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.
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| From Tahoe, the best and nicely scenic route to Yosemite was over Tioga Pass which takes you right past Mono Lake |
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| A truly gorgeous place |
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| Once over the pass I got my first views of Half Dome and the valley we would be navigating the next day |
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| I headed up to Glacier Point – which I had never visited |
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| And met up with Boz to kick off the fun |
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| The shaded valley just to the North of Half Dome is Tenaya Canyon |
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| Evening light as we make our way back down to the valley to drop one of the cars at the exit point |
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| Gearing up in the early AM |
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| The source – Tenaya lake in the distance |
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| In late summer, there are just remnants of the rushing river that carved the canyon |
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| We left any signs of a trail followed what was left of the water in the creek bed |
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| Point of no return |
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| Warning sign |
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| Me standing above a huge granite bowl |
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| Some water here and there still with a little trickle |
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| Trying to spot some trout in the pools |
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| Of which we saw a ton of brookies – will have to come back with a small rod next year |
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| The going definitely started to get a little more tough as we got deeper into the canyon |
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| And finally we could see our marker |
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| The lone boulder was our guide for a safe decent deeper into the canyon |
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| With a little bush whacking we got into position |
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| Over a very steep 45 degree pitch |
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| That lasted for almost 1000' |
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| Boz making his way down |
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| Some sections steeper than others and required the old boot scoot |
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| Off the slab and into the talus field |
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| And down to a great pool for a rejuvenating Sierra dip and lunch |
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| Back on the river bed and looking forward to a little rock scramble & bush whack |
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| Tough terrain the whole way |
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| A quick photo op |
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| Next to some old markings – here from S.L. Foster in 1909 |
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| And onto our first rapel |
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| Me dropping over the edge |
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| And down to some emerald water |
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| Boz high on the wall, making his way straight down |
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| We were literally the only people for miles |
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| More boulder navigating |
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| And some down climbing |
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| This place was big |
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| One of the more picturesque rapels but also one of the more awkward ones |
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| Boz making his way down to the water fall |
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| After cleaning the rope it was time to get wet to meet up with Boz |
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| The views were nothing short of spectacular |
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| Boz through another hazardous section |
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| Some scale – tall walls, big boulders and the sight slot |
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| Felt like we were nearing the end of the canyon |
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| With majestic views of the valley in the distance |
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| Only to have to navigate more tight spots |
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| Boz making his way through |
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| Boz tossing rope for our second to last rapel |
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| Good bolts the whole way |
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| Silhouetted Boz |
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| Making his way down |
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| And now on the final rapel |
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| A slot canyon view down valley |
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| After 10+ hours we met up with the Mirror Lake Trail |
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| And after another mile or so were happy to look up and back at our marker |
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| Once in the valley we were greeted by a bear who got these deer alert |
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| Tired, the next day we took it easy with a small hike and a little sport climbing |
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| It had been a while for me, but it was fun to lead this little one |
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| Boz cleaning up for us |
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| Back up to the road to enjoy some sunset beers |
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| Another great moment with some of the last sun from Tunnel View |
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| We awoke early on our final day to catch sunrise back at glacier point |
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| It was a cold night and we were looking forward to the sun braking the ridge |
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| A few cowboy campers get away with spending the night at Glacier Point |
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| The first indication to us of The Meadow Fire |
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| Light breaks the ridge behind half dome – see the smoke laying in the far South valley |
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| A spectacular morning of light |
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| Boz taking it in |
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| Trees on the edge |
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| One of my favorite shots from the trip |
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| Morning light on the Geology Hut on Glacier Point |
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| Sun's up and it's time to head on home |
