We stop in Coarsegold to get some coffee from Zanders and to top off the tank at the nearby gas station.
We took a slight detour to our trip when Pam noticed the Fresno River waterfalls in Yosemite Forks north of Oakhurst. We made a right on River Falls Road, but the road led took us back the other way. Next time we will take Road 222 and take Hidden Falls Road.
The drive to YNP was clear. No snow whatsoever on the roads or on the sides.
I noticed the Apple Tree Inn DID NOT have any snow on its roof! I was hoping to see it like this...
but it was not to be! There was one little small patch on the roof and that was it!
We get to Fish Camp and I noticed a thin film of new snow on top of the old snow on the side of the road. Not looking good.
We go through the park entrance and make the right hand turn to the parking area. We are a little disappointed when we arrived. Actually, I was disappointed. There was no snow on the roads or in the parking lot. I checked a nearby snowbank and the only fresh snow was a thin layer of sleet granules. The road to Mariposa Grove is closed and the road beyond the locked gates is void of ANY snow!
So much for using the snowshoes!
We begin at 10:00 a.m. and hike up the 2-mile long road. There was another couple ahead of us. It was us four. This my very first visit to Mariposa Grove.
About 3/4 of a mile into the hike, I notice snowpack on the road! Woo hoo! Long last. It appeared as if we would need to put on our Yaktrax.
As we made our way closer, disappointment set in...AGAIN! It was just a patch of snow. We encountered a couple more patches in the road. Well, at least we didn't have to tote our snowshoes!
I am hiking in my North Face Baltoros. Not exactly the best shoes to hike in this kind of "terrain." Pam is in her Vasque hiking boots.
We make it. We take a couple of pictures. We stop to make a pitstop before heading up the trail to the Grizzly Giant. The couple who were in front of us, turned around at this point.
The trail was a gentle upward slope with a couple of switchbacks. Very little snow accumulation considering the recent storm that went through here.
As we got closer to the Grizzly Giant, the snow started coming down heavily as we made elevation gain. I kick up some dirt in the trail to mark the trail for our trip back.
After spending about 20 minutes at this part of the grove, we headed back the way we came. The dirt I had exposed was covered with at least 1/4" to 1/2" of new snow. All this in a span of 20-30 minutes! Conditions weren't "whiteout" but it was coming down heavily. Pretty awesome to be out in the wilderness when there is snow falling.
We take a shortcut going down another trail back to the parking lot. The trail led us down to the road. We "postholed" a lot through the old snow. Added to the thrill of the hike and gave us a good workout. Our snowshoes would not have done us any good since the snow was old and our snowshoes are more for powder rather than for wet or packed snow.
We encountered approximately 15 people on our way back. It was good knowing we had Mariposa Grove all to ourselves.
We hiked 6.32 miles in 2 hours and 56 minutes. Some of the pictures didn't come out good. Although we expected to see a lot of snow, we still had fun.
When we got home, we unloaded our gear, did a few things around the house and then we jumped in the spa and reflected on our little jaunt into Mariposa Grove. We were a little sore from all of the postholing, but that is a given.
It felt great to get out and about again...
I am in this picture somewhere.
Somewhere in here, too.
A stream.
Which way should we go?
At the Grizzly Giant.
Grizzly Giant.
I am in awe of the Grizzly Giant.
Pam at the Grizzly Giant.
Me at the Grizzly Giant.
Me in the Tunnel Tree.
Pam at the Tunnel Tree.
The "shortcut"-- No, we did not venture off trail.
The "shortcut" from a different angle closer up.
Pam at the Fallen Monarch. At least the camera tried to focus in on the falling snowflakes!
