Zero #7: Yosemite ValleyJun 25 2017

Hetch Hetchy Alternate: day 1

Jun262017
Map thumbnail of location

As mentioned previously, I'm taking an alternate route through Yosemite in order to avoid some very hazardous creek crossings. Well, today is the start of this journey!

Additionally, I'm going solo, so this will be a new experience.

First off: climb Yosemite Falls at 4:00am to beat the heat.

Yosemite Falls in the pre-dawnYosemite Falls in the pre-dawn

Once I had climbed like 3,000 feet, it was time to turn west and hike to El Capitan. This wound up being unimpressive because I didn't see it from the valley floor, so it was just like any other vista point for me. Oh well.

It was a good place to have breakfast, at least.It was a good place to have breakfast, at least.

Then it was time to start the cross-country hike to Hetch Hetchy. This was very scenic and very pretty.

I crossed rivers!I crossed rivers!
And I went through meadows!And I went through meadows!
And I went through forests!And I went through forests!

All told, this unmaintained trail was awesome. It was easy to follow the trail, despite having been unmaintained for several years due to a forest fire. I made good time and wound up not quite making it all the way to Hetch Hetchy, but I was close.

I'll reach it tomorrow morning.

Hetch Hetchy Alternate: day 2Jun 27 2017