Yosemite ValleyJun 24 2017

Zero #7: Yosemite Valley

Jun252017
Map thumbnail of location

I took an accidental zero today in Yosemite, so this will be a quick and boring update.

The short version is that Peanut and I decided to skip ahead to Sonora Pass, past all of the super dangerous river crossings and flood zones, and then we'll be back to fill it in later on.

Then we talked to a ranger who had just finished a patrol of the Hetch Hetchy watershed and we schemed up an alternate route which skips the dangerous zones, has minimal road walking, is five miles longer than the PCT, and then rejoins the PCT before leaving Yosemite.

So, game on! However, Peanut already had bus tickets to visit family for some time, so I'm flying solo on this one. Back to ninja camp at Camp 4 and hit the trail at 4am. I've got this.

I didn't take any pictures today, so have this picture from yesterdayI didn't take any pictures today, so have this picture from yesterday

Hetch Hetchy Alternate

I've dubbed this route the "Hetch Hetchy Alternate", for those that are curious. Here's the basic plan:

  1. Start in Yosemite Valley
  2. Hike up Yosemite Falls
  3. Hike over to El Capitan
  4. Hike over to Tamarack Flats campground
  5. Go north over 10+ miles of unmaintained trails to the Hetch Hetchy reservoir
  6. Follow Moraine Ridge to Wilma Lake
  7. Rejoin the PCT
Hetch Hetchy Alternate: day 1Jun 26 2017