Yosemite National Park
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Tenaya Waterslide Yosemite National Park |
August 8, 2023
This year's record snowpack has caused me to pay close attention to snow and water levels when planning hikes. Just two days ago, someone posted a notice that the requisite Tenaya Creek crossing was a foot and a half deep, which would necessitate the removal of one's boots in order to avoid walking all day long in wet feet.
Having been apprised of this, two of my companions have opted to carry their boots the short distance from the trailhead. This proves to have been unnecessary, because we all are able to cross on the rock steps without dealing with more than about two inches of water. In fact, this is the least streamflow I have seen here. Go figure.
The crossing is uneventful
After putting on their boots, Eileen and Cindy join Dave and me on the trail. Within the first minute, there is more activity.
Clearing the trail
Pack train
The plan is to leave the Sunrise Trail after about half a mile of travel; but when I see another group do so a bit earlier than expected, I elect to follow them.
On the trail
Off the trail
For a time, it is just a matter of heading southward through the trees, little meadows, and rock slabs, taking the path of least resistance at every opportunity. Knowing that it is best to keep left of a little hill just ahead, I inexplicably choose to continue on the path taken by the others instead.
Are we having fun yet?
Drainage from the three Sunrise Lakes
Alpine Lily
Presently, but not unexpectedly, the group ahead climbs a granite rockpile, apparently
to look around. I know that this is wrong, because now they are cliffed-out
and cannot continue. Swerving to the left, we run into the aforementioned little
hill. Rather than backtrack, however, we are able to scramble down a slope on a
little boulder chute, which puts us back on track. This maneuver could have been
avoided by staying farther to the left earlier.
It really doesn't matter, though, for another short walk and a minor climb get us to
the lip of — Tenaya Canyon! After explaining yesterday all about the
vaunted dangers of hiking this canyon, here we are! After a short descent, we enter
a giant bowl of solid granite. This is my kind of place.
It's gravy-time!
Almost immediately, we are rewarded by the sight and sounds of Tenaya Creek splashing down the western wall of this amphitheater.
It is crowded at what I call the Rock Bowl Cascade
Of course, I don't mind sharing the wilderness with other people, but I tend not to want them in my photogrpahs. I'll have to wait until later to get a decent shot of these falls. Without ado, we continue down beside the creek toward the green pool at the bottom of the bowl.
A nifty bathtub
Clouds Rest and Half Dome appear
End of the line at Emerald Pool
The Pywiack Cascade, which we viewed yesterday, is but a mile and a half downstream. There is no way to see it from this approach, however; so we will stop here and break out the snacks.
That nearby channel is bone dry. Pity
Here come the others. This could be good!
Surely enough, the group stops beside the trees; then, one of them grabs a sleeping mat and heads for the water. It appears that we might be treated to a show! My camera is ready.
Dad's first effort leads to 'The Bump', a pothole on this side of the creek
She loses her mat and also hits the bump
He makes it down okay
Finally, a perfect run!
For eight more videos, see the Movie Archive at the end of this page. Right now, however, it is time to start back, up what is my favorite creekside traverse of them all:
This is why I go hiking
Enjoy!
Hikers can be seen on the Half Dome cables ⇔
Amazing patterns
Sierra Stonecrop
Douglass's Catchfly
Rock Bowl Falls, without the crowd
Wavyleaf Indian Paintbrush
Yarrow
So long. I'll be seeing you again
Heading up and out of the bowl
Still some work to do
Rose Spirea
Whitebark Pine
Almost to the top
Sticky Cinquefoil
Mariposa Lily and Jewel Flowers
As soon as we exit the canyon, we turn left to get over near the creek again.
This is what I'm looking for — the confluence with the Sunrise Lakes drainage. This is a good-feeling place.
I'd like this in my back yard
The creek bottom around here is so interesting
From here, a long rock wall inserts itself between us and the creek. On my last visit, my gang climbed over the wall as soon as we could, getting back to creekside. Today, however, we follow the use trail alongside the boulders. By the time we see the water again, our walk is nearly finished.
Where we were
A rogue branch is blocking the crossing
On the drive back are a couple of other scenes:
Trying their luck ascending the face of Lembert Dome. It can be done
Tioga Canyon Falls
§: Well, what a unique outing this was! On my third visit, there
finally was a group of daredevils present to provide a show at the waterslide.
We need to go back, though, when Cindy has her bathing suit; she wants to do it.
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| Flowers |  |
ADDENDUM
Here are three pics taken from the other side of Tenaya Creek in 2016:
This was why I went hiking
MOVIE ARCHIVE
Here are eight more videos, in case some family members are interested:
