Yosemite: Tenaya Creek

[Tony Wong]

Yosemite: Tenaya Creek to Pywiack Cascade
June 2007 Family Camping Trip
South of Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake

Wilderness Press Topo Map:
Yosemite National Park & Vicinity
Grid E-4

Hwy 120 Old Tioga Road
Trail Head Somewhere Near Olmsted Point
Going off trail from the parking lot after 0.5 Miles
Basically following the Creek Down

Just before Decending Down in to the Valley

Decenting into the Bowl
Bottom of this Bowl is used as a swimming hole by the locals
On the way out we saw some 15 to 20 high school students heading down, ice chest full of cold drinks in hand

Big Sky, Steep Slope

Sierra Water Slide

The Family & Four Year Old

Camping Along Tenaya Creek
Eat Alive by the Mosquitoes
Really Wish We had Headnets
Many Standing Pools of Water for the Mosquitoes to Breed In
Plenty of Dead Wood on the Ground for Fires

Bob Using Steripen
Cool, cold Water Plentiful and Close By

Eastern View from Camp

Desperate Measures to Escape the Bugs
Mesh Storage Bag for Pots as Headnet

Lunch Time on the Rocks
Rain Gear Draped over legs to protect from Bugs

Beating the Heat, Laying in Ice Cold Water
Location was down stream from our campsite
Swimming Hole and a Bit of Breeze for Relief from Bugs

Swimming Hole

Heading South, Down Stream for a Day Hike

The Path Opens Up
Much of the Creek is lined with Large Rocks or Patches of Dense Brush
Lots of Rock Hopping

Water & Snack Break
As we ventured further down the Creek, the winds kicked up providing a welcome relief from the mosquitoes

End of the Tenaya Creek at Pywiack Cascade
Viewing the East Side of Half Dome from End of the Valley
The Pywiack Cascade is a Sheer Drop Down with no way to climb up or down without Climbing Gear

Half Dome & Yosemite Valley

Heading Back up Stream

10 Yr Old Mountain Man

Super Troopers
No Whining Despite the Numerous Mosquito Bites

Hiking Up out of the Valley

Tony Kicking Back at the End

IF YOU HAVE ANY PHOTOS FROM TRIPS THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN IN THIS AREA, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST THEM UP ON THIS THREAD…THEY ARE MUCH APPRECIATED!

[Ken Helwig]

Tony, does that creek run out of Tenaya Lake? I am just wondering where to locate this of Hwy 120. Also, does the creek run along where Clouds Rest would be or is the drop off before that. Just wondering, I want to go there. Looks like a real nice place to do some easy cross country and to hit some nice pools to swim!

[Tony Wong]

Ken,

The Creek is following from the Tenaya Creek.

I spoke to my friend, who took us there.

He says that you are at the Trail Head to Sunrise Lakes…parking lot for Tenaya Lake.

You will not take the trail for Sunrise Lakes.

You travel part of the trail and then leave the trail, going around a meadow til you get to expanses of granite.

At that point, find the Creek and follow it down.

Which I had something more specific for you.

Hope that helps.

-Tony

[Ken Helwig]

actually Tony I have been on that trail and I think I know where you are talking about where you split to go cross country. Great photos! It totally inspired me to go there. Was on Clouds Rest a few years ago and looked down that same area that you guys were looking down towards Half Dome. Now it's time to get my map. Thank you!

[Tony Wong]

Ken,

Enjoy your trip down there and bring a headnet.

I found that there was a lot of dry, termite eaten wood on the ground that was easy to light up.

Did not see any large animals at all, a few fat marmots. :)

The only part that you have to be careful about is crossing the water on the photo titled Sierra Water Slide.

The water was not deep, but it was slick there and falling could mean a long painful slide down.

At the bottom of the slide/bowl, where the kids were using it as a swimming hole, you may have to get your feet wet or wack your way around the brush to get around to the other side.

Bottom of that bowl you head to the right.

You probably want to stay on the right/West side of the Creek.

The West side had more land between the Creek and the Valley walls for you to hike and make camp.

Careful at the Cascade, it is very windy there.

Hold on to your hat and don't get blow off the edge!

When you get back, post up a trip report to let me know what it is like there.

I might take the family back there this year.

-Tony

[Ken Helwig]

Thanks for the info, I will be using it!!!

[Tony Wong]

Just wanted to share.

Someone asked me what is the distance to the Cascade with the view of Half Dome.

The distance from trail head to the campsite you see is about 4 miles and was easy enough for my 4 year old to do.

From the campsite to the Cascade is between 1 to 2 miles.

The three of us set out late after lunch with only a little water and a energy bar.

It did not take long, but you might want to bring a wind shirt.

It got windy at the end.

-Tony

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