Glacier Point Photosynth
As mentioned, the Four Mile Trail was officially closed, but in fact the trail was clear of snow all the way to the top--and back down the other side.
Expect this sign to be changed within a week.
Maybe a thousand feet off the valley floor, we got a call from our friends from the top of Eagle Peak who were hiking a familiar route as an overnighter.
Friend (friends?), circled.
The view from Union Point was nice, as always:
Somewhat broken Photosynth
After the upper set of switchbacks, along the final traverse to Glacier Point, we encountered the first (and only) snow we'd encounter close-up:
The road (and, officially, trail) being closed, there were only a few groups of people at Glacier Point enjoying the wonderful weather--just like last Thanksgiving.
We hung out for about an hour, taking in the views and enjoying the peace, quiet, and sun, before heading down the Panorama Trail.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to low snow conditions, it seems that the grooming equipment may have taken out the recently-installed fencing:
The Panorama Trail lived up to its name.
We stopped for a break and some cold-water foot therapy at Illilouette Creek before starting the climb to the top of Panorama Cliff.
I stopped for a quick Photosynth stop at Panorama Point, where I somehow learned the art of either levitation or transparency. The no-longer-maintained (but formerly paved) trail to this viewpoint is getting a bit overgrown and reminds me of what the access to Union Point used to be like, before the recent signage and bush-clearing.
The descent to the JMT was nice, where the views were strangely familiar. One big difference compared to last time: Ice Cut was free of ice, although water was dripping onto the trail.
One of these domes is 1/2 of the other.
Once below Clark Point, we looked back up at where we had been not too long ago.
The final bit to the trailhead was the typical summer wade-through-the-Mist-Trail-crowds hike. Still, it was nice seeing people out enjoying their national parks.
Since we had been able to arrange a car shuttle swappy-thing with the El Cap/Eagle Peak contingent, our car was waiting for us at the backpackers parking lot, and after some post-hike food and beverages, we were on our way... well, except for a few obligatory parting shots of the valley.
More Pictures
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/01/2013 08:26PM by basilbop.