Yosemite Forum

by **Dave Miller** » Tue May 19, 2009 12:10 pm

Has anyone heard an update on the Pohono Trail from Glacier to Tunnel View or Crocker Point? I'm headed out that way this weekend and looking to see what I can expect. I know there will be areas of snow, but I'm mainly concerned about the trail conditions. I'm also curious as to Sentinel Creek and whether I'll have an issue crossing it. I've only been that way in the Fall and don't know what it is like during the spring.

Thanks for your help!

Dave Miller

by **bill-e-g** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:56 am

There will be logs across Sentinel. I wouldn't worry about it.
I'd be shocked if the log across the creek that I've crossed it on
is not still there.
Just be really careful if it is wet ...

by **Dave Miller** » Wed May 20, 2009 8:32 am

Thanks Bill for the heads up. I am amazed at your knowledge of all the trails and areas in Yosemite. I truly appreciate you sharing that knowledge with others too.

Thanks a bunch.

-dave
www.baoutdoors.com

by **bill-e-g** » Wed May 20, 2009 10:37 am

I guess worst case scenario would be you get to the creek and say 'no way'.
I'd just have the contingency plan in my head to hike back up and
around Sentinel Dome to cross the creek higher going towards
the Taft Pt. TH.
You won't miss much of the Pohono Trail if you do that.
The best lookout around Sentinel Creek is west of the creek itself anyway.
Be sure to explore a little bit there...

Have fun

by **AlmostThere** » Wed May 20, 2009 4:33 pm

Sentinel is crossable, was there last weekend. But some backpackers mentioned Bridalveil was thigh deep. Take poles for stability. There's patchy snow but lots of footprints - take care to follow the right ones, tho, I got a bit off trail once following someone else's prints but it's easy to get back on track.

by **bill-e-g** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:42 pm

Huh? Bridalveil has a bridge.

by **AlmostThere** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:45 pm

bill-e-g wrote:Huh? Bridalveil has a bridge.

Maybe the backpackers were bushwhacking or something, they were on a different trail, or maybe the bridge is washed out? I don't know, third hand info. They might also have been confusing one stream for another....

by **bill-e-g** » Wed May 20, 2009 5:52 pm

Maybe they went to Ostrander and started wrong and had to cross Bridalveil.
No way the bridge washed out on the Pohono Trail...
ok.. I would bet alot of money that it's not washed out..

by **Dave Miller** » Thu May 21, 2009 7:13 am

Thanks guys for the additional info. I'm counting on the bridge over Bridalveil being there! :lol:

Thanks again!

by **Dave Miller** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:26 pm

Well, we hiked the entire Pohono Trail over the weekend. What a great trip. The trail was in pretty good condition with very little snow and not too much dead fall. All the creeks were passable and we didn't run into as many people as expected. In fact, we saw no one else on the trail on Monday until we were below Inspiration Point. What a gem!

by **bill-e-g** » Wed May 27, 2009 1:37 pm

Cool. I was on the other side of the valley... Eagle Peak.
Knew you were over on the Pohono. I'm amazed you didn't see
anyone else with GP road being open and all. I've done that trip
when GP road is closed to ensure that noone is around.
Looks like I can do it almost anytime!

by **Dave Miller** » Wed May 27, 2009 2:01 pm

Bill, I was probably looking over at you half the time. We ended up stretching the trip to 3 days so we camped overnight at Dewey the second night. The new moon provided ample photographic opportunities.
http://davemiller.smugmug.com/gallery/8 ... 6PJ#P-1-15

In your travels, did you go north much? I was wondering what the trail from Porcupine creek was like. I ended up at Pohono because I was concerned about the snow. We were going to take your suggestion and do Lake Eleanor, but the permits were there for Pohono and I can't stay away from the valley, even with the crowds. Even though we didn't see anyone on Monday, we ran into a handful Saturday and Sunday. Mostly at Taft and Dewey. But it wasn't too bad. It was fun watching all the tail lights slowly moving out on 120 and 140 Sunday night from Dewey. Poor souls!

We couldn't have picked a better weekend. Hope yours was as enjoyable as ours.

by **bill-e-g** » Thu May 28, 2009 3:56 pm

Porc. Creek will be very busy in the summer since it is the easiest
way to North Dome. There will be alot of dayhikers going to
North Dome from that trailhead.

A real favorite of mine is to park s. of the Porc. Creek campground
and xcountry-ish over to the North Dome trail... hit ND ... hike over
to Yose Falls and then up Yose Creek and take the Old Tioga Rd.
back to the car.

Just be fore-warned... the Old Tioga Rd. is NOT MAINTAINED AT ALL.
So if you won't like xcountry and climbing over trees and searching
maybe a bit for the "trail"... then it's not for you.
It's not terrible IMO... but ... you've been warned.
THE WORST TRAIL in the Park is the North MOUNTAIN "trail".
For some reason they don't maintain that either... haven't for
many many many years. If you ever go on that baby...
expect to climb over a good 100 or so logs (no kidding)!

Def. do North Dome and Indian Arch... and over to Yose Falls and Pt.
You'll Love that...

by **Dave Miller** » Thu May 28, 2009 4:56 pm

Bill,
I'll have a look at those areas. North Dome and the surrounding area is definitely on the top of my list for my next Yosemite Adventure. I just wish I lived closer.

Thanks again for all your advice.

by **oakroscoe** » Fri May 29, 2009 2:38 am

Dave, thanks for the update and linking us to your pics. Those pictures were amazing. Fantastic shots. What kind of camera are you using?

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