Yosemite Firefall 2016

Natural Firefall in Yosemite Valley on February 24, 2016. About two weeks in late February, when the right conditions come together, the sunset light hits El Capitan’s Horsetail Fall at perfect angle. As a result, the waterfall is illuminated glowing like a fire-fall.

2016 February presented a perfect condition for the firefall, with enough snow and water for Horsetail fall, thanks to El Nino, and the weather was favorable for the firefall to occur.

2019 February may bring another great opportunity for Firefall due to the significant amount of the rainfall and snow received this winter.

Video by Lifeisamt

Hike up Mount Dana (13,061') 8/15/2017 - Yosemite National Park, CA

August 15, 2007

Mount Dana 13,061' is the second highest peak in Yosemite after Mount Lyell (13,120'). The trail reaches the summit in 2.6 miles. It's relatively a short hike; however, the journey to scale Dana is challenging due to high altitude climbing up to over 13,000'. So, pace yourself as you go.  

There's no trailhead sign for this hike. The trail starts right behind the staff parking area ("Authorized Vehicles Only") across the road from Tioga Pass East Entrance of Yosemite NP. The trail is in good shape over all. The first mile is loaded with wildflowers, wow! Their display is quite impressive. 

The trail climbs steeply after meadows with lakes and flowers. Soon the forest thins out and steep rocky terrain begins. Enjoy views as you go. There's a short snowfield to cross around 11,600', but not difficult to traverse. The last 700' to the summit gets tough with the trail climbing up the steep slope of scree and talus rock above 1,2000'. Follow cairns as you go.  

Although the journey started out with blue skies and broken clouds, by the time when I reached the top, clouds rolled in covering the west side of the mountain while the east side remained clear. Hence, there was no view to the west, but the view to the east was spectacular with Mono Lake, Dana plateau/glaciers and beyond. Although the western views were blocked with the clouds, it actually created such a surreal beauty surrounding the summit. It was worth the effort. 

Big mountains like Dana make their own weather. Keep an eye on cloud formations for whiteout and thunderstorms. Mountain weather can change very quickly. Stay vigilant as you go. Happy hiking! ;)

 Video by Lifeisamt

Round Top Peak Via PCT Winnemucca Lake - Carson Pass, CA

7/12/2017

Pristine alpine lakes, creeks, lush valley, forest and mountain views with displays of colorful summer's wildflowers, wow! This hike has it all. Amazing hike to Round Top Peak with gorgeous views and wildflowers via PCT - Winnemucca Lake from Carson Pass. As of July 12, the first mile or so from Carson Pass trailhead is snow free, and thereafter patches and fields of snow still remain here and there along the trail. The route to Round Top Lake and Round Top Peak is still under snow/2 - 3 feet deep. The saddle to the summit is snow free.

Wildflowers galore!....Tahoe mule ears, paintbrush, lupine....just name a few.  Many wildflowers are blooming along the trail, particularly by Winnemucca Lake. Also, around Frog Lake. 

Round Top Peak (10,381') is one of the three prominent peaks above 10,000 feet in Lake Tahoe region. The other two are Freel Peak(10,881') and Mt. Rose (10,776'). The easiest approach to summit is from the west ridge and Class 2 scrambling to the top. The route to the saddle is steep and still snow covered and slushy/slippery, so hiking poles and micro-spikes are useful if you aim to summit anytime soon. Enjoy sweeping views from the top in all directions! Be careful at the top as the summit is small and narrow.

Carson Pass was a historic pass during the California Gold Rush and PCT traverses the pass. Carson Pass also has a California Historical Landmark (#315) where Kit Carson carved his name on a tree. Kit Carson was a guide to lead the 1844 Fremont Expedition.

There were quite a few PCT thru hikers seen on trail traveling north. Wish them safe journey and good luck!

Carson Pass Information Center at trailhead....stop by for update info, permit, fees. The staff are very helpful.

Video by Lifeisamt

Hike up Ralston Peak 6/30/2017 - Desolation Wilderness, CA

June 30, 2017

Wow! Amazing hike with spectacular vistas in all directions....Desolation Wilderness, surrounding peaks and alpine lakes, Lake Tahoe and many other peaks of northern High Sierra as far as you can see! It's a strenuous hike with high altitudes/9,200', gaining 2,800' in 3 - 4 miles depending on routes. But, the reward at the summit blows you away! Two thumbs up!!

The trail is mostly dry and in good condition with one blowdown (minor). As of June 31, there are some snow fields to cross between 8,300' and 9,000', but nothing to worry about as they are easy to cross. (Water proof boots recommended, however.) Most of the snow along the trail will probably melt away in a week or so.

Looking down from high above, the core zone of Desolation Wilderness still looks covered with ice and snow where Tamarack Lake, Ralston Lake, Lake of the Woods and Lake Aloha are.

Be safe out there and enjoy the hike!

 

 

Video by Lifeisamt

Shadow Lake via Agnew Meadows - Mammoth Lakes, CA

October 13, 2016

Distance: 8.5 miles RT

Elevation gain: 750 feet

Fall color hiking. Shadow Lake in High Sierra's Mammoth Lakes where John Muir Trail traverses Ansel Adams Wilderness. Fall colors are beautiful with mountains, lakes, rivers and.....the "range of light"(John Muir). You can also continue to hike into Ediza Lake (14 miles RT).  This is a beautiful hike with deep forest, rock and bolder formations and water falls all along the trail. With moderate effort, the reward you get is a breathtaking backdrop of Mount Ritter and Banner Peak above Shadow Lake.

 

Mt. Hoffman via May Lake - Yosemite National Park, CA

October 11, 2016

Distance:  2.5 miles RT to May Lake; 6 miles RT to Mt. Hoffmann 
Trailhead:  May Lake High Sierra Camp/8,710 feet  

Elevation Gain:  500 ft to May Lake/9,270 ft; 2,000 ft to Mt. Hoffman/10,845 ft 

Summit Mt. Hoffman via May Lake in Yosemite's high country along Tioga Road. Great 360 views from the top. Mt. Hoffman looms as Yosemite's geographical center. Hiking to May Lake is straight forward and easy, but the journey from the lake to Mt. Hoffman is moderate to advance as the trail gains elevation steeply and requires route finding skills part of the way while the route becomes rocky and sandy.  Follow cairns to stay on track.  The reward is worth the effort when you see the breathtaking views from the top....360 panorama of Yosemite's High Sierra ranges and May Lake's crystal blue water. Bring enough water to stay hydrated if you do this hike in summer.

Bayview Trail (Granite Lake/Maggies Peaks/Dicks Lake) - Desolation Wilderness, CA 8/7/2016

Trailhead -Bayview Trail

Moderately strenuous hike

10 miles RT

1,700' elevation gain 

This is a great hike to experience Desolation Wilderness with spectacular views.  Maggies Peaks are one of the gateways to Desolation Wilderness. There is no official trail going up to Maggies Peaks from the main trail/Bayview Trail, but you can follow boot tracks to the peaks once you reach the saddle and aim to climb towards the top.  Keep "minimum impact" in mind, however, and not to trek over and damage vegetation. Maggies south peak offers a fantastic panoramic view of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake, Fallen Leaf Lake and South Lake Tahoe with surrounding Tahoe rim and Carson range peaks - Mt. Tallac, Freel Peak, Jobs Peaks, Mt. Rose and more.  From Maggies north peak, you can peek into the remote alpine environment of Desolation Wilderness.

I continued the journey to Dicks Lake from Maggies Peaks via Bayview Trail and took the same route back to the trailhead.  You can take side trip options for Velma Lake and/or Eagle Lake en route to/from Dicks Lake, which will add extra distance and time to the journey.

Lake Ann/Mt Shuksan - Mt. Baker, WA

No dinosaur sightings! And yet, the hike of Lake Ann trail somewhat offers a rendering of Jurassic Park/The Lord of the Rings as described in WTA's description last week. 

Lake Ann was one of the hikes on my bucket list ever since I started hiking Mt. Baker area and encountered the alpine beauty of Mt. Shuksan. I am glad I finally made it to Lake Ann. 

The trailhead is located at a paved parking lot just below Artist Point and the tail is well maintained all the way to the lake. The hike starts descending through a forest down to an alpine meadow. The trail traverses a creek and there is a sign which says Swift Creek. Enjoy a spectacular view of Mt. Shuksan as you hike through the meadow and boulder fields.

Leaving the basin, the trail starts to ascend to the saddle up toward Mt. Shuksan. The route is a little rocky, but well maintained. As you ascend, look back to capture grand vistas of Artist Point, Table Mountain and Mt. Baker. Keep ascending the trail along talus rocks with the meadow and boulder basin behind, you finally reach the top of the saddle where Lake Ann comes into sight in just a short distance. The lake is quietly tucked in behind the saddle. 

Hike down the trail to a T where the trail splits. To your right is to Lake Ann, or go left to lead you on to Chimney Fisher climbing route. Before you decide which way you want to go, take in the breathtaking views of Mount Shuksan, Fisher Chimney, Curtiss Glacier and Lake Ann. Facing the massive rock with glaciers and water falls streaking down, with a little imagination's help you may feel like standing in the landscape of Jurassic Park or The Lord of the Rings. 

I continued to trek along the Chimney Fisher climbing route up to where scrambling begins. Eventually, you enter North Cascades National Park. As you continue the climbing route, Baker Lake can be seen in distance to your right, and soon the route begins to gain elevation in switchbacks toward Lower Curtiss Glacier. The up-close view of Curtiss Glacier is stunning in just a couple hundred feet away. As you descend the route to return to Lake Ann, Mt. Baker and Lake Ann come into sight. 

Ripe berries were sweet and perfect to quench my thirst along the hike.