My time in Yosemite is quickly drawing to an end. My schedule the last month and a half has been completely filled with a project dealing with approach trails for El Capitan. There were no established trails to reach the base of the wall but instead of prolific system of braided social trails. A project was done two years ago to determine use and with that information, restoration and trail crews covered up the existing system and created a single approach trail, respectively. What we did this year was repeat that survey to determine the effectiveness of the restoration and trail work. Now that all the field data has been gathered, I'm back to a normal schedule (getting days off again!) and in the office getting all the data entered.
I had Veteran's Day off and decided I needed to take one last hike in the park. I've been wanting to hike a dome called Clouds Rest all season and decided it was now or never.
The day was beautiful. Couldn't have asked for better weather. The views from the trail were awesome.
Words of encouragement: I believe that you can make it! Love.
Even with those words of encouragement, I couldn't make it. I was about four miles in when I hit snow for real. I hiked a little on it, but with the warming/freezing cycles that area had been experiencing the last week, there were places it was very, very slippery. After a few slipping close calls, I decided I didn't need a broken leg and reluctantly turned around.
Perhaps Clouds Rest is meant to be conquered next summer. Always looking for a hiking buddy, anyone else interested?
I am impressed you decided to turn around! Nice job making that tough decision. A slip on ice would not have been ideal....
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