Yosemite June 2020

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite Valley

Lower Yosemite Falls

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite

Half Dome from near the Yosemite Falls

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls

Base of Lower Yosemite Falls 2

Yosemite Falls Trail

Upper Yosemite Falls from meadow

About Black Bears and Black Bear Encounters

Black Bear Facts

Black Bear in Campsite

Black bears are the most populous bear in North America.  These bears have lived almost everywhere in North America where there is some sort of large area of wilderness that is other than desert.  However, beginning in the early 1900's, the distribution of the bear began to wither.  In the past 25 years, bear populations have again been growing.  It is difficult to say how many bears there are at any one given time, but according to a study by Wildlife Conservation Society and the Nevada Department of Wildlife, in 1931, black bears were extinct in Nevada and today there are almost 300 bears living in the state.

Black bears eat almost anything.  Usually, less than 10% of a bears diet is "meat", and usually this meat is bugs or larvae.  The other 90% of the bears diet is vegetation or fruits that the bear can find in its habitat.  Like humans, bears love to eat, and like humans, bears like convenience.  Bears are lazy, but very smart.  Bears are usually shy.  Bears learn and will grow to not fear humans if they associate humans with food.  When bears learn to no longer fear humans, many times, the bear will have to be put down or removed to a more desolate area in order to prevent potential problems in the future.

Black Bear Encounters

Bear encounters, for the most part are best to be avoided.  If there are bears in the area, the best way to avoid a dangerous encounter is to plan accordingly.  First and foremost, properly store food.  Ensure that all food is stored in a bear canister or bear locker.  Do not leave food in your car.  A locked door will not stop a bear.  Do not eat where you sleep.  If hiking make noise so as not to surprise a bear.

If a bear does wander into your campsite or onto your trail, scan the area for cubs and observe the temperament of the bear.  In most instances the black bear will run as soon as it has seen or heard you, but if it does not back away slowly.  Do not get between the mother and her cubs.  Talk calmly and firmly.  If the bear looks or steps in your direction continue to back away and wave your hands speaking firmly.  Do not run.  Bears will outrun you and running may trigger predatory instincts.  Give the bear space and continue to live your happy life.  If the black bear does attack fight back.  To be safe, it can't hurt to have FRONTIERSMAN Bear Attack Deterrent with Hip Holster - Maximum Strength & 30 Foot Range .

    

Hikers Lost in the Cleveland National Forest

Holy Jim Falls

Proper planning prevents piss poor performance...and getting lost in the woods and almost dying.  That being said, if you are going to hike Holy Jim Trail in Trabuco Canyon and you are an 18 and 19 year old athlete and your name is Kyndall Jack and Nicholas Cendoya, is planning even necessary?  Does one have to plan properly for a walk in the park?

Holy Jim Trail is a 2.8 mile round trip hike with a 650 foot elevation gain.  For those of you who do not know, this is a very easy venture.  As the cliche goes, it is a walk in the park.  At AllTrails.com, in the member provided description, Jennifer Johnson writes, "this is a fun trail and easy for kids."  And Steven Davies wrote, "trails are clearyly marked...I had a group of kids ages 5-10.  None of them had a hard time."  Personally, I have not completed this hike, but if I were hiking this trail I see no potential danger of getting lost or dying. 

There was something else going on other than two innocent kids trying to enjoy a hike.  Only if you leave the trail into the thick impassable vegetation is the terrain steep and rough. Two teenage athletes almost dying in this particular area can only raise questions.  Why leave the trail?  Were they doing something illegal?  At best, this ordeal is due to complete negligence and at worst, there was some illegal activity.  I do believe that there is something more to this story as it does not all add up.  That being said, it is good news that both kids were found alive.

Karin Klein rightly asks the question in her LA Times Opinion piece, who should pay for this massive search and rescue effort?  Much of the search was conducted by volunteers, but there is no such thing as a free lunch .

Yosemite Valley: Hikes for Kids

Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park are wonderful places to visit with children.  There is a lot for them to learn and to do.  High on the list of things to do with kids is hiking.  There are several trails in Yosemite Valley that are easy and short enough for most kids or parents carrying kids.  Here is the official Yosemite Valley hiking brochure. Here are some of the Best Easy Day Hikes in Yosemite National Park,

Kid Friendly Trails in Yosemite Valley

Lower Yosemite Falls

Trailhead: near the Yosemite Lodge.  The Yosemite Valley Shuttle Bus stops here (#6).

Distance: easy half mile from the trailhead or a bit longer 1.5 miles if hiked from the lodge parking lot

Description: The main attraction is the cascading waterfall.  However, in late summer and winter there may not be a waterfall.  The best time of year to visit is spring and early summer when the water is roaring.  The entire trail is paved and stroller friendly although there is a slight incline.  This trail is one of the more busier in the valley.  Go early.

Bridalveil Fall

Trailhead: southwest of the valley on Wawona Road.

Distance: easy paved one mile from the trailhead

Description: The main attraction is of course the cascading waterfall.  This waterfall runs year round.  But, to see it at its mightiest it is best visit in spring or early summer.  The entire trail is paved and stroller friendly although there is a slight incline.  The spray produced by the waterfall can create slippery conditions.  Again, this trail is pretty busy.  It would be best to go early to avoid the crowds.

Cooks Meadow Loop

Trailhead: near the crossroads of Sentinel Drive and Southside Drive. Shuttle Bus stop #5.

Distance: an easy 2.25 miles

Description: The main attraction are the views.  Cooks Meadow Loop is best hiked in late spring or early summer when flowers are blooming and water is running at its strongest.  From this hike there are some amazing views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.  This trail has little elevation gain to it.  Most of the trail is paved or boardwalk and is kid friendly.  This trail is very busy especially at Sentinel Bridge where Half Dome and the Merced River can be lined up for a beautiful picture. Parking can be difficult to find.  Be prepared to deal with crowds.  There are many bathrooms scattered along this trail.

Mirror Lake/Meadow

Trailhead: on Happy Isle Loop east of North Pines Camp.  Shuttle Bus stop #17.

Distance: easy 2 miles

Description: The main attraction are the views and the lake which, spoiler alert, mirrors the surrounding cliffs and Half Dome.  For much of the year the lake will not have enough water to mirror anything.  However, this trail still offers great views year round and can be an excellent opportunity to view some of the wild life in the valley. The best time of year to visit is spring and early summer when the water levels are surging.  The entire trail is paved and stroller friendly although there is a slight incline.  Do not expect solitude by the lakeside.  Mirror Lake is a popular Yosemite Valley swim hole.  Bring a bathing suit.

Vernal Falls

Trailhead: on Happy Isle Loop Drive.   Shuttle Bus stop #16.

Distance: moderate 3 miles and 1,000 foot climb to the falls; or 1.5 miles and 400 foot climb to falls overlook

Description: The main attraction is the cascading waterfall.  The best time of year to visit is spring and early summer when the water is roaring.  This trail is not stroller friendly and there are over 600 stone steps that may be slippery with spray from the waterfall.  Due to the difficulty and potential danger of slippery rocks, this trail is not super busy.  I would not recommend this with very young kids. Here are some excellent photos from this hike.

Whathier Landing to Whitewater Preserve

Whitewater River with San Jacinto

Hike: Stills Landing to Whathier Landing to Whitewater Preserve

Location: Whitewater, CA
Distance: 9.3 miles
Difficulty: moderate with 2 miles off trail rock scrambling and river crossings
Elevation Change: 500 foot gain offset by a 1500 foot descent to the Preserve
Best Time of Year: Late fall to mid spring
Recommened Map:  Here