Winter 2012 in the Sierra

[Paul Wagner]

Just back from a few days on the trail in Yosemite and the Carson Iceberg Wilderness. It was pretty amazing. Temps in the 50's and even 60's during the day, and dropping down to only about 30 at night. Trails were open, creeks were running (sometimes under ice, but still, there was water everywhere) and we had three really good days in the Sierra.

Carson-Iceberg: we went to Boulder Lake—four miles in off the Clark Fork trailhead. The lake itself was frozen just about solid, except for a small section on the north shore where the ground was a nice dark brown, which got warm enough to heat the water and melt it.

[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1X7sDdpATyU/Tv3pmvX1gsI/AAAAAAAAV_0/Xnbv1gc3B3Y/s512/IMG_5051.JPG[/img]

By the way, you don't need a permit this time of year there—but they do ask that you stop in and let them know where you are going to leave your car, so that they can notify the CHP. That way nobody gets unnecessarily alarmed. And they leave the paperwork outside for you, if you get there after they are closed. Nice huh?

In Yosemite we dayhiked to a couple of spots that had been recommended on some Yosemite boards–the foot of Illilouette Falls. Here's M enjoying the view of the backside of half Dome…

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i60ibZN1MCM/Tv3p2F51saI/AAAAAAAAWDU/tP3haE1TMY0/s512/IMG_5078.JPG[/img]

And the up the south wall to Ribbon Falls.

[img]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a_KO3volBX4/Tv3qDmR4yEI/AAAAAAAAWGs/bXIA2WYCmvc/s512/IMG_5102.JPG[/img]

Both were great hikes, great adventures, and a great way to get away from the crowds in Yosemite Valley.

Yes, there are more photos, since the ones on this post won't load for some reason:

https://picasaweb.google.com/balzaccom/EmigrantAndYosemite2011Christmas#

And we wrapped things up at our 34th anniversary dinner at the Yosemite Lodge, complete with a bottle of 1999 Pommard. yum. I must be one of the luckiest people on Earth to have a wife who likes this stuff as much as I do!

Hope you all had happy holidays…and that 2012 is the best year yet.

[Bob Gross]

Something is turned around. Ribbon Falls is on the north wall of Yosemite Valley, not the south wall.

–B.G.–

[Paul Wagner]

Ha! You're right. South FACING wall. grin.

[Author]

Posts