Sierra Point - the Lost Trail of Yosemite.
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Once a popular trail, but damaged by rock falls in the 1970s, the trail to Sierra Point was never repaired and gradually forgotten. Thanks to the internet, it is gradually being rediscovered. But this is no longer an easy hike and you'll need some cross-country hiking experience to tackle it.
Trail GPX track. I can't guarantee accuracy, use it as reference and at your own risk: iamatraveladdi...
360 VR companion video of the hike down: • Video
Cameras used:
Nikon Z7ii: amzn.to/3wQuz23
GoPro Hero 10 Black: amzn.to/3tT202e
DJI Pocket 2: amzn.to/3iVDUxn
Insta360 One X2: amzn.to/36ibivE
I used this trail several times in the 50s. Unusual views.
I have been up to Sierra Point in the days before GPS. It was okay (up hill slogging) until until we got up to the face, a narrow ledge we had to traverse while constantly looking up for rocks falling. I remember realizing this hike was too hazardous for the average hiker which is why the park service closed it. The view was spectacular. Well worth the effort. Notice I give no hints about where to find it. You have to figure out that one on your own.
It's a much more open "secret" these days thanks to the internet, but I agree it's not for casual hikers. That's why I had that pretty strongly worded warning at the beginning of the video.
I discovered this trail by accident many years ago. After a failed plan to climb Snake Dike on Half Domes Southwest face. There was a crowd of parties at the base and I had previously noticed the area were the trail goes as a possible alternative to the standard approach for the backside of Half Dome. It proved to be a great hike and coming across the old trail made the end of a long day a little easier.
Another old trail I discovered was the original trail to Glacier Point, I believe it was called La Conte ? Point.. anyway it begins behind camp curry and ascends up and west against Glacier Point Apron. It is much quicker route than the Four Mile trail and offers several spectacular views. The gully that it follows is/was occasionally skied by people with better skills than me.
I hope you continue your videos
I've researched the old Glacier Point trail a few years back, might give it a try in the future. If I remember correctly, there's one gnarly section? I wonder what the trail looks like now after this winter, probably lots of erosion.
See my other comment but I'd say the Ledge Trail is not really worse than a Class 3 technically, but the upper half is extremely overgrown and currently has a creek flowing through it. The biggest danger is rockfall on the lower Ledge half. 3rd biggest killer in Yosemite when it was an official trail.
Bushwhacking is an understatement! Outstanding...thanks!
Thank you! It was worth the effort, though.
There's barely any bushwacking, at least not this time of year. It's well trodden.
Incredible. Thank you for sharing. I’ve heard of the trail, and was curious about it. I will not be going on it.
You're welcome!
Thank you for sharing. Definitely will be on our list next time we go to Yosemite
Have fun and be careful.
been there! the only directions that were given to me was to start at the rock piles and then head right. Scrambled around heading up and eventually found the old trail! Definitely worth it.
Glad you found it and got to enjoy it!
very well-done content, very professional, great edits.
Much appreciated!
I~ Enjoyed~ perfect edition- have a good day~ :)
Thank you! :)
Great Share. Adding to bucket list.
Thanks for watching!
I've been on the trail and loved it, although it was quite a slog up for the first bit, very slippery sand. The end made it worth it, though, amazing view.
Yup. The hard work makes the reward even more worth it!
Thanks for posting. Looks like a rewarding adventure. FYI, it's Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall (not Falls).
Cool, thanks
pretty sure the 4 mile trail to glacier point or the upper falls trail to the top of yosemite falls or the mist trail would all be rated vastly superior to this thrash to a minor nubbin for the view. Rare Yosemite spot though to be sure.
It’s something new to do with a cool view. Who hasn’t done Yosemite falls and glacier point a million times lol
@@nickv3085 Yes, but it's titled the best view in Yosemite and that is quite debatable. Can't compare this one to the top of Half Dome or North Dome for that matter. :)
I kept saying "Wow!" while watching this. Great scenic video, what did you use to shoot this? Well done!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. I just held a GoPro.
The ledge trail is another closed trail. High exposure. Class 3 scramble. But I would never go down it. Just up. Maybe the most deadly trail in Yosemite.
Thanks! I'll look into it.
As of two weeks ago it's getting real bad. Very loose on parts of the "ledge" lower half, but worse is how overgrown the upper gorges are, hiding loose rocks, and obscuring much of the orange paint trail markers. Could be real bad kicking stuff loose if you weren't solo like me. It's returning to nature. Rockfall was the original threat and I didn't experience any, but there was fresh debris. I wouldn't recommend it unless you just have to "because it's there". And definitely don't attempt downhill!
Sierra Point was well trodden and easily followed. Well worth it if you're comfortable with Class 2+ scrambling! The lower part has turned into a web of use trails, but it gets better defined toward the top.
@@csn583 yes, kicking rocks down is a real safety issue. I was with another person. If I recall, was concerns with the loose stuff just before the turn up the shute. At the time, had no idea about the big drop off. Loosing footing here can spell disaster. The shute was not so overgrown when climbed. If coming down the shute and lose footing, you will go sailing off. When I did it, took the 4-mile down. I only read about this trail from a retired ranger who accounted for all the deaths in Yosemite up into the 1950-60. I think the book called Death In Yosemite or something like that. This trail was #1 and reason they closed it. Really the should just make safer like sierra point which haven’t done. Hard to go to Yosemite these days. Too many people and rules. I do mountaineering so like the challenge for these routes. You should try Mt. Star in the backcountry. If really into it, go South down to Mt Whitney area. Mt. Russell is a class 3 knife edge with 1000ft drop on each side. But Yosemite had so much to offer. Too bad so crowded . Regards
Got lucky up there once ;)
😉👍
with a bear ?😀
@@markvanderstelt8999 guess the only women you know are in 10 second clips lol
Eagle Tower (Not the same as Eagle Peak)
Thanks for pointing that out.
Hello! I'm trying to find your gpx file on your website but to no avail
Did you send me a message on Facebook? If that's you, please check your message.
@@IAmATravelAddict got it! Thank you!
There's a Strava segment that doesn't follow the trail well, but if you look at who has completed it, you can see their routes. It's also just quite easy to follow visually, though it's a web of use trails near the bottom.
It's against the law to fly a drone a a national park
You're correct, but not sure why you're commenting on this video since no drone was used while making this video? 🤷♂️🤔
@@IAmATravelAddict Hard to understand how some of those shots were made without a drone.
@@allanfifield8256 amzn.to/43QU41L
@@allanfifield8256 watching the video again, I assume you don't know about 360 camera?
@@IAmATravelAddict Thank You. I am corrected.
good way to get snake bites
Yup, have to watch out for that.
Better stay at home on the couch then.