Adventure 008, Hike 018 - Waterwheel Falls

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 018 – Waterwheel Falls

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  June 20, 2012

Location: Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne

Hike Info:

Trail: Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne

Distance: 9.5

Duration: 4:35

Elevation Rise: 1,500'

Description:
At 9:30, we take off on the Tour de Falls. And what a tour it is! First, we see more of the White Cascade than we did last night. It is even more spectacular than what we saw. We cross another footbridge and come to the junction of the PCT, Glen Aulin and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne trails. It is 3.3 miles to the top of Waterwheel Falls and a drop of 1,200' from this junction. But what a glorious drop. We first see Cataract Falls. This is a small one, but it is nice, with a lot of water flowing.



We then hit a flat area for the next mile and a half. Marmot, Jays, Crows, Woodpeckers, butterflies, all inhabit this area. Thing Two is carrying the pack down. We get to the top of the next drop and we see the long cataract of water flowing down. Slick rock—probably over a ¼ mile in length. And as you travel down California Falls, you get the feeling of power and largeness. We eat lunch at the base of this falls, enjoying seeing the water rush by.

Quickly the water slows downs and widens into some pools. The next set of cascades do not have a name, but they should. But Thing One muses if you have that much falling water it should have a name, but we guess that not everything can have a name. We walk on enjoying the wonder.

The third set of falls, and they are sets. They do not have straight drops but cascade down or slide. LeConte Falls has ruffles. So as the water slides down, it is forced back up into the air, creating these large waves. We are fascinated for the longest time.

At the bottom of these falls, we hit a bit of flat ground for a little ways. It is fascinating that above each fall there is a place of calm waters. And then it goes over the side. For as much as Thing One has been looking forward to Waterwheel Falls, they are a bit of a disappointment. Especially after what we have seen today. These are not up to expectations—still they are wondrous.



We do not go very far down. We decide that as it is 1:30 and we need to head back up the 1,400' drop we just walked down. We have a second look at Waterwheel Falls, then start up. It is hot and a good climb. But then, there are many stopping points, both to rest and gawk. Going up has its own unique eye-candy. For example, when we reach the top of Cataract Falls, for the first time we can appreciate the White Cascade. It is a lot more appealing. Then when we have seen it before. Reminds you of a miniature Nevada and Vernal Falls. We get back to camp before 5:30.