Yosemite National Park
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Tenaya Creek Waterslide Overlook Yosemite National Park |
June 20, 2016
On my way over to the Eastern Sierra to visit an ailing hiker friend, I hope to knock off a couple of items on my bucket list. First on the agenda is a visit to the Tenaya Creek Waterslide, which is not mentioned in any park brochure.
Starting up the Sunrise Lakes Trail
According to others, the idea is to start up the main trail, then veer south at some point and head down Tenaya Canyon east of the creek. Immediately, however, I encounter a problem; part of the route is under water!
Waterproof boots required
Crossing on the rocks is out of the question, because I seem to
have packed only some non-waterproof boots for this trip.
How stupid! Of course, I could simply remove them and walk
across; but I opt for Plan-B. I'll just head down the
west side of Tenaya Creek instead and see what happens.
The meadow is soggy
Another trail leads all the way from here to Yosemite Valley via Olmsted Point and Snow Creek Canyon. I follow it for a few minutes, then turn south into the forest after bypassing a big wet area.
Tenaya Creek
The cross-country going is very easy in here, with virtually no change in
elevation. In just one spot I am compelled to rock-hop a tiny
tributary. Crossing the big creek looks problematical, so I won't
bother. I'm having a good time on this side of it.
After a mile of effortless travel, the canyon narrows and its walls steepen.
The easy going is over
Not much farther on, my creekside traverse is terminated by a sign that was not unexpected; but is fun to find anyway:
The Park Service is weary of rescuing people in Tenaya Canyon
I certainly cannot end my trek here, though. Scrambling up about
eighty feet of slabs to the right looks straightforward enough, so I do
that. The effort is well-worth it once I inch my way over to
the edge of the cliff:
Upper Tenaya Canyon Rock Bowl
I am looking right down the surface of the cascade, which I know is there from other photos of the area. My one good eye is having difficulty in recognizing it, though.
This is why I go hiking
I need a better vantage point. There is some room farther south on this little dome. Along the way there is more to see.
Mount Hoffman (left-center) to the northwest
A big patch of exposed quartz
Ah, that's more like it. Now I can view the entirety of the principal attraction.
Tenaya Waterslide
This is where many (younger) folk actually get into the water and slide a couple hundred feet into the pool below. Of course, they must do this later in the season when there is less streamflow, in order to avoid being killed.
The slippery ride ends at the emerald pool
Judging from YouTube videos, a slide here actually seems to be an enjoyable experience. After plunging into the pool, everyone seems to be smiling, and no one is grabbing sore body parts.
Also on YouTube are videos of kamikaze kayakers braving the big cascade above the waterslide, which no one seems able to handle without capsizing.
The gorgeous Pywiack Cascade is around the far corner
Just another of those special Yosemite spots that are so near,
yet so far ⇔
On the way back, the scenery will change.
On the left is Medlicott Dome, which I plan to visit shortly
A garden of Jewel Flowers, Mountain Pride, and Paintbrush
Nice reflection
Despite the color, the water is crystal-clear
My route back varies slightly; but it doesn't matter. Presently I run into the anticipated trail, somewhat west of where I left it.
The ground is solid green
Back on track
Tenaya Peak overlooks the lake
§: What an enjoyable little outing, and it's not even eleven
o'clock yet! Also, I learned a lot regarding an obligatory
follow-up visit. Next time I will go later in the season
and remain on the east side of the creek, so as to get all the way down
to the waterslide itself. If I am lucky, I'll catch some daredevils
doing their thing and take some action photographs.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Adventure | |
| Solitude |  |
