.
. 
-ImagesMaps
Two
scrambles and a bonus on a beautiful pleasant day in Yosemite Valley. We
started by going up Cathedral Gully (Class 2) to the Cathedral Rocks ridge and
up to the top of Higher Cathedral Rock. First a steep but well-defined use
trail, then a fairly distinct rock hop up to the saddle. Despite the tree
cover, there were frequent enticing views of El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks (right
side) and Cathedral Spires (left side) on the lower section. Above the forest
there were continuous views of the steepness on either side of us. Also there
were climbers well up the routes on both sides. I chickened out on the short
bit of 3rd Class, partly because there was a 2nd Class walk-up next to it. It
was a nice easy scramble up to the top where we had lunch next to the sheer
drop above Middle Cathedral Rock. We went down the way we came up, and headed
for Happy Isles for Part 2.
After not completing
Illilouette Gorge two weeks prior, we made a
second attempt, after refreshment at the Happy Isles snack stand (A big thank
you to the employee willing to sell drinks after closing time, the lemonade hit
the spot!) We made good time until we got to the west wall projection about
2/3s of the way up, where the fairly rampageous Illilouette Creek was flowing
up against the wall
. When the water
goes down, it should be easy to get past, but right now it would require
technical climbing to cross above the water safely. We explored a bit along the
wall on the way down, passing a nice little waterfall and stopping for a snack
at a nice rocky bench where the mosquitos found us, so we headed down
quickly.
Once we got back to
the Horse Trail, we decided, since we had energy and light, to head up to look
at Vernal Falls, which was in good, if not excessive form...the Mist Trail
lived up to its name. We got back to the car right after 9pm, where we were
offered four nights at a valley campsite, which we had to turn down with great
regrets. And then back to the Bay Area.
Sunny, cool and breezy...about 30°F below normal temperatures!
A total of nearly 10 miles (4 miles at Cathedral Gully, and 6 miles near Illilouette Gorge), 4700 feet of elevation gain (2700'/2000') and about 9 hours trail time (<5 hours / >4 hours). Combined bunnyhike rating of 94 (58 + 36).
Cathedral Gully maps, route in blue and red
Illilouette Gorge maps, route in blue, fuchsia and red
