Tioga Pass to Yosemite Valley

29 June 2010

The original plan: Ride on Monday from Lee Vining to Tuolumne Meadows (20 miles, 3100 feet of climbing up Tioga Pass) and then on Tuesday ride from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley (58 miles, 2800 feet of climbing) where we would spend two nights at Yosemite Lodge.



A wrench was thrown into the works when Alison learned that the Tuolumne Lodge wouldn't be open in time for our visit (it is only operated in the summer season). So, she arranged a backup plan, whereby we would ride 30 miles on Monday to Olmstead Point and then travel by bus to the valley where we would spend one night at Curry Village before moving over to Yosemite Lodge. (Yosemite is ultra popular and arranging accommodations for a group is a great challenge!)



A few people decided to ride the whole way and left Lee Vining about 6 AM to have enough time. I was tempted, but Ingrid wasn't so we left at 7:30 for the long slog up Tioga Road to the pass at 9950 feet. We stopped at the Tioga Pass Resort for a second breakfast. The weather was spectacular. We got a report that the lead group was finding the riding to be fine. I was tempted again and decided "let's go for it!" Ingrid was still reluctant, so we rode together until mile 28 at Tenaya Lake and then, at about 12:30, I headed off on my own. I pushed hard for the rest of the ride and made it to the Visitors Center in the valley by about 4:30.



Riding in Yosemite (outside the valley) has advantages and disadvantages. Of course, the scenery is phenomenal. The weather yesterday was very nice -- clear blue sky, too warm in the valley, but great (probably in the high 70s) in the high elevations where I spent most of my time. The traffic doesn't go too fast (45 mph speed limit and many people travel more slowly than that). The big downsides: narrow or no shoulder to ride on in many places and a very rough road surface over long stretches. On the uphills, these aren't usually big problems; the cyclist hugs the right edge of the road and is traveling so slowly that vehicles can easily pass. On the downhills, when I can travel 25-35 mph, I move to the center of the lane and keep an eye on traffic behind me. When someone approaches, I wait until it is safe for them to pass and then I slow down (to 15-20 mph) and pull over to the right edge of the lane. The process works although on most long days there is usually a scary moment or two.



This morning, after breakfast, Ingrid and I decided to give our bikes a rest and go for a hike. Starting at Happy Isles, we climbed the Mist Trail (see top photo) to the top of Vernal Falls. We then continued on the north side of the river to the top of Nevada Falls, crossed over a bridge above the falls, and then followed a piece of the John Muir trail on the south wall down to Vernal Falls where we again picked up the Mist Trail for the final descent.



It was a beautiful hike with crystal blue skies, warm weather, and (at least for the morning) light crowds.



Photos:
Top: Mist Trail
2nd: Tioga Road from about 2/3 the way up the climb
3rd: Ellery Lake, the first landmark after the crest of the steep climb up Tioga Road
4th: Tuolumne Meadows had a lot of snow this year!
5th: Half Dome (of course) from the valley floor
6th: View from the top of Nevada Falls
7th: Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls from the John Muir Trail
Bottom: Looking down on Vernal Falls from the John Muir Trail