Yosemite National Park
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Merced Grove Yosemite National Park |
June 5, 2019
Having taken a wrong turn on the way over to Hetch Hetchy, I ended up in the Cherry Lake area instead. Although park and wilderness areas are accessible there, the short section of trail I tried was so unappetizing that I returned to the car to seek my fortune elsewhere.
A few miles inside the park is a bucket-list item. When I passed by
here two weeks ago, the area was largely snowbound; but today it is dry, and
hot — about 80 degrees.
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The walk begins on the historic Old Coulterville Road, the original stage
route into Yosemite Valley. Around 1874, one could travel from San Francisco
by train to Oakdale, then by stage over this route and into the valley —
a 36-hour excursion — for just $32 round-trip.
Meals cost 50¢ extra.
Flat and easy, but unexciting
Starting downhill
It is like this for about a mile
Presently, a modest display appears.
There are but two big trees in this section
This is the smallest giant sequoia grove in Yosemite. The other two are Tuolumne Grove just east of here and the renowned Mariposa Grove at the southern tip of the park.
Actually, there are just twenty or so sequoias in the entire grove
There are no named specimens here. In fact, the only signage of any kind admonishes visitors to remain on the pathway.
Completed in 1935 and used for a time as a retreat for park superintendents
The trees are too tall for the camera
An earlier signpost indicated something called Twin Bridges a mile farther down the trail. I don't know what that's about, but I might as well amble down and find out.
This trail needs some TLC
In two places I am compelled to crawl underneath a fallen tree, until the trail rejoins Moss Creek.
The Twin Bridges site
Originally, one bridge crossed the creek and another spanned a diversion ditch. All that remains today is pieces of the foundations.
Moss Creek 'Falls'
Well, that's it for me. I could continue down to the community of Foresta from here, but that's not where my car is.
One of many obstacles
Some unrecognized butterflies are flitting about, but getting a good photograph proves problematical.
Western White-Ribboned Carpet Moth
The only flowers in evidence today are in a tree! Go figure.
Dogwood
Always a pleasure to visit these guys
Resuming the hill
The trailhead signpost warns hikers to carry plenty of water in order to deal with
this advertised "moderately strenuous 600-foot climb", yet the ascent proves
nearly effortless for me.
The camera wants to shoot something
§: Well, I needed to fill up my time today, and I'm glad to have
chalked up this bucket-list item; but other than the always pleasant
visit with some of earth's biggest living things, this walk was unremarkable.
I suppose that it could be better earlier when more dogwoods are blooming, or it
could be better in the fall season.
Don't bother continuing past the main grove, because there is nothing worth seeing. Go over to the nearby spectacular Tuolumne Grove instead, which unfortunately is quite crowded at times.
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Here is an old map of the area:
Merced Grove is at left-center
