"The trail to Sierra Point can be dangerous if you don’t know what you
are doing . . . There are ledges that you have to climb along where
there are straight drop-offs and mistakes can be deadly. I do not recommend
this hike but thought you might enjoy seeing what the area is like.”
“This hike should not be attempted by beginning hikers due to the
difficulty of the missing portions of the trail. In fact, the
National Park Service does not recommend that anyone take this trail."
Latitude Online Articles
"This is not a casual hike for the inexperienced.
Route finding and sturdy footwork is required."
August 05, 2012 09:17PM
https://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,74951
8:30 am ~ June 2021 “How would you like to go to Sierra Point with me?” “Wasn’t that trail closed in 1967 due to rock-slides and then obliterated by another earthquake related rock-slide in 1980?”
“Yes, that’s true, but portions of the trail still remain, and, with a little effort, I think you’ll find that the spectacular views awaiting you will be worth your time and energy to reach Sierra Point. Plus, although it’s an 800-foot climb in less than a mile, it won’t take more than 60 minutes to get there.” “Okay, but one more thing: Is it safe? I mean, what’s the chance of another rock-slide occurring? It sounds risky.”
“No matter where you are in Yosemite, you risk being exposed to some unexpected danger, be it an angry motorist, a sudden hail storm, or even a rock-slide that separates from the hillside where it has been secured for eons of time. For the record, 13 people die a year in Yosemite on average. Someone has even written a book about it!“ “So, you’re saying just being here in the Park involves some level of risk-taking.” “Absolutely! No one plans for rock-slides, right? They just kind of happen, unexpectedly, whether you are ready for it or not. The Sierra Point “trail” is subject to the same odds of a surprise event of nature just like any other trail in Yosemite. We’ll do our best to hike cautiously and safely in light of the risks.” “Okay. I guess you’re right. I’m in. What’s next?” 8:36 am “Follow me! We’ll use the Rock Pile sign to triangulate to our first destination. You see that triangular bump on the stone about 45 yards and 130 degrees to the left of the Rock Pile sign?” “Clear as day!” 8:40 am “Now, let’s go about twenty-five steps back toward the Happy Isles bridge, and veer off the main trail here and then let’s hike toward that triangular topped rock.”
8:42 am
“These huge boulders are really fresh looking compared to the ones near the Rock Pile sign. They don’t have much discoloration or moss growing on them.”
“Yes, pretty fresh! Many landed here during the 1980 rockfall caused by the Mammoth Mountain earthquake (6.1 magnitude). And, as we move past these huge boulders, we can see the triangular-topped rock just above us!”
“I see it!”
8:44 am
“And then just above the triangular rock . . . look here, step on to this big flat rock that provides us with a perfect overlook to see the Rock Pile sign way down there where we had been standing.”
“I see it along with people walking on the Mist Trail.”
“Yep, and next comes a crucial piece of information to reach Sierra Point. Turn 180 degrees behind you and what do you see?”
“Looks like a trail. Is that part of the old Sierra Point trail?”
“That’s it! Let’s get started on it. You’ll find it to be pretty easy hiking until we get to our first challenging scramble.”
8:51 am
“The trail looks like it hasn’t had any housekeeping in a long time; I mean, it seems like someone took the rocks and kicked them out of place!”
“I agree! It’s been over 40 years since the trail received any grooming and repair. If left alone, nature can reclaim any neglected piece of real estate and return it to its more natural state!” Let’s just keep finding our way up and down and over as we climb higher and higher.”
“What happens when the trail is covered by brush?”
“Just bend it away from you. Like I said, it’s been over 40 years since any professional trail staff have worked on the trail. They make a difference. I encountered some trail groomers while hiking the Four-Mile Trail up to Glacier Point a few years ago. Their work is slow and tedious, but skillfully done to keep steps in place, and to control rain and snow-melt so the trail does not wash out. The groomed Four-Mile-Trail makes the 3,200 feet (975 m) climb much safer and enjoyable.
After hiking to Sierra Point, you won’t take a nicely maintained trail for granted. Plus, sometimes portions of this trail branch off in different ways like you might see in a meadow where a “social trail” develops as people walk alongside one another. That damages the meadow and even that has to be repaired to get it back to its natural look.“
“I can see we have a few choices to go in some places.”
“Yes, the trail tends to fan out, which makes it harder to discern which way to go and for anyone who comes after us.“
8:57 am
“So far, this hike hasn’t been too bad, eh?”
“Yep! Not too bad! Hey, look ahead . . . check out those stone steps!”
“Didn’t I tell you portions of the old trail are still in place? You can be certain you are on the trail when you encounter these steps. And we get plenty of those on this hike! Well, shake the cobwebs off your bones because we got some stair-steppin’ to do!”
“And some more heavy breathing too!”
9:01 am
“Okay, I could use a rest after that.”
“Just a little farther and we can rest where it levels out and where we get our first view of Yosemite Valley.”
“Oh, here we are! I can see Upper Yosemite Fall from here. Wow, we gained elevation quickly. Let me get a few photos!”
“Take your time. You haven’t seen anything yet though.”
9:08 am
“Look here at these sticks and boulders crossing the trail. Someone is trying to tell us something.”
“Yes, to not go any further! What’s up?”
“This part of the trail is very deceptive. If this roadblock was not placed here and you did not know any better, then you would keep following the trail around that huge boulder. But it only leads to a dead-end that drops off, not allowing you to go any farther. So, we need to stop here and check out the alternative!”
“Yeah, right! What alternative? There’s no trail anywhere here! Are you sure those rocks and sticks aren’t a decoy to keep people off the trail?”
“No, that’s not a decoy. Take a look over there!”
“All I see is a big rock face. You’re not suggesting we climb that, are you?”
“Believe it or not, that’s the trail, way up there! We need to scale that huge granite wall off to the right there.”
“You mean where the ridges are?”
“Yes. Right there. We can do this!”
“Wow! Now I am really breathing hard.”
“Just make sure your shoes are secure and then pull yourself up.”
9:13 am “That wasn’t so bad, was it?” “No, I guess not. It took some work but I kind of enjoyed it!” “Just around the corner you’ll be rewarded with a better view of Yosemite Valley!” “Oh, I see Glacier Point, Yosemite Fall, and North Dome! Are you saying the views get better than this?” “Certainly! This is just a warmup! But we have a little more climbing to do.” “I’m ready, especially if it leads to more panoramas like this!” “I agree. Upward. Let’s go!”
9:15 am
“Careful along these steps here. It’s a long way down. I don’t want to have to pull you up if you go over the edge!”
“Ditto on that to you, too!”
9:19 am
“Uh, oh! It looks like we’re facing another dead end! Where to from here?”
“This is our last big challenge. I’ll go first. We need to scale this boulder and get up to where the trail continues above us. Place your feet in the natural indentations in the rock and pull yourself up. You can do this. It’s another fun climbing exercise.”
“Here goes! I’ll follow your steps.”
9:24 am
“Whew! We made it! I guess you just keep climbing until you hit level ground!”
“Yes, emphasis on ‘just keep climbing.’ You see those steps ahead? Why don’t you go first and I’ll follow in case a rock gets dislodged behind you? Sometimes the biggest danger comes from the person you’re hiking with when a boulder gets accidentally freed and speeds downhill toward the person following.”
“Whoa! Like that one? Look out below! Sorry!”
“Yikes! Just missed it! Yes, like that one. That’s what I call a man-made rockfall!”
9:28 am
“Hey, I can see Illilouette Fall from here! Look way over there! We’re close, aren’t we?”
“I see it too. Yes, just around the bend and we’ll be there!”
9:32 am
“There it is! I see it! We made it! In less than an hour! And look at the view! There’s Vernal Fall and its watery spray floating up like mist against the steep rock walls. And Nevada Fall just above it as is pours over that upper granite edge! Illilouette is a little fainter in the morning light but it still looks like a string of white pearls against the rocky gorge. And look how Upper Yosemite Fall dominates the Valley scene as it boldly jumps out from so high up the south-facing cliff . . . oh, and . . . whoa! Speaking of cliff . . . I also can see that it’s a long way down from where we are!”
“Oh, that! Yes, I’d much rather take the trail down than go down that way.” “No kidding. But I won’t be ready to go back down for a while. This ‘risk-taking’ activity in Yosemite certainly can have its ‘up-side.’ How about we find a spot to ‘park’ ourselves and enjoy a snack and the views from here?”
“Yeah, let’s park ourselves here and enjoy some ‘risky’ and relaxing behavior up here at Sierra Point!”
Comments