Cautionary Tale From The Past

[BlackMagicPanther]

I have gone back and forth about posting this for quite sometime. Primarily because it's a hard thing admitting to something you did that was pretty stupid. However, I believe that this story can help some budding young hikers avoid some very serious mistakes. It might save a life, as I almost lost mine on this particular day. The three year anniversary just passed and I figured it was a good time to share. On to the story:

It was August 5, 2006. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and I was enjoying my third trip to Yosemite. This was the first time that I had gone by myself and I was looking forward to doing anything I wanted without anyone else's input. I was there for a small hike, or maybe two and just enjoying a relaxing time. I brought along a pair of bananas, an apple and a couple of bottles of water totalling 64 ounces. I had just pulled in to Glacier Point and was taking a lot of pictures, when I noticed a trailhead that I hadn't come across before. It was heading southeast and the trailhead sign reads "Illilouette Falls 1.5." The measurement is in miles for our international readers. I thought to myself, "Self (I always think of myself that way, don't ask me why), a 3 mile roundtrip is a cakewalk. We have been there and we have done that many times in a lot of different parks. It might only take an hour."

As I stated I was only walking around taking pictures at this point, so I had left my water and food in the car. This will henceforth be known as Mistake #1. This is an absolutely beautiful hike. It is almost all downhill, and crosses some very nice terrain. There are quite a few openings in the sparse treeline that affords great views of the combination of Nevada and Vernal Falls. The Sequoia Redwoods are very pretty in their own right, and there is a lot of vegetation that is only a few years old after a fire that scorched this area quite a while ago. There is also quite a few of the nice rock formations that I have mentioned in a few other threads. This trail leads down and veers east toward the actual falls or it continues on southeast toward Buena Vista Peak and a lot of little lakes below it. Of course, I took the left to the east.

After only two or three minutes on the newest part of the trail the falls become visible. There is a little overlook that you have to be careful not to go too far out on or you're looking at a long drop to the bottom of the falls. Some may well survive it, but they'd be very seriously injured. The falls are really quite nice, and I have posted a picture of it in my "200th Post" thread. I sat there trying to get as many angles of the pics as I could and get a breather before heading up. As I was looking around I noticed that the trail continued down further than i thought. It actually went all the way down to the creek that feeds the falls, and I decided that I wanted to go down and take a look around since I wasn't fatigued at all from doing the 1.5 miles (this is actually inaccurate. I have a folder of pics that i have dedicated to the sign posts in yosemite not being accurate.) of downhill.

It was August, and the waterflow was pretty slim in the creek, but it still had a decent flow. The terrain was quite nice as it was predominantly large slabs of multi-colored granite that the water has smoothed out over the years. Taking pictures from the bridge over the creek was very nice. As I was looking at the other side of the bridge, I noticed there was another signpost over there, and my curiosity got the best of me. When I got over to the signpost, I was excited to see that it said Nevada Falls was less than 3 miles away (this is also innacurate). We are talking about being able to hike over to the top of my favorite view in the park. It wasn't even 9am yet. I wasn't tired, hungry or thirsty. In essence I felt great and the trail didn't seem that hard. I decided to take that walk. This will be henceforth known as Mistake #2.

The trail started out as a light grade up and was very pretty. I was extremely excited when I saw a bear print on the trail. It wasn't a big print at all, maybe a 4.5" print. The bear would only be a year and a half to two years old. More than likely it was already left by it's mother to fend for itself and wouldn't have any clue what to do if it encountered a human other than run away so I wasn't worried. It was my first print in Yosemite that wasn't small game or a deer and the first bear print I had seen since I hiked in Mt Rainier in 2004. I didn't do much to follow the track simply cuz there was a lot of bush off the trail and I did have some time constraints, so I continued on. After about a half mile of trail, I came across a small game trail leading off the main trail. There were no human prints on it at all. I did however see the prints of a very big deer. The print was deep and defined and I figured it had to be really recent and I might be able to get a great pic of a prize buck, so I followed. I was paying more attention to the track than anything else, and I could see that the trail was coming to a crest, and would drop down from that point, but I couldn't see the next print. I was swinging my head back and forth scanning the ground, and just at the last second I realized that I was about to step off a cliff.

If you have never had a near death experience, I will try my best to convey. In the brief second that it took my brain to register the fact that I needed to step back and me actually taking the step back I thought only one thing, "Holy crap." Not as existential as I'd like certainly, but that was the only thing that popped in there. When I took that step back, the mind started working on the things I haven't done, the things I have done, the fact that there are far worse ways to die than doing something you love, and all of that took about 45 seconds of vertigo. After that 45 seconds, my first true thought was, "Is there a deer carcass down there." Like I said, I couldn't find that print anywhere, so of course I had to check. There wasn't a body down there, and believe me I checked thoroughly. I took a few pictures looking straight down, and I love looking at them as a reminder to be a little more careful. I learned later that this place is called Panorama Cliff. It is quite nice up there and has a great view of Merced River.

After all this excitement, I decided to head back to the trail and get on with my day. I got back to the trail to find that there were a few more people ahead of me now, and I looked back the way I had came. Remember, that I was only about two and a quarter miles away from Glacier Point, which meant food, water and a bathroom. At this point it was only about 10am, and I still didn't feel hungry. I was encouraged by the amount of water I had found in Illilouette Creek to where I would find a few creeks I could drink off, and I didn't truly need the bathroom. I decided that only about 2 miles to Nevada Falls wouldn't be a big deal, and so I continued on. This will henceforth be known as Mistake #3.

The Panorama Trail, which is what I was on now is very pretty. It has a really nice view of Yosemite Falls that you can't really find on the net anywhere. It's one of those things that if you aren't looking for it while you are on the trail, you are not going to see it. I look forward to doing the trail one of these May's when the water level will be high and I can get pics. You can also see views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls off and on. It has a couple of views of the cascades above it and unique views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest and Libery Cap. It really was one of the nicest trails that I have been on. It is also more uphill than I had expected. I was finally started to feel winded and I was starting to get drinks from the creeks that were flowing. I had been without water for about 45 minutes when I came across a very small trickle that was going across the trail. I followed it up and down a little to try and find a part where it was moving at any kind of pace and being "filtered" a bit by any kind of rocks that would clean the water a little, but no such luck. I should have sucked it up and waited to find something safer to drink from, but I couldn't. So, I took a drink. This will henceforth be known as Mistake #4.

I picked up a small virus from this little drink I took, but of course I didn't know it at the time. I moved on with this really nice hike. After about another 45 minutes I finally made Nevada Falls. It is really very beautiful up there. The views are great, and there is an overlook that gives a very good look of the water rushing out and over (there is a picture of this in my "200th post" thread). I decided to relax a while on the rocks by the falls. It was nice laying out and giving my feet a rest. The temperatures were good, and I came very close to taking a nap. I roused myself after about 20 minutes of this reverie and decided to look around. There is a trail that heads to Little Yosemite Valley and on to Half Dome which I took for about 5 minutes before deciding that it was a bad idea. There was however a bathroom there. Finally used the facilities. Just below the bathroom there was a trail that goes down the opposite side of Nevada Falls toward Vernal Falls. It looked like it was all downhill, and it was only a mile and a half. This will henceforth be known as Mistake #5.

What followed is the trail that I have cursed the most until I did the Yosemite Falls Trail last month. It is almost the same, lots of slippery rock covered somewhat in sand with very little spots to stop and relax with less spots for shade. It is this particular trail that spelled the end to my favorite hiking boots, which I have tried to replace with four different pairs in less than two years (fortunately, my trail runners from New Balance have been doing very well). I made it down the trail by about 3/4 of a mile before I had to give up. The trail was too steep, the temperature had risen now that it was afternoon and I needed water badly at this point. The closest source was back up, and of course I needed to head back to my car soon. This will henceforth be known as Mistake #6.

The climb back up required several stops. It was far more strenuous than I had expected to be on. In a lot of places I was having to climb with my hands before feet to make the next steps. I was done, and I still had a long way to go. This part took me about 45 minutes, and I was so happy when I got back to the top. I practically ran to the river to get a drink, but my feet by this time were killing me. It was such a relief to drink the cool refreshing water. I was using the water that was flowing heavily over the rocks to get it as clean as possible. I rested for about ten minutes before I got up enough energy to get moving toward the trail. Not a minute later and I learned that I picked up a virus from my earlier drink with, you guessed it, puking all the water out that I had just drank. I was at a point that I had never been in. I didn't have much choice but to head out as soon as possible and try to get back to civilization to figure out what was wrong with my stomach.

I was headed to my trail, when without warning my body simply crashed. Nothing locked up on me thankfully, but I simply needed to be off my feet. I found a large flat rock and laid down for a few minutes of rest. I woke up twenty minutes later. My body literally shut me down cuz it needed to reset. That had never happened to me before. I woke up kind of groggy, and the only thing I could think was get moving. I waited until I could get my bearings and started for my trail. It is not without a small amount of blushing that I admit I missed the turn for my trail because I was distracted by the great pair of legs and hind quarters of a pair of European young ladies that were in front of me. So, instead of being on the Panorama Trail back to my car I was on the trail down to Happy Isles. It is sad to admit I was out of it enough and the young ladies were impressive enough that I didn't realize this for a quarter mile or so. This makes me smile somewhat, but will henceforth be known as Mistake #7.

This mistake was actually a blessing in disguise. The trail is all downhill, which with how my feet and legs felt, I don't think I would have done very well uphill at all. As it was, I had to stop several times just to keep from falling down. There were quite a few people who were very nice to me on the way down sharing their water, but of course I couldn't keep it down. I will skip the gory details of what happened when I hit the bathrooms at the Vernal Falls bridge, but I will say that I had a guy ask me if he should try to find some help. After about another 45 minutes, I finally made the valley floor. It is a lovely thing that they have a small shack that sells ice cream, water and sodas as soon as you get near the bus stop for the valley shuttle. I bought a bottle of water, cuz at this point I still wasn't positive that my body wasn't just rejecting the river water and wanted something truly pure.

Hopped on the shuttle and sipped my water, even though my body desired large quantities. I knew that there was a shuttle bus that went up to Glacier Point from the valley floor and I knew that the tickets needed to be purchased at Yosemite Lodge. So, that was the stop that I made off the shuttle bus. Only to find out that I had missed the last bus up by just 20 minutes. I asked a couple of employees what I could do. I could either rent a room, go to curry village and try to get a tent cabin or trying and hitchhike up. Well, I asked them if I could get a pen and paper. They were kind enough to help me out and to this day I have the sign I made framed and on my wall as a reminder. It reads, "Glacier Point Please."

It only took about 25 minutes of me walking the main road out and a couple more times of puking for a very nice French couple in a minivan with their kids to pick me up. The ride was a lot of me trying my best not to throw up and explaining to them that they had missed the waterfalls by about 3 months. I promised the young lady that I would build a webpage for them of my pics of the falls from the previous months. Which unfortunately, due to the profiteering of a certain webhost that will remain nameless, will no longer exist after October.

I finally got to my car, and thankfully for the small acidic content in the apples core area, my stomach finally calmed down. I'm sure the potassium from the bananas helped as well. It took me a long while to actually put the bottle of water to my lips in fear of throwing it up again. Bliss was achieved when I took my boots off. There are few things as pleasant as being barefoot after doing 10+ miles. I finally fired my car up and headed home with no other issues. It was one of my more memorable days.

All of the mistakes are pretty self explanatory except for #6. If I had continued going down the trail I was on instead of going back up, I would have ended up at the Vernal Falls bridge that I ended up at hours and miles later without half the damage I did to my legs, feet and boots. I also would have made it down to the valley floor well before the buses up to Glacier Point stopped running, so I never would have had to hitchhike.

[raijin1]

Thanks for this, it was a good read. Brings back a few memories, reminds me a bit of a trip I took to Amicalola Falls park in Georgia some 10 years ago (This park is the south end of where the Appalacian Trail starts...)

I drove up there for a 1 day vacation, just planning to hike around and whatnot, get away from people. Anyways, for whatever reason I parked at the top of the mountain and hiked back down to the starter trail which leads to the falls. It was an easy hike down (maybe 2 miles?) on a beaten path and gentle grade. So at the bottom I took the main path to the base of the falls, but it ended in an observation deck some 50 meters from the actual base of the falls. Anyways, I noticed a small path leading further on, so when all onlookers were clear I jumped the railing (ignoring the don't climb over rails sign) and ventured on. On this path I walked through the body of an old car, thinking to myself WTF is this old car frame doing on the side of a mountain? I later found out that moonshine runners often ran their cars off the top of the mountain to avoid getting caught with the goods.

So I followed this winding half ass path towards the falls, and came across... another observation deck!!! It had collapsed, overgrown, and was very small (maybe 6' by 6') and had been closed off to the public for some time. I stomped on it a couple of times to make sure it was still stable... Then I pulled my towel out of my backpack, stripped off the shirt, threw on my walkman (the days before Ipods ), and layed out on the collapsed deck, soaking in the sun as the mist of the falls poured over me. I would be hard pressed to define a more peaceful moment in my life than that one - in that brief time I was away from every person and worry in my life. Sidenote - I have been back there since and they rebuilt that deck and opened up the trail to the public. Dammit, I wanted to go back to my 'private area' again one day...

But after lying about for an hour or so, I got the urge to move around again. The path down the mountain basically went about halfway down, then cut back the other way for the other half. In a moment of brilliance (or recklessness) I decided I would head straight back up the side of the mountain (where there were no paths) knowing I would eventually cross the upper part of the trail again. For the most part it was about a 30 degree grade I would say, but I hit several areas around 60 degrees or so where I was pretty much having to use trees and upper body strength to pull myself up. I accidentally kicked over a log, and there was a copperhead under it!! Yikes! So I scrambled away to a safe distance.

Eventually, I did hit the main trail again, and followed it back to the top and the lodge. I went in the lodge to use the facilities and change clothes, and got some strange looks from people. Mr. mercedes benz and his family didn't really know what to make of this guy walking in the door covered in mud and bleeding arms. Ah well...

It was definitely a reckless and somewhat dangerous adventure, but I would absolutely do it again. Thanks for inspiring me to tell about it. If I can ever get the opportunity to make it out to Yosemite, I will message you and hit you up for some tips and directions on the trails.

[BlackMagicPanther]

raij, good story. I have found my most gratifying hikes to be ones that I go off trail (note to self, post the off trail stuff you said months ago you were going to expound on). There seems to be a wonderful connection with being able to truly be away from people even if it is for a short amount of time. I once found an uncharted lake in Yosemite that I spent quite a while just sitting and meditating at. It's one of my fondest memories.

As I have read over my post I realize that I didn't list almost walking off the cliff as a mistake. Is it a mistake to be so engrossed in following a track? I can't really decide.

I think it might behoove all of us hikers to include a story in this post. You all know that you have made mistakes that you've learned from. I think I might include the barbequing my shoes story if we get some other good ones.

[joey9]

Originally Posted by BlackMagicPanther

[After passing out] I woke up kind of groggy...

I missed the turn for my trail because I was distracted by the great pair of legs and hind quarters of a pair of European young ladies that were in front of me.

This is one of the funniest stories I've read in a while. Thank you so much for sharing this.

It almost makes me want to leave my food and water in the car next time I go hiking. It sounds like you had one powerful lesson after another on this trip.