Sierra Point, Yosemite

[EM2]

Today I hiked to Sierra Point in Yosemite.
This is an old abandoned trail that takes you to the only point in the park from which you can see 4 of the 5 major waterfalls, Vernal, Nevada, illilouette, and Yosemite, lower & upper.

The railing


Yosemite Falls


Vernal & Nevada Falls


Illilouette falls


Trail to Vernal Falls directly below Sierra Point

[grneps]

Where is the trailhead and is it marked?

[scifigunner]

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing!

[Dnele928]

Ummmm...no snow????

[EM2]

Where is the trailhead and is it marked?

Trailhead? marked? nope & nope
This is an abandoned trail, no longer maintained after a large rock fall in the 1970s.

You start up the trail to Vernal Falls and shortly after the gauging station you will see this sign. This is where you leave the trail and start up hill. And I do mean hill. You will go uphill almost the entire .7 miles to the point.



And the trailhead will look like a large rock fall, which is of course what it is.


We scrambled up these rocks and stayed to the right.
We came across a washout that was about 100 yards or so uphill of loose gravel and stones.
We did eventually come across remnants of the old trail which we followed up to the point.
This is not an easy climb and those not experienced in hiking should bring someone along who is experienced.
Most of the way we were on hands and feet due to the steep and very rocky terrain.

[EM2]

Ummmm...no snow????

No snow
The only snow we say was wayyyy up above Glacier Point area across the way and this was only small patches.

FYI, the waterfalls are flowing quite nicely right now so do not delay if you want to see them.

For those familiar with Yosemite, I saw a depressing sight, Fern Spring was NOT flowing. This is a spring along the road on the south side on the way back out to Fresno. I have stopped at the spring many times over the years and it has always flowed nicely, even in the dead of summer. Today, there was some water but no flow. the hills are drying up.

[Team.America]

I'll be going up in May during the melt season.

Is Fern spring at a higher elevation? Low snow-pack over the past few seasons is likely the culprit in it's poor flow.

[EM2]

I'll be going up in May during the melt season.

Is Fern spring at a higher elevation? Low snow-pack over the past few seasons is likely the culprit in it's poor flow.

There won't be much of a 'melt season' this year since there is very little snow in the mountains.
The waterfalls are flowing right now because of the recent rain storms.


No, Fern Spring is at the valley floor and I assume gets it's water from the mountain above.
Since it is not flowing and there is little to no snow on the hills I figure the mountain soils are drying out.

Fern Springs, Yosemite

map

this is what the flow usually looks like.

[echo1]

Man that's so cool. Sierra Point, I'm on it before the end of March. My wife gave me a lifetime NP Pass, I''l break it in there. I've got an old topo that I'll route it out on. Thanks, PAX

[Garv]

Nice, I am past due to go back.

Thanks

[echo1]

Not a climb that I would want to make. Thanks for the pics.

Looks like a dry Mist Trail. PAX

[EM2]

The climb wasn't too bad but the decent was a little trickier.
For the record, I am not an avid hiker/climber and am 48 yrs old in moderate shape if that gives you an idea of skill set to do this hike.
a good portion of the hike is climbing rock piles and some areas of loose washout. There is some remnants of the old trail but be aware that some of it is not to current trail standards.

here are some more pics of the trail.

a small section of wall midway up the trail


some 'stairs' up toward the top
these are narrow with a steep slope to the right


and a rare calm section of the trail

[bsg]

beautiful; it's powerful stuff.

[ontmark]

Thanks a bunch
Great pictures.

[M1NM]

FYI, the waterfalls are flowing quite nicely right now so do not delay if you want to see them..

I remember camping there in the late 50s with my folks. Lots of waterfalls and the highlight of every evening - firefalls.