Tenaya Canyon

I was lucky enough to hook up with Boz, down in Yosemite for a few days of adventuring. He’s been busy working on gathering content for Outdoor Project, and invited me to join for a Tenaya Canyon mission. 

Unlike some of the more popular and standard hikes in Yosemite, Tenaya probably sees under 20 groups a year. With no trails, and several rappels, the route follows the canyon from Tenaya lake – up on Tioga Pass, and spits you out 12 miles and 4,200’ below on the Yosemite valley floor. The canyon is your guide and Half Dome is your end marker as you pass by Mirror Lake some 10+ hours after the start of the descent. Route selection through the valley and canyon was critical in some points to safely navigate obstacles like the 800’ 45 degree slick slab, boulders larger than buildings, and as mentioned several 70’ rapels over canyon walls and through waterfalls. Scenery was dramatic & the day was an epic – not soon to be forgotten. I’d love to get back up there and make an overnight of it to take a little time to try and stick a few of the Brook Trout that are numerous in the low water pools.

The day was more taxing on our bodies than we anticipated, so were somewhat forced to take it a little easier for the other days we had in The Park. We got up on a wall for some sport climbing and woke at 5AM on our final day to catch a gorgeous sunrise from Glacier Point.

I feel a little guilty to not have spent more time in this zone having grown up in the state, but feel lucky that one of the most spectacular places Ive ever seen is just a short road trip from home.

Just another day at work for Boz.

From Tahoe, the best and nicely scenic route to Yosemite was over Tioga Pass which takes you right past Mono Lake

A truly gorgeous place

Once over the pass I got my first views of Half Dome and the valley we would be navigating the next day

I headed up to Glacier Point – which I had never visited

And met up with Boz to kick off the fun

The shaded valley just to the North of Half Dome is Tenaya Canyon

Evening light as we make our way back down to the valley to drop one of the cars at the exit point

Gearing up in the early AM

The source – Tenaya lake in the distance

In late summer, there are just remnants of the rushing river that carved the canyon

We left any signs of a trail followed what was left of the water in the creek bed

Point of no return

Warning sign

Me standing above a huge granite bowl

Some water here and there still with a little trickle

Trying to spot some trout in the pools

Of which we saw a ton of brookies – will have to come back with a small rod next year

The going definitely started to get a little more tough as we got deeper into the canyon

And finally we could see our marker

The lone boulder was our guide for a safe decent deeper into the canyon

With a little bush whacking we got into position

Over a very steep 45 degree pitch

That lasted for almost 1000'

Boz making his way down

Some sections steeper than others and required the old boot scoot

Off the slab and into the talus field

And down to a great pool for a rejuvenating Sierra dip and lunch

Back on the river bed and looking forward to a little rock scramble & bush whack

Tough terrain the whole way

A quick photo op

Next to some old markings – here from S.L. Foster in 1909

And onto our first rapel 

Me dropping over the edge

And down to some emerald water

Boz high on the wall, making his way straight down

We were literally the only people for miles

More boulder navigating

And some down climbing

This place was big

One of the more picturesque rapels but also one of the more awkward ones

Boz making his way down to the water fall

After cleaning the rope it was time to get wet to meet up with Boz

The views were nothing short of spectacular

Boz through another hazardous section

Some scale – tall walls, big boulders and the sight slot

Felt like we were nearing the end of the canyon 

With majestic views of the valley in the distance

Only to have to navigate more tight spots

Boz making his way through

Boz tossing rope for our second to last rapel

Good bolts the whole way

Silhouetted Boz

Making his way down

And now on the final rapel

A slot canyon view down valley

After 10+ hours we met up with the Mirror Lake Trail

And after another mile or so were happy to look up and back at our marker

Once in the valley we were greeted by a bear who got these deer alert

Tired, the next day we took it easy with a small hike and a little sport climbing

It had been a while for me, but it was fun to lead this little one

Boz cleaning up for us

Back up to the road to enjoy some sunset beers

Another great moment with some of the last sun from Tunnel View

We awoke early on our final day to catch sunrise back at glacier point

It was a cold night and we were looking forward to the sun braking the ridge

A few cowboy campers get away with spending the night at Glacier Point

The first indication to us of The Meadow Fire

Light breaks the ridge behind half dome – see the smoke laying in the far South valley

A spectacular morning of light

Boz taking it in

Trees on the edge

One of my favorite shots from the trip

Morning light on the Geology Hut on Glacier Point

Sun's up and it's time to head on home