where the rock fall has cleared the forest. I'll have to run up and take a few more pictures and see if I can't make it a bit more clear. I don't think Bob Roney is "attacking" anything. My son and I got up to the top of the rockslide all right, but where to make the left turn onto Sunnyside Bench - and what we would see at that point - just didn’t gel for us. I have many times considered taking this page down, asking myself whether or not it's appropriate. Submitted by Jeannine (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 18:09. We stopped along the way at White Wolf, where they told us a bear had been hit by a car that very morning. They're five miles (8 km) north of the south entrance and 21 miles (34 km) south of Yosemite Valley on Highway 41. Next, Peekamoose Blue Hole is truly one of the most pristine family-friendly beaches in the Catskills. If you love it, think about a way to report on these very special places without describing routes. That is usually what gets me the most. If you just take your time and pay attention to what you're doing, its a fantastic experience. Return to your car via the same trail, or choose to hike to Yosemite Valley via the Mirror Lake Trail if … There's a huge rock formation about 15-17 feet drop into the water. Anyway, you stated that the trail was closed due to rock falls and I wanted to clarify what the retired Yosemite ranger had written in his book regarding the closures as a direct result of people falling to their deaths. To the north-west lies the rugged metamorphic ridge composed of Mt. I can't say I'm out hiking or climbing every day, but I do spend a fair bit of time outdoors. Yosemite Safety Tips Black Bear in Yosemite National Park It's a popular camping site in the summer, with the swimming hole providing a great place to relax (and ready water supply) and plenty of spots with great views. feel free to download them and use them if the help someone find the hike. The entire route sees the sun for only a short period of time each day. This history of Yosemite follows it as the seat of controversy affecting the evolution of national parks, from its path-breaking establishment in 1864 as a grant to California, 1890 expansion into a national park, boundary reductions and ... Locals refer to this swimming hole as The Ledge, for obvious reasons. When I was younger, I would always tell people "Sure, just go for it. In spite of being only 10 years old, he is an experienced hiker/climber who has been backpacking since he was 2 years old, enjoys frequent bouldering, and has crossed many similar trails before. Newell D. Chamberlain was born in 1880 and spent his early years in San Francisco. I would suggest adding a photo taken from Glacier Point to show the outline of the route. Keep up the good work. Water is low, but cliffs are still good for jumping. There’s no water at Tamarack Flat, so the next morning we packed up and headed up towards Yosemite Creek. Awake on El Cap – The Nose. Second, we hugged the Glacier Point wall nearly all the way to the top where you make the sharp left turn up the gully. Boats are not allowed on the reservoir and swimming 1s difficult when carrying pounds of hardware. 18 miles of continuous Class IV Tuolumne River whitewater rafting. Eventually a creek bed, usually dry, breaks off from the main talus field. Thanks. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Winter about over up there? Submitted by QT Luong (not verified) on Fri, 06/18/2010 - 11:29. Overall, though the grand canyon of swimming holes! Obviously, it depends on your skill and risk tolerance. Bring your camera! My picture is almost like seeing Ansel Adams picture for yourself. has excited every observer. First, I echo previous comments that this is a potentially fatal hike, because there are several places where a narrow trail of loose gravel and dry leaves on a steep slope at its "angle of repose" passes immediately above a 200 foot cliff. Once consolidated, the snow can be very hard (crampons, axe recommended). So fast that my wife, who was standing right next to him at the time, was unable to grab him. As for whether you or anyone else should do a given hike, I can't say. Down came a dash of spent comets, thin and harmless looking in the distance, but they felt desperately solid and stony when they struck my shoulders, like a mixture of choking spray and big hailstones. Its glass and wood architecture work in unity with the surroundings and the ample windows allow in the bright mountain sunshine while providing remarkable views. Starting from the Curry Village parking lot, head south towards Glacier Point, hiking through Curry Village and the tent cabins. For a fine loop hike, you can take the Panorama Trail down to Nevada Falls and back to Happy Isle & Curry Village. I appreciate that you took the time to write about this place as well as caution folks on the dangers involved. Everything you mentioned seems to still be the case with the trail. (6), Comments […] Somewhat nerve-shaken, drenched and benumbed, I made out to build a fire, warmed myself, ran home, reached my cabin before daylight, got an hour or two of sleep, and awoke sound and comfortable, better, not worse, for my hard midnight bath (The Wild Muir: Twenty-Two of John Muir's Greatest Adventures, p. 51-52). Anyway. At Glen Aulin , when the water is not too swift (and if you stay out from under or above the waterfall) there is a pond at the base of the fall that is actually swimmable in parts of the summer season: It's a pretty simple approach. That sounds scary! Wine on the River & Craft Beer Tasting trips available. Its written by a retired US Forest Ranger who compiled all the fatalities from all the various categories (falls, drownings, murder, suicides, etc). The area was a toll road stop during the early days of Yosemite National Park, and by the 1920s the Rainbow Pools had a lodge that catered to tourists heading East. However, I feel obligated to share a story about our hike in the hopes that it may prevent a serious tragedy in the future. After that, we saw two possible trail routes, one about 15 feet up / 25 feet across up to the next cliff and one more or less horizontally westward. That said, John Muir hiked it alone by moonlight on lots of occasions. Tristan Greszko is a photographer and writer based out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My wife is also afraid of heights, and there were a few times when her legs got a bit wobbly (part being slightly afraid and part just plain tired!). I emphasize this, because he did not slip or trip — the loose gravel trail just collapsed right out from under his feet. View Ledge Trail Image Gallery - 25 Images. From Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, hikers wind along the Tuolumne River, climb to May Lake, and peer into Yosemite Valley, passing prime swimming holes and scenic granite domes along the way. Furthermore, some of these dirt slopes are virtually at the angle of repose and the trail tends to cut up away from the edge a bit (it takes a middle line between the edge of the cliffs and the difficult terrain on your uphill side). (It was too early in the season for the flowers you describe in the meadows.) The trail can become braided in a few spots with spurs that go nowhere. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!! Allowed HTML tags: