Truth be told, most of the deaths on the Ledge Trail (just like all the other "dangerous trails" had nothing to do with the trail and all to do with people going both off trail....AND off route....rather than sticking to the trail.by Curious Hiker - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Great photos. I think lots of people want to see photos of the gully of the Ledge Trail....I think many have a greater fear of Manzanita than a fear of exposure.by Curious Hiker - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
It seems there are two things everyone wants to know about the Ledge Trail.....is it possible to get across the rock fall areas and how bad is the bush wacking. I think many people are more concerned with the bushwacking than the rock slides. I predict that if John Muir were alive today the Ledge Trail would still be in use (the Fern Ledge would be on the map as well). I think he would haveby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
For the record, as far as I can tell, the same number of people have died on the Ledge Trail as have died going over Nevada Falls. More people have gone over Vernal Falls than have died on the Ledge Trail. Should you want to do the Ledge Trail and give yourself the best odds do the following..... 1. Go up it not down it. 2. Do not go off the trail or attempt a shortcut. 3. Bring enoughby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Most recent info I have been able to find on this route is from a couple in their 50s dated 2014. However an old timer in the park who did it often as a kid said it is best avoided. Once you have seen it however the pull try it is huge. The 2014 article mentioned that the gully is getting pretty overgown and could be impossible to pass through in a few years. As for approching from the apronby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I would love to see a discussion this detailed about the Ledge Trail. Can it still be done or is it forever lost and now a myth of Yosemite?by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That is the kind of sign you would see in Montana....you pass that sign and three hours down the trail you see another sign and it has the same distances on it again.by Curious Hiker - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Right about the brush....the initial base of Half Dome seems to be surrounded by a nasty length of manzanita. For me, that was the worst part of the hike. It seems like if you try to pick the thinist patch of the manzanita (which is maybe about 10 feet of plowing through) it puts you right at this crack that while doable is still 4th Class and exposed and even once climbed I am not sure if it wby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Better to fail and come out walking. Just because you can go up does not mean you can go down. Down climbing sucks....we do it but nicer if we don't have to. I would love to know what percentage of people hit the Snake Dike Route and have to give up at that point. Happened to me too.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
If you are not super familiar with this area, I would plan two days for Diving Board. One day to get it wrong. And one day to get it right. Or go with someone who has done it before. The issue with this hike is not the difficutly of the walk but the difficulty of the route finding. One thing however.....you will never get lost....there are too many landmarks for that to happen. I tried viby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Walk 20 ft down from the left of the sign and the rocks are smaller and better start point. Very short walk up the rocks before you hit the "trail".by Curious Hiker - General Discussion
SF is too busy painting bike lanes and bus lanes to worry about something as silly as a water supply. The only reason anyone does politics in SF is to brown nose their way to Sac or DC....they could care less about the city and infastructure.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Celestron 15x70....but these are star gazers.....not made for a backpack.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Not sure but I think there have been less deaths on El Cap than on the old Ledge Trail. But a one way ticket over Vernal Falls seems to be the most popular way of doing one's self in at Yosemite. Even with all the signs people still have to get that "perfect shot" or slide down the apron and swim in the pool.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was in Yosemite Valley this weekend. On my return hike from my failed attempt to get to Diving Board I talked to many Dome hikers who had permits but said there was NO ranger who ever checked them. This was a Sunday.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Remember, these plans are NEVER created by people who use the park. There are created by major companies that are headquarted 1000s of miles away.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
They will remove the old buildings without hesitation.....but get rid of a few tent cabins at Curry......GOD FORBID!!!! I have not been in the Valley for over 10 years but just got back. I could have sworn there used to be a picnic sign and picnic table at Cascade Falls Parking Lot off 140. Now there is not even a sign on the bridge at the falls or a sign at the parking lot for Cascade Falls.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
New road is nice. Looks like they reduced the traffic speed limit? I saw 35MPH. Didn't it used to be 45MPH? The center line washboarding however is so extreme as to almost be dangerous.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The real issue is that 80% of the Saturday traffic is visitors who will only be spending 6 hours or less in the valley.by Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
They only do this on the weekends which is rather ironic as that is when the traffic is the worst. If you are coming into Yosemite Valley on a Saturday after 11 AM in the summer, I would recommend parking somewhere before the Four Mile Trail Head and then walk to the bus stop at The Four Mile Trail Head (God be Praised that the bus now goes all the way out to that trailhead saving several milesby Curious Hiker - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion