I'm considering a trek to Waterwheel Falls later
this month out of Toulumne Meadows. I've never
been there. I've gotten reports as of ten days
ago from two sources in the Park--the Yosemite
Wilderness Center and the mountaineering store
at Curry Village that because of the late snow,
it's too early to go for photography because of
the trail conditions. The former said wait about
two weeks--the latter predicted 4 weeks. What's your
opinion? I understand that the hike is about 6 1/2 miles.
For those who have done it, how strenuous is it? Are there
a lot of good photo opportunities along the way? Also is
the best shooting time in that area morning or at sundown;
or are both times equally good, in your opinion.
On another subject, does anyone know at what elevations in
the Eastern Sierra the wildflowers are beginning to peak
now and what the quality of this wildflower season is? Also,
if you have any specific locations that you would recommend,
I would be appreciative.
I would follow-up with the Wilderness Center as they issue the backcountry permits and should have current reports from wilderness rangers and others who patrol the trails. They would know current trail conditions, problems and water crossing information. The hike out is mostly downhill so the hike back is uphill. Its a long hike and is best done as a backpack. Two good books for Yosemite trail descriptions are the Falcon Hiking Yosemite by Suzanne Swedo and Yosemite National Park by Jeffrey Schaffer.
Thank you, Sandy. If I do it, I'm prepared to backpack and stay overnight.
Posted by Rodney Ninow on July 12, 2011 at 11:42 PM
I have already read reports of people going to Waterwheel falls on the Yosemite forum. And it's more than 6.5 miles to WW falls. That's the distance to Glen Aulin. WW is more like 8 miles one way if I recall correctly.
I did Waterwheel Falls last Friday as a Day Hike; albeit a long Day. It's 9 miles one way from Lembert Dome / Glen Aulin Trailhead. It's a 3000 ft elevation change walk DOWN to the falls, which means you have to hike back up 3,000'. My hike was 16.5 hours for the 18mi RT w/ about 3.5 hours at the Falls. I got back to my truck at 2:10am. You have to walk through water on the trail, first crossing the Tuolumne River to about thigh deep, and again late in the trail twice and about 200 yards and 150 yards respectively, about 200 yards apart, in shin high water, albeit much warmer since it's standing water. Going in, I zigzagged across several dozen fallen logs rather than take my shoes off again for the second 150 yard section. On the way back, because I knew there were two flooded places, I did the full 1/4 mile in bare feet, 2/3rds in water, 1/3 on dry trail between.
That said, once I got to the falls, all I could say was "Wow" and came back with a new portfolio shot. The Falls were raging.
PS: Always be careful around the waterfalls. Three people died on Tuesday at Vernal Fall.
Posted by Robert Dayton on July 23, 2011 at 12:25 AM
Thanks for the detailed and precise information, Gary. Obviously, you're in great condition.
I'm looking forward to seeing your posting of Waterwheel Falls. I thought about making it
a day trip, but I don't think that I'm physically up to it. Plus, I'm wondering even if one starts
several hours before sunrise with a headlamp, by the time one gets there, have you lost
optimal lighting conditions? Of course, perhaps you got your best pictures later in the day
closer to sundown. A few final questions, Gary. When you say that
the trip was 16.5 hours roundtrip and 3.5 miles at the falls, do
you mean that the total time in, there, and out was 16.5 miles, including the shooting, or do you mean that the total time involved was 20 hours before you got back to your truck? That is to say, was the 3.5 hours of shooting time within the 16.5 hour time frame, or in addition to it? And finally, to exit, did you use a flashlight, headlamp, or was the starlight and moonlight sufficient to see
as you hiked out? Thanks again for sharing.
It's an 18 mile round trip. As far as time, you'll need to base the amount on your hiking speed. Personally, I would hike in one day, spend a night and then hike back the next. That will give you more time to look around, spend a pleasant night in the mountains, and be able to shoot both during the evening and sunrise hours.
Carry a good headlamp, even if you don't plan to hike at night. Be sure to have a set of extra batteries. The newer headlamps are very light, and given the insurance they provide, it's a no-brainer.
Case in point...Many year ago, I hiked over Forester Pass (13,700) at night. There was a good moon, and I did not have a light. My intent was turn off the Bubbs Creek trail and head up to Kearsarge Pass to get back to the East Side of the crest at Onion Valley. Well, I missed the turn in dense forest and did not catch my mistake. I kept going down Bubbs Creek and eventually wound up at Junction Meadow on the South Fork of The Kings River! I had no choice but to continue to Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. I always carry a light, even on a day hike, now!
--P
Posted by Robert Dayton on July 23, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Thanks for the information, Preston. Considering what you and Gary have
posted, if I ever make the trip, I'll probably reserve a space at Glen Alin.
I hiked up and out of Waterwheel Falls two years ago as part of a long backpacking trip in the area. There is no way I'd do that hike as a day trip. There is great camping at the bottom of the falls and it is very pretty down there IMO. If you don't backpack, you might look into the possibility of staying in Glen Aulin, although there probably isn't vacancy The hike to Glen Aulin and the falls is outstanding and there are excellent photo opportunities just a couple miles from trail head along the Tuolumne River. You might just consider that as an alternative. The falls are huge and if the water levels are right it could be good for photography. However, there are only a few potentially accessible places for photography and you almost always going to be shooting across the falls. Also, there is a very nice waterfall at Glen Aulin to shoot as well. Take the hike, enjoy the trip, and if you don't make it all the way to Waterwheel Falls don't sweat - the scenery is equally impressive almost the whole way along the trail.
Discussion
9 repliesthis month out of Toulumne Meadows. I've never
been there. I've gotten reports as of ten days
ago from two sources in the Park--the Yosemite
Wilderness Center and the mountaineering store
at Curry Village that because of the late snow,
it's too early to go for photography because of
the trail conditions. The former said wait about
two weeks--the latter predicted 4 weeks. What's your
opinion? I understand that the hike is about 6 1/2 miles.
For those who have done it, how strenuous is it? Are there
a lot of good photo opportunities along the way? Also is
the best shooting time in that area morning or at sundown;
or are both times equally good, in your opinion.
On another subject, does anyone know at what elevations in
the Eastern Sierra the wildflowers are beginning to peak
now and what the quality of this wildflower season is? Also,
if you have any specific locations that you would recommend,
I would be appreciative.
Thanks for the help.
Sandy
Berkeley, CA
Natural History Wanderings
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandysteinman/
http://picasaweb.google.com/sandysteinman
That said, once I got to the falls, all I could say was "Wow" and came back with a new portfolio shot. The Falls were raging.
PS: Always be careful around the waterfalls. Three people died on Tuesday at Vernal Fall.
I'm looking forward to seeing your posting of Waterwheel Falls. I thought about making it
a day trip, but I don't think that I'm physically up to it. Plus, I'm wondering even if one starts
several hours before sunrise with a headlamp, by the time one gets there, have you lost
optimal lighting conditions? Of course, perhaps you got your best pictures later in the day
closer to sundown. A few final questions, Gary. When you say that
the trip was 16.5 hours roundtrip and 3.5 miles at the falls, do
you mean that the total time in, there, and out was 16.5 miles, including the shooting, or do you mean that the total time involved was 20 hours before you got back to your truck? That is to say, was the 3.5 hours of shooting time within the 16.5 hour time frame, or in addition to it? And finally, to exit, did you use a flashlight, headlamp, or was the starlight and moonlight sufficient to see
as you hiked out? Thanks again for sharing.
It's an 18 mile round trip. As far as time, you'll need to base the amount on your hiking speed. Personally, I would hike in one day, spend a night and then hike back the next. That will give you more time to look around, spend a pleasant night in the mountains, and be able to shoot both during the evening and sunrise hours.
Carry a good headlamp, even if you don't plan to hike at night. Be sure to have a set of extra batteries. The newer headlamps are very light, and given the insurance they provide, it's a no-brainer.
Case in point...Many year ago, I hiked over Forester Pass (13,700) at night. There was a good moon, and I did not have a light. My intent was turn off the Bubbs Creek trail and head up to Kearsarge Pass to get back to the East Side of the crest at Onion Valley. Well, I missed the turn in dense forest and did not catch my mistake. I kept going down Bubbs Creek and eventually wound up at Junction Meadow on the South Fork of The Kings River! I had no choice but to continue to Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. I always carry a light, even on a day hike, now!
--P
posted, if I ever make the trip, I'll probably reserve a space at Glen Alin.
I hiked up and out of Waterwheel Falls two years ago as part of a long backpacking trip in the area. There is no way I'd do that hike as a day trip. There is great camping at the bottom of the falls and it is very pretty down there IMO. If you don't backpack, you might look into the possibility of staying in Glen Aulin, although there probably isn't vacancy The hike to Glen Aulin and the falls is outstanding and there are excellent photo opportunities just a couple miles from trail head along the Tuolumne River. You might just consider that as an alternative. The falls are huge and if the water levels are right it could be good for photography. However, there are only a few potentially accessible places for photography and you almost always going to be shooting across the falls. Also, there is a very nice waterfall at Glen Aulin to shoot as well. Take the hike, enjoy the trip, and if you don't make it all the way to Waterwheel Falls don't sweat - the scenery is equally impressive almost the whole way along the trail.