Capture Calif

Capture California

What is a YOLT? Well, you may have heard the term YOLO. Gary and Sherri think we can live again, not as James Bond, but as being reborn. Consequently, we are having fun in our life, after all, You Only Live Twice.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Adventure 005, Hike 011 – Deer Camp Loop and Return to Car

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 011 – Deer Camp Loop and Return to Car
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 31, 2013
Location: Wawona, Yosemite
Hike Info:
Trail: Deer Camp Loop (different hike) and Return trip to Car (repeat of May 30th)
Distance: 11.34 miles
Duration: 4:59Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,302'


Description:
This area of Yosemite is pleasant, not spectacular. So we did not take pictures of noteworthy importance—you can tell that from the lack of pictures on our blog. Even so, Sherri and I enjoyed our 11+ mile day.

Adventure 009, Bridge 006 – The New Wawona Bridge

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 009, Bridge 006 – The New Wawona Bridge
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 31, 2013
Location: Wawona
Description:
The day is getting old, the body is tired and the heat feels unbearable. But low and behold, a bridge comes before us! It is the new Wawona bridge across the South Fork of the Merced River. This newly erected bridge, at least new by the Wawona Covered Bridge standards, provides the entrance way into Southern Yosemite for those coming up Highway 41, also known as the Wawona Road, north of Fresno. There is a pedestrian walkway on the eastern side of the road. With the river flowing beneath you, even the sun is bearable.



Like was said earlier, this is the new Wawona Bridge. The National Park Service replaced the older bridge a few years ago. The original bridge was constructed in 1931, then destroyed in a flood and rebuilt in 1938. This bridge was deemed critically deficient in 1992. After a series of court issues, it was replaced in the late 2000's. For more information, see the NPS site.












Adventure 009, Bridge 005 – Wawona Covered Bridge

Gary Entering the Wawona Covered Bridge
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 009, Bridge 005 – Wawona Covered Bridge
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 31, 2013
Location: Wawona, Pioneer Yosemite History Center
Description:
Coming back from a backpack trip, we stopped in Wawona for a few minutes. We then remembered the two bridges in Wawona. The first is the main bridge which is in use, which guides traffic along Highway 41. But the truly “stop-and-look-at” bridge is the old Wawona Covered Bridge. It is part of the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. Occasionally a horse drawn wagon will still cross this bridge, but none today. We were the only ones here, except for one lady. It gives you time to hear the river running under the bridge, the waters reverberating amongst the rafters.

Adventure: 003, Site 003-Wawona Covered Bridge

Gary entering the covered bridge at Wawona
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 003, Site 003-Wawona Covered Bridge

National Registry ID: 6001261

Team: YOLT
Date:  May 31, 2013
Location:
Coordinates: 37°32'18" N, 119°39'34" W
Address: Wawona

Description:
Date Built: 1857
Architect: Galen Clark

Coming back from a backpack trip, we stopped in Wawona for a few minutes. We then remembered the two bridges in Wawona. The first is the main bridge which is in use, which guides traffic along Highway 41. But the truly “stop-and-look-at” bridge is the old Wawona Covered Bridge. It is part of the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. Occasionally a horse drawn wagon will still cross this bridge, but none today. We were the only ones here, except for one lady. It gives you time to hear the river running under the bridge, the sound of the waters reverberating amongst the rafters.







All Yosemite-bound traffic through here crossed the bridge. The deck and truss portion of this bridge across the South Fork of the Merced River was built around 1857 by settler Galen Clark, who established a tourist facility here. The area was then called Clark’s Station. Clark’s role as one of the original conservationists and innkeepers places him in one of the earliest chapters of Yosemite’s history. After Abraham Lincoln signed legislation in 1864 protecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias by creating the Yosemite Grant, Clark was appointed the Guardian of the Grant.
The road from Wawona to the Yosemite Valley opened in 1875 just after the Washburn brothers purchased Clark’s land along the river. The brothers, who were from Vermont, covered the bridge in 1879. Although the large beams were hand-hewn with ax and saws, the lumber to cover the bridge was cut locally at the Washburn’s sawmill. Specialty axes were used to hew round logs into square timbers and mortise and tenon joints were used to join the timbers. Bridges were covered primarily to protect the large wood truss beams and flooring from the weather. It is much easier to re-shingle a roof than to replace the major supporting structures. The covering also helped horses stay focused on the road rather than the sometimes raging river in spring. Did the Washburn brothers cover the bridge exclusively for practical reasons? Maybe so. But a granddaughter claims the reason was nostalgia — they were homesick for a bit of New England.



The bridge was used until 1931 when the Wawona Road was rerouted west to a modern concrete bridge (which, in turn, has been replaced after damage from the 1997 floods). A flood in 1955 nearly destroyed the covered bridge. Its 1957 restoration was the first step in the creation of the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. Glenn Gordo, master craftsman and builder from Mariposa and grandson of a pioneering Portuguese couple, along with his crew, were recruited after the flood to restore the bridge. (PYHCOT)













References:



Overall Landmark References:

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Adventure 005, Hike 010 – Alder Creek

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 010 – Alder Creek
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 30, 2013
Location: Wawona, Yosemite
Hike Info:
Trail: Alder Creek
Distance: 8.19 miles
Duration: 4:09 Moving
Elevation Rise: 2,163'


Description:
One of our favorite early season hikes. The falls on Alder Creek are first rate, even though this year, they are not as full as they usually are. Nice afternoon hike. See our blog for more info.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 009 – Nelder Grove

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 009 – Nelder Grove
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 29, 2013
Location: Nelder Grove, above Oakhurst
Hike Info:
Trail: Bull Buck Loop Trail, Nelder Grove Trail, Trail of the Sequoias
Distance: 7.91 miles
Duration: 4:36
Elevation Rise: 1,430'


Description:
Enjoyable hike, with lots of people, some new to me and some people whom I have enjoyed hiking with before. For a description of the hike, see our blog.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Adventure 047 – Watch a Lizard

Lizards and Flag
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 047 – Watch a Lizard
Team: YOLT
Date: May 26, 2013
Location: Paradise Valley
Description:
Where there are lizards, there are snakes. But this year, we saw no snakes, just a lot of lizards. The bad thing about lizards, is that they are fast and camaflouge well, so it is hard to get a good picture of them.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Adventure: 009, Bridge 004 – Bailey Bridge across the South Fork of the Kings River

Sherri entering the bridge

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 009, Bridge 004 – Bailey Bridge across the South Fork of the Kings River
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 24, 2013
Location: Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon
Description:
Bailey Bridge across the South Fork of the Kings




So lets start in with the obvious question, Who is the Bailey Bridge named after? It is not named after a person, but it is a type of bridge. Leading up to World War II, the mechanized divisions of the army were getting heavier and heavier. The old style of temporary bridge replacement could not hold up to these machines. Along came a guy named Donald Bailey and figured out a way to build a strong bridge. Which can quickly be installed, even without a lot of heavy equipment. During WW II, Bailey bridges were erected in all sorts of situations, thwarting German intentions of blowing up bridges. As quickly as a bridge was blown up, a Bailey bridge was put in place. The Army still uses these types of bridges. It has even been suggested as a temporary replacement of the Washington bridge along I-5 which collapsed this year.
When the Kings River wiped out the old bridge a decade or two ago, the National park Service was in a pickle. They needed a cheap way to install a bridge. It would quickly be needed as hiking season was on them. Please they could not bring in heavy machinery. What did they turn to? A Bailey Bridge. They raised up the entrance to the bridge and constructed it, about as quickly as the government could work. So we have a bridge, probably about 150' or so long, anchored by a large boulder in the middle and safe for people like us to walk across.


Adventure: 005, Hike 008 – Return to Roads End via South Trail


Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 008 – Return to Roads End via South Trail
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 24, 2013
Location: Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon
Hike Info:
Trail: Upper Paradise Valley to Roads End via the South Trail
Distance: 11.10 miles
Duration: 5:49 Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,013'


Description:
Nothing like returning back to the car after three days. But even better yet was going back by a little bit different route and enjoying it more. Want to read more? Look at our blog.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Adventure 005, Hike 007 – Woods Creek


Gary at JMT
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 007 – Woods Creek
Sherri admiring Woods Creek
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 23, 2013
Location: Woods Creek, Kings Canyon
Hike Info:
Trail: Woods Creek
Distance: 11.46 miles
Duration: 6:27
Elevation Rise: 2,622



Description:
This is the second leg of the Rae Lakes Loop. I would argue that it is the least enjoyable of the five days of the loop. Still, that said, if this hike was almost anyplace else, you would get a crowd of people. As it was, we had the trail almost to ourselves, since this was an early season hike. For more, see our blog.






Adventure 009, Bridge 002 – South Fork of the Kings River at Woods Creek


Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 009, Bridge 002 – South Fork of the Kings River at Woods Creek
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 23, 2013
Location: South Fork of the Kings River at Woods Creek

Description:
Before 2005, the way which the trail crossed this river was on a large log. Back in 2009, when we did the Rae Lakes Loop, there was a crew putting the finishing touches on a bridge. We were so glad that we could cross on a bridge, rather walking a log, or worse, fording this river.



 




Adventure 009, Bridge 003 – Golden Gate of the JMT

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 009, Bridge 003 – Golden Gate of the JMT
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 23, 2013
Location: John Muir Trail at Woods Creek
Description:
This is a bridge which strikes fear in the heart of most backpackers. It sways! It groans! It bounces! Its narrow! You see the rushing waters below your feet. A sign says: “One Person At A Time”. And yet, it is a lot better than what was there before. If you were lucky, you found boulders to go across. Most of the time you crossed barefoot in freezing water. So the Golden Gate of the John Muir Trail was constructed, to scare the daylights out of those who dare to cross it.





Golden Gate of the JMT







Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 019, Nat

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 019, Nat
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Nat through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 018, John W

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 018, John W
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met John W through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. John is the person who organizes our mid-week hikes. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 017, Sandra

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 017, Sandra
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Sandra through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 016, Leslie D

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 016, Leslie D
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Leslie through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 015, Cathey W

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 015, Cathey W
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Cathey through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is one of the leaders of our group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 014, Irene J

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 014, Irene J
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Irene through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 013, Christine M

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 013, Christine M
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Christine through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 012, Stephanie A

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 012, Stephanie A
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Stephanie through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 011, Richard

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 011, Richard
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Richard through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 010, Lee

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 010, Lee
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Lee through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 009, Jerry J

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 009, Jerry J
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Jerry J through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 008, Lana S

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 008, Lana S
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Lana S through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 007, Rosemaire C

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 007, Rosemaire C
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Rosemarie C through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. She is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 006, John P

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 006, John P
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met John P through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 005, Dennis

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 005, Dennis
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Dennis through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 004, Lesley

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 004, Lesley
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Roads End, Kings Canyon
Description:
We met Lesley through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 006 up to Mist Falls, and then beyond to Upper Paradise Valley.

Adventure 005, Hike 006 – Mist Falls, Paradise Valley

friend, Lesley, friend, Ellen, Richard, John P, Rose, Lana, Jerry, Lee,  Dennis,Irene J, Christine M, Stephanie A, Cathey W, Leslie D, John W, Nat
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 006 – Mist Falls, Paradise Valley
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: Kings Canyon NP
Hike Info:
Trail: Paradise Valley/Mist Falls
Distance: 10.58
Duration: 6:32
Elevation Rise: 2,688'


Description:
Sherri and Gary hiked this trail with our mid-week meetup group. But instead of turning around at Mist Falls like the rest of the meetup, we kept on going up to Paradise Valley for a two night trip. See my blog for a full writeup of our trip.

Adventure 172 – American Black Bear

Sherri and the bear, in back

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 172 – American Black Bear
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 22, 2013
Location: East of Copper Creek, Roads End, Kings Canyon National Park
Description:
We were on a hike with our meetup group, when there was the exclamation, “There's a bear!” Of course, we all looked for him, saw him, but from a respectful distance. Well at least most of us. Some of us went and followed the bear a little ways to see what he would do. But then he turned into the forest and we decided to let him forge in peace.
The bear end

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 003, Bill

Gary and Bill
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 003, Bill
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 15, 2013
Location: Yosemite Valley
Description:
We met Bill through the Central Valley Hikers Meetup group. He is pictured in our Adventure 005, Hike 005 up Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Adventure 005, Hike 005 - Vernal and Nevada Falls

Gary and Bill from our meetup group
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 005 – Vernal/Nevada Falls
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 15, 2013
Location: Yosemite Falls
Hike Info:
Trail: Mist Trail
Distance: 5.7 miles
Duration: 5:00
Elevation Rise: 2,000'


Description:
Sherri and Gary hiked this trail with our mid-week meetup group. Just a splendid time on a splendid day. See my blog for a full writeup of our trip.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Adventure 005, Hike 004 – Four Mile Trail

Start of hike

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 004 – Four Mile Trail
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 14, 2013
Location: Yosemite Valley
Hike Info:
Trail: Four Mile Trail
Distance: 9.2 miles (Round trip)
Duration: 4:45
Elevation Rise: 3,200'



Description:
What a trail! The views the sights! The thunder! The rain! Read about it in our blog.
At the top

Adventure 009, Bridge 001 - Pohono Bridge

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure:009, Bridge 001 – Pohono Bridge
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 14, 2013
Location: Yosemite Valley
Description:
When you look east from the Pohono Bridge, you see the Merced River rushing towards you, in a hurry to pass under your bridge. In the background, Cathedral Rocks and Spires loam over the scenery with an assortment of pines and blooming dogwoods providing life to the whole scene. But we are not the first to walk across Pohono Bridge. Built in 1928 for $29,081.55 with native granite, it has seen a lot of traffic-both automotive and pedestrian. It is recognized as part of the Yosemite Historic Bridge District. Seen from the the front, the arch seems a fitting exit for the waters of the Merced to leave the valley.



Adventure 183 - Let's Roll

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 183 – Let's Roll
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 14, 2013
Location: Yosemite Valley
Description:
So what could be better than walking around the Valley? What Valley, first of all? Central Valley? No, but good guess. Santa Clara Valley? Even better! Yosemite Valley? Ah yes. With the rugged granite reaching toward the skies and the waters rushing down, the dogwoods in bloom and the smell of fresh air.

We celebrated our son's birthday by going up to the Valley. Bicycling around the valley from Happy Isles down to the Pohono Bridge and back. It is a happy time this thirteen plus miles. Plus a good time to train for the Fresno Eye-Q Classic Freeway bike ride this coming weekend.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Adventure 222 – Mother's Day Bonus

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 222 – Mother's Day Bonus
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 12, 2013
Location: Pescadero County Park, San Mateo
Description:
Why have Ma for only an hour outdoors, one day a year? Two of our children took Sherri out backpacking for the weekend—this was Sherri's Mother's Day request. So out we went-overnight to Pescadero County Park in San Mateo County (also Memorial and Sam McDonald County Parks). We stayed at Tarwater Camp and hiked 7 miles in and 7 miles out-but different routes. Sherri enjoyed herself and her children.  A fuller write up will be made in the next few days under Adventure 5, Hikes 2 and 3.

Adventure 005, Hike 003 - Pomponio Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 003 Pomponio Trail
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 12, 2013
Location: Pescadero County Park
Hike Info:
Trail: Pomponio Trail, Brooks Loop Trail, Townes Fire Road
Distance: 7.18 miles
Duration: 4:35
Elevation Rise: 1,516'


Description:
This is the second day of our overnight, Mother's Day hike. While the start and end points from our previous day's hikes are reversed, we really did a loop around the eastern part of this wonderful park. For more on our hike, see our blog.







Adventure 002, Gym 001 – Morning Yoga

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 002, Gym 001 – Morning Yoga
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 12, 2013
Location: Pescadero County Park
Description:
What better way to start off the return trip from backpacking that doing a bit of yoga. While Steven and Sherri are novices, Andrea has taken yoga for awhile. So armed with Sherri's Sleeping Bag Yoga book, exercises were done before setting out this fine Mother's Day morning.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Adventure 011, Tagged Person 001 - Steven

Adv 074 - Steven walking by
Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 011, Tagged Person 001, Steven
Team: YOLT
Date:  May 11, 2013
Location: Tarwater Camp, Pescadero County Park
Description:
Steven Duran is our son and he was with us on our backpacking trip. Here he is walking by Sherri in the hammock on Adventure 074.