Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: Yosemite National Park and Vicinity - Elizabeth Wenk - Страница 13

1 Lookout Point

Trailhead Location: Hetch Hetchy entrance station

Trail Use: Hiking

Distance & Configuration: 2.8-mile out-and-back

Elevation Range: 4,750 feet at the start, with 560 feet of ascent/descent

Facilities: A water faucet is located to the side of the buildings just to the right of the entrance station, but no toilet is at the trailhead.

Highlights: Fall colors, views to Hetch Hetchy, and a feel for the foothills

DESCRIPTION

This short hike leads to the summit of a small granite dome from which you can view Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and its surroundings—one of the few at this elevation that provides an expansive vista. Take the walk in the late afternoon for the best lighting. Also wonderful are the fall colors: the orange oak leaves and tall yellow grass.

THE ROUTE

Departing from the southern edge of the ranger’s compound, locate a small trail disappearing south into a stand of tall incense cedars and Jeffrey pines. Just beyond is an unmarked X-junction where you turn left; straight ahead leads to Lookout Point by a much longer route. Heading left, you now parallel a broad turn in the Hetch Hetchy Road—a little frustrating to watch the cars as you walk, but there is no parking where the trail finally diverges from the road (0.5 mile from start).

A partially burned oak tree

The trail switchbacks up a slope that was burned once about 20 years ago, and sections again in 2008; tall black snags dot the landscape, intermingled with black oak trees that escaped. A small stream flows through here in spring, providing moisture for an excellent wildflower display. In fall it is a landscape of tall yellow grass, seed heads, and coloring oak trees.

Where the slope ends, you enter a nearly flat and quite lush valley. The narrow trail continues between burnt trees. Ferns, tall scrubs, and seedlings thrive, all growing rapidly with the forest canopy removed. Soon you reach a T-junction (1.1 miles), where the trail straight ahead leads to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, while you take the left-hand fork to climb up Lookout Point. The trail leads first north and then west to ascend the northern side of the small granite dome (1.4 miles). Like so many of Yosemite’s domes, a beautiful stunted Jeffrey pine emerges from a crack on the summit.

View to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir from Lookout Point

From the summit, especially with late-afternoon lighting, you will be treated to an aerial view of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and the granite peaks to the north, a view usually obtained only by climbing difficult-to-reach summits such as Kolana Rock. In spring Tueeulala and Wapama falls will be obvious white streaks on the rock face. It is also simply a nice summit from which to take in the topography and vegetation of low-elevation western Yosemite, for there are few locations with views in this part of the park. When you have finished gazing about, return to your car the way you came (2.8 miles).

TO THE TRAILHEAD

GPS Coordinates: N37° 53.592′ W119° 50.478′

Turn north from CA 120 onto Evergreen Road. This junction is located 1.1 miles west of the Yosemite entrance station at Big Oak Flat and 22.5 miles east of Groveland. (Note the sign with the current schedule for Hetch Hetchy day-use hours to avoid waiting behind a closed gate 15 minutes down the road.) After winding along Evergreen Road for 7.2 miles, you reach a T-junction with Hetch Hetchy Road. Turn right (east) and drive past Camp Mather, beneath a tall gateway, and past a gate that is locked each night. Beyond the T-junction, 1.3 miles later, you reach the Hetch Hetchy entrance station; here you are required to register your car. Park your car by the side of the road just beyond the entrance station and begin your walk on the southeastern side of the road.