Yosemite National Park
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Hidden Falls, Tenaya Canyon Yosemite National Park |
June 6, 2019
Just a month ago, I failed in an attempt to find the elusive Hidden Falls,
although I surely could have tried a bit harder. Today I have a
helper — a new electric bicycle, which will save me a couple of miles
of walking between the shuttle stop and Mirror Lake.
Parking at Half Dome Village, I must take the obligatory photograph of the
ephemeral falls above the tent-cabin complex.
Staircase Falls
Although there is a paved road all the way to the Mirror Lake Trailhead, the
last quarter-mile is off-limits to bicycles rented here in the park.
It seems that too many youngsters were taking advantage of the steepness of that
section by plunging recklessly downhill; the resultant injuries and property
damage were not viewed favorably by the insurance company.
Mine has the orange tires
Today's plan is to proceed directly up to the footbridge on the established trail, rather than trying for a more scenic route. The first thing that I encounter is a big cairn garden that even has some big stone steps leading to it. Oh well, one cannot expect a wilderness experience around here anyway.
If the rangers won't knock them down, then I won't either
Mirror Lake is almost a real lake again during this time of high water
It's mellow going this early in the morning
My cutoff point is just on the other side of the footbridge
The adventure begins
Recent research suggests that the destination can be accessed by remaining near the creek as much as possible, so I'll try to bear that in mind.
Tenaya Creek
Before long, however, an imposing big rock is blocking the way. It looks as
if the only way to continue is to climb above the cliff, then over the top.
Clambering straight up a boulder-strewn runoff channel seems better than
bushwhacking through the willows, so I try to do that.
Blue Witch Nightshade
Black Cherry
Eventually, however, I must resort to my standard hope-for-the-best tactic
of plunging directly uphill through the unfriendly underbrush, hoping to find an easier
route up there somewhere.
Early-morning lighting on Snow Creek Falls
Watson Pinnacles
Above the cliff is a big granite slab that I remember having viewed from above last month, so I am somewhat better off today.
Penstemon
California Thistle
Bruneau Mariposa Lily
Angling across the slab in a generally upstream direction, I find a reassuring cairn, but that's about all.
Someone else has been here
Then, it's back to fighting the willows and the blackberry bushes. There must be a better way.
Crawling through one of the easier sections
It doesn't bother me that I have climbed well above Tenaya Creek by now, for I am expecting to need the gain in elevation eventually. At the base of a higher cliff, I encounter a big cave. Scurrying past it lest I encounter a possible inhabitant, I have no time to arrange for proper camera settings.
Poor lighting on this shot
Scrambling to the top of a big boulder, I finally am able to get a look around. Wow! This view of Snow Creek Falls alone is worth the effort required to get up here.
I have not seen that big waterwheel in any other photograph
Hello! What's this? About a hundred feet directly below me is a woman hiker fiddling with a sleeping bag. I call out, but apparently she cannot hear me due to the roar of the creek.
She surely knows something
Resolving to scramble down there as directly as possible, my choice of routes proves quite difficult and even a bit scary. After a forced retracement past the cave entrance, in one place I stretch an arm almost out of joint while holding onto a willow branch, in order not to slide down a slippery rock too quickly.
Tenaya Creek is roaring
Somehow managing to avoid a calamity, I call out in advance so as not to startle the woman ahead, then make my way over to where she is seated.
Ashley is a cook at the Ahwahnee Hotel
Graciously accepting my company, Ashley admits that it really isn't approved to call it the Ahwahnee anymore; but old habits die hard. I am offered a cookie, part of a soft drink, and a hit on a joint, all of which I accept. Although I haven't had a toke in some years, this seems like a good time.
Ashley, on a birthday holiday, is packing up to head back to civilization, and offers to show me the best route. Firstly, however, she must return a blanket to some cave or other, where apparently it will be stashed for future use by another knowledgeable local hiker. That gives me time for more photographs.
One-Seeded Pussy Paws
Broadleaf Stonecrop
After gazing at Basket Dome, Ashley is ready to leave
We start out by unexpectedly heading upstream, then scrambling up a 30-foot
boulder pile. I never would have thought to go this way.
The tricky exit route
Winding in and out of bushes and gullies, we do seem to making some progress
in the right direction. Ashley, knowing of my advanced years, keeps a
close watch on me and tries not to go too fast. In order to keep up, I must
forgo a couple of desirable photo-ops. Pshaw.
Suddenly I am taken aback. I had expected not to see Hidden Falls today, having assumed that they were farther upstream. Yet here they are!
Side view of Hidden Falls
Getting better
Oh, my! It seems that this mission is a success after all.
This is why I go hiking
Shortly beyond the falls is a slippery spot that Ashley had warned me about. In fact, I do slip on the algae while crossing this trickle of water, but without losing my footing. Ashley says that a couple of acquaintances died here, after falling and sliding all the way down and over the cliff.
No water sports here
Just beyond here, I begin to recognize some landmarks. This is where I shot the photos of those blue penstemon a couple of hours ago!
Déjà vu
Now I'm feeling rather silly. Earlier, all I had to have done was to stay low instead of going high, with my destination just around the corner.
Had I gone straight instead of veering right...
The remainder of this adventure is just a formality now, for Ashley and I essentially retrace the route that I used when coming up. Within ten minutes, we are back on the main trail.
The footbridge is a welcome sight
I bid Ashley farewell here, not wanting to hold her up any more. Although I am not particularly weary, I plan to take my sweet time henceforth.
A welcome trail
A mile down the way, I run into my erstwhile companion again. She is speaking to a couple of tourists in some foreign language, so it's farewell again.
Ashley's normal "lunch spot"
The trail is busier this afternoon
§: Well, that was wonderful! Had I proceeded by the shortest route
after all, I never would have met Ashley, and everything else would have changed.
In any case, now that I know the way, I must return when the stream flow is reduced,
so as to experience the cascade when it is living up to its nickname,
"Three Chutes Falls".
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Adventure | |
| Flowers |  |
On the way back to the car, I steer my new bicycle over behind the
nearby big hotel (yes, I also always will call it the Ahwahnee), for a photo-op
that proves deceptively difficult to handle.
Royal Arch Cascade
Photographs from across the valley work out much better.
