Quote
sierranomad
...I just noticed in another thread mention of a trail between Bridalveil and Tunnel View. Is this difficult to find/follow? About how long is it?
You're probably thinking of the lower end of the Old Wawona Road. From the Pohono Trail, you can actually pick it up in two places:
1. When you get to Inspiration Point (which will be off to your left in the direction you'll be coming), if you're facing the Valley, directly behind you you'll see an old road starting down a small series of switchbacks. The first stretch has some huge trees that you'll have to go over, under or around but after that, there are only minor obstructions all the way down to the valley floor (at least that was the case the last time I walked that stretch about 2 or 3 years ago).
2. You can continue down the Pohono Trail, past Inspiration Point for (IIRC), another 0.6 miles or so. You'll then get to a much wider trail intersecting the Pohono at a 90-degree angle. This is, again, the Old Wawona Road which, after it finishes switchbacking down from Inspiration Point, will have wrapped back eastward (i.e., towards the valley). Turn right here and, in a couple of miles, that'll dump you on the new Wawona Road (Hwy 41) a little bit west of the Bridalveil Fall parking lot.
You know your own pace but this is significantly farther than I'd try in a day. Also, be aware that, although the predominant trend of the Pohono from GP to Tunnel View is downhill, that's only consistently true for the last several miles (after you pass Stanford Point, IIRC). You'll have a good number of up-and-down spots as you cross local creek drainages and the like so there's still a good amount of "up-hilling" after you reach GP. If you're up for it, I'd strongly recommend bringing a flashlight or headlamp. You don't want to be relying on moonlight only to find out that there's a cloud cover hiding it! Also, although the old road is pretty readily passable below Inspiration Point, there are washouts and the like to contend with. They're pretty trivial in daylight but, in the dark, I'd want to be able to get a good look at where I was putting my feet.
I hope that doesn't sound discouraging. If you're up for that kind of distance, go for it. The Pohono is a really beautiful trail with multiple stunning views of the Valley. That, by the way, may add to your time. Whenever I'm on the trail, I find myself lingering at almost every overlook (including the un-named ones...like where it crosses Sentinel Creek) for at least 20 or 30 minutes and some time much more. It's just too hard to pull myself away!
Good luck (and let us know how it goes)!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2014 07:43PM by DavidK42.
