Looking for advice on going off trail from Indian Rock

[DB1]

Edited 1/11/12 to change what I mistakenly called Eagle Rock to say Indian Rock.

I'm planning a 5 night late July backpacking trip with my sons (21 and 23) this summer and we're looking to fit in as many new spots as reasonably possible. We did Sierra Point, Half Dome, and 4 mile trail in 2010, and I did Yosemite Falls trail a few years before that so we know we have an idea of what kind of shape we're going to need to be in. We're going with the intention to see the scenery and have challenging hikes, but I'm not opposed to cutting unnecessary miles. I'm looking for advice on eliminating some back tracking.

It looks like we'll be doing a similar hike to what Mclaffey mapped out in his recent message (http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/f=7&t=2007), except we'll be doing May Lake and Mt Hoffman instead of Merced Lake. After North Dome we'll be heading up to May Lake and Mt Hoffmann after a stop at the arch at Indian Rock. Looking at the maps it looks like we could save some miles by going cross country northeast from Indian Rock and pick up the trail on the other side of Snow Creek.

I thought I'd ask those of you familiar with the area to point out problems with that idea that aren't evident by looking at maps and GoogleEarth. I've attached a map showing the area. The green line would be the route if we follow established paths. The orange line northeast from Indian Rock would save about 2 miles. The purple line crossing snow creek would save 3 miles and a 500 foot decent that has to be made up after crossing the creek. I've also attached GoogleEarth pictures and elevation profiles of each short cut (the white lines). They both show some steep max slopes, but I think those may be very short and easy to navigate around.

Is there anything about those routes that would cause you to warn against them? Would we be missing any worthwhile sights, by not sticking to the green path?

Any advice is appreciated.

map1.jpg (90.89 KiB) Viewed 15444 times

Eagle Rock sm.jpg (151.19 KiB) Viewed 15494 times

Snow Creek crossing 1s.jpg (179.51 KiB) Viewed 15494 times

[balzaccom]

From what i remember about that area, there are not great views from anywhere on that trail until you get to Eagle Rock or North Dome, so as you head inland I doubt you'll be missing much in the view category.

Is your route possible? I'd say it is. But after hiking for 50 years in the Sierra, I would say that there is probably a reason the trail doesn't take the route you have outlined...and if you go cross country, you are likely to find out what it is!

And while you will save miles, I doubt you'll save much time. WE figure that our speed cross country is usually well below our speed on a trail--and often less than half as fast.

But as you say, you'll be in reasonable condition, and you have lots of time. Why not make an adventure of it?

And let us know how it goes!

[AlmostThere]

A good topo map wil probably be much more revealing than satellite photos.

I would try that only if Snow Creek is not flowing high. There is a reason they put footbridges over creeks like that. Water kills nearly as many people in Yosemite as rock related accidents do.

Look at the topo: http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=37.30075,-118.80886&z=15&t=T

Yeah, that will take longer than the trail.

[orion]

i don't know that area, but generally speaking, cross country is more interesting than the trail.

sometimes there isn't a trail there because it wasn't feasible to put one in that would meet the gradient guidelines for pack animals, but that doesn't mean it can't be easily hiked. typically, you will see cairns from folks who have gone that way before you.

[bill-e-g]

You'll get more views at yosemitenews.info

(although perhaps not as much 'advice' it appears)

Anywho... Not sure where you got "Eagle Rock" from.
Indian Rock is the rock knob at the TOP of Indian Ridge.
There is no trail TO Indian Rock. The natural Arch is NOT Indian Rock.
There is trail right to the Natural Arch.

Ok, so ... yes, you can definitely xcountry from Indian Rock NE to
the trail. Without a doubt. If you take the best path it will not
involve much shrub at all and will be pretty enjoyable.
I've come up from Snow Creek bridge towards the rock and
also went up to the rock from Porc. trail. Also have lots of shots
of the area from the Snow Creek trail from the East side of the bridge.

The other xcountry portion... as mentioned above... if you go
when Snow Creek is running very fast... you'll want to stay on
the trail... (and yes there are nice views from the trail at times)
A better xcountry route is to simply stay on the west side of
Snow Creek all the way to Tioga Road...
There's some great stuff to see along that way...

All that being said... if you are not adept at xcountry you may
not save much time. The trail is typically not the most scenic
though and is nearly always the 'easiest' way. If you haven't
been on the trail... I nearly always tell people to hike the
trail first... then come back and go crazy.

Have fun

If you want some pix... lemme know...

(I would have drawn a map and posted a bunch of pix if you would
have asked on yosemitenews.info)

[DB1]

Thanks for the advice. I don't know that I'm looking to cut time so much as just to same some walking and get off the dusty trail for a little bit and maybe add a little more adventure.

Thanks for the tip on yosemitenews.info too, I'll check it out. I think I got the name Eagle Rock from GoogleEarth but I have seen it labeled as Indian Rock other places. Now that I have Eagle Rock stuck in my head it's going to be tough to remember ro use the correct name.

I had considered following the west side of Snow Creek up to Tioga Rd, but that brings up another question. I'm planning to put in for a wilderness permit from Yosemite Falls trail, but our planned route will take us to the trailhead for the May lake Trail and then to the trailhead for Sunrise Lakes trail before heading back down into the valley at Happy Isles. I called the permit office and asked if that meant I needed additional permits for those trails and was told I don't need them as long as I stay in the wildeness and don't take any roads. I have to cross Tioga Rd twice, which I assume is ok, but apparently I can't hike from Indian Rock up the Porcupine Creek trail and then hike along Tioga Rd to the May Lake trail. If I follow the west side of Snow Creek to Tioga rd, I'm still going to need to follow the road east a little to pick up the trail to May Lake. Will I run into problems with my permit if I run across a ranger?

Thanks

[bill-e-g]

Just read your original post again... Late July... you'll be able to get over Snow Creek no problem.
When first saw your post I immediately thought you were calling Eagle Peak Eagle Rock...
thus the reason for probably trying to get the name right.
Anyway, if you do stay on the west side of Snow for some adventure... then you have a couple
of options IMO. No ranger in their right mind is gonna give you a hard time for hiking
on Tioga for that short of distance after you explain what you have done.
I wouldn't hike on Tioga then though... just use the road to cross Snow ... then jump
back into the woods... and go check out the lake just west of the road
(many people don't even know it's there) (they have a name for it.. but can't remember it now)
a small climb south and you'll be on trail again...
OR (and I've hiked the road twice now) (it opens later than Tioga)... is to just zip right up May Lake Road...
not a fun hike.. but the quickest way in... it USED to be Tioga Road... and it also continues
around and down towards the Sunrise TH... (you'll hike this old portion on your way back out of May)
(unless you go Raisin and Murphy Creek trail)
Go with option #2 there and then you need not worry at all.

Have fun

[dan]

I thought I'd ask those of you familiar with the area to point out problems with that idea that aren't evident by looking at maps and GoogleEarth. I've attached a map showing the area. The green line would be the route if we follow established paths. The orange line northeast from Eagle Rock would save about 2 miles. The purple line crossing snow creek would save 3 miles and a 500 foot decent that has to be made up after crossing the creek. I've also attached GoogleEarth pictures and elevation profiles of each short cut (the white lines). They both show some steep max slopes, but I think those may be very short and easy to navigate around.

I've hiked that area several times. I've got lost one time (and eventually found) one time early summer when the snow covered much of the trail--went down the Snow Creek drainage instead of Lehamite Creek drainage from Porcupine Flat.

The area is heavily forested with much dead wood and obstacles. I don't think you'll save any time going cross country. No you won't be missing anything by taking the short cuts.

North Dome and the natural arch about a mile north of it are not to be missed. I like camping where Lehamite Creek crosses the North Rim trail (not shown on your map). Giant boulder next to the trail and creek for food storage (I climb up the rock on someones shoulders to place and retrieve the food).

Also Lehamite Falls is about a mile south of the North Rim Trail/Lehamite Creek junction. It's a tiny waterfall and not big or famous but rarely seen.

Bears frequent the area. I saw a mother and cub romping around one time when I was taking a solar shower. They weren't interested in me, thankfully.

[bill-e-g]

You can see Lehamite right from the valley floor... but the best view I have seen is from Indian Canyon itself.
Have yet to explore it from above though.

Anyway, w/r to the food storage... there is no need to use anything other than the bear can you
are required to have to store your food. They will tell you to place the can 100 ft. away from where you
sleep. Really problem bears may come and push the can around... but I sleep with my canister
within arms reach... wake up... and have breakfast... bears will not be an issue since you WILL
be using a bear canister... Thre is no need to worry about the bears...

Have fun

[DB1]

... and go check out the lake just west of the road
(many people don't even know it's there) (they have a name for it.. but can't remember it now)

There are a couple pictures of it on Google Earth. It looks like it's called Siesta Lake.

I think the trip up Snow Creek sounds like what we're looking for. That time of the year we're looking at long days so I don't mind if it's slow going.

Thanks to everyone for the advice and the ideas for side trips. Keep them coming if you think of other cool things to see.

[bill-e-g]

... and go check out the lake just west of the road
(many people don't even know it's there) (they have a name for it.. but can't remember it now)

There are a couple pictures of it on Google Earth. It looks like it's called Siesta Lake.

And there is the unfortunate thing about Google Earth Panoramio. A quite ridiculous number
of photos are just not in the correct location or labeled wrong. Go to Indian Rock.
Yes, that is Indian Rock location... but everyone put the photo of the Arch right there...
It's not right there.. It's lower down Indian Ridge.
Siesta Lake is much further to the west. West of Yosemite Creek, Lukens, and White Wolf.
There are some photos of it that are correctly located.
I gave up long ago posting photos on Panoramio. It's almost futile.

Looked it up... I'm fairly certain that that is Weston Pond. But I doubt you'll find many
references to it.
Anyway, have a good time.