The Pohono Trail turns eastward from the Wawona Road at Fort Monroe, eight miles distant from Yosemite. In the long steady climb of 1400 feet in the first two miles we cross two small mountain streams and near the top of the ascent pass about a quarter mile south of Old Inspiration Point (Alt. 6603), from which Yosemite was first seen by white men on March 21, 1851. The gently sloping trail now winds beneath the firs thru most luxurious gardens of wild-flowers. Shortly we cross Meadow Brook which, a quarter mile below, plunges over Widow's Tears. Trending northward about half a mile we now emerge at Stanford Point (Alt. 6659), one of the promontories of the south rim. From here, as from all other lookouts along the top of the great south wall, is a vast panorama. Retracing our path a short distance we turn to the left, cross another small brook, and climb 350 feet in the next half mile to Crocker Point (Alt. 7090). Closely paralleling the rim for another half mile we halt at Dewey Point (Alt. 7316), the imposing apex of one of the great granite buttresses. Cathedral Rocks and the Leaning Tower are here viewed from an unusual angle. To the northward El Capitan dominates the north wall and Ribbon Falls is most advantageously seen.
A long detour to the southeast now takes us into the Bridalveil Creek Basin. The trail bridge has been destroyed, but a foot-log is in place. Fishing is fair, but the trout are small. Turning again eastward we continue thru the fir forests, passing beautiful small meadows and wild-flower gardens until we again approach the canyon rim, which we follow northward for a short distance to The Fissures. These are great cracks only a few feet wide and hundreds of feet deep. Just beyond is Taft Point (Alt. 7503). From here is a wonderfully vast view, especially of the sheer 3500-foot precipices of El Capitan and Three Brothers on the north wall. Following eastward along Profile Cliff, our trail again enters the fir and lodgepole pine forest and leads across the gently sloping plateau about one mile to the Glacier Point Road. We here turn left and an easy walk of two miles takes us to the Glacier Point Hotel, where excellent accommodations will be found. The lookout point and overhanging rock are about 200 yards northward. For trail trips from Glacier Point consult Trail Trips 16 to 23.
TRAIL TRIP 19
GLACIER POINT TO WAWONA via ALDER CREEK TRAIL
(20.5 miles—7 hours)
This is one of the oldest trails in the region and was the main thorofare to Yosemite prior to the construction of roads. The "old timers" like to tell of the famous hostelries along the route—Clark's, Westfall's, Peregoy's and McCauley's—which have long since ceased to be. The trail is not of great importance from the scenic stand-point, but offers a short-cut between its termini. Throughout most of its course it is maintained in good condition.
From Glacier Point we follow the road southwestward about two and a half miles. A short distance beyond the Pohono Trail turn-off, our trail branches to the right and enters the fir and pine forest. In the next four miles we first climb over a low spur and then descend into the basin of Bridalveil Creek, where we cross the Glacier Point Road at Peregoy Meadow. This is a good camping place and forage is abundant. Fishing in Bridalveil Creek is rather poor near the road. Bearing southward, our trail emerges in one mile at Westfall Meadow, another good campsite. Passing across an almost imperceptible divide we cross the headwaters of Alder Creek and follow along the west side of its canyon thru a beautiful forest of western yellow pine, sugar pine, fir and cedar, part of which has lately been logged. About three and a half miles below Westfall Meadow is Empire Meadows, where feed is abundant and camp sites good. Fishing is fair but the trout are small. The nearest campsite downstream is at the creek crossing three miles further. Here there is a fair camping place but forage is scarce.
From this crossing Wawona is about six and a half miles distant. Rising a short distance above the stream, the trail follows the 5500-foot level detouring around the west flank of a well-wooded mountain. About three miles from the crossing, a trail to the right descends to Alder Creek Ranger Station on the Wawona Road about one mile distant. We now continue around the mountain, gradually bearing to the southeast. The trail in the last two miles is rather rough and zigzags abruptly down to the main road, which it intersects a short distance from Wawona Bridge. The hotel, store and postoffice are just beyond.