Introduction:
This is my first post, so I hope it all comes together for me.
First of all I would like to introduce myself, my name is Chris and I am a student at UC Merced. Although I live in San Diego.
Directions:
I got the directions from trials.com, and funny enough I ended up passing right by the entrance the first time, but I will blame my co-pilot for that, although the instructions could have been a little more clear. Basically, get on HWY 140 and head east(if coming from the west. But the only thng east is Yosemite so I don't think anybody would be coming from the east) You will be going through Mariposa and the trail starts several miles after.(Several as in I am horrible at guessing distances but I would have to say 8-10 miles) The turn off is at the BLM information center on the left hand-side. This is as the Hwy 140 is descending into the Merced River Valley. The 140 goes down the Mountains and is perpendicular with the river befor making a right then it travels parallel with the river all the way to Yosemite. The BLM Information Center is right before the road becomes parallel with the River. If you find yourself traveling parallel with the river you have gone to far. You then go down the driveway and travel for 100 yards up to the steel suspension bridge. Cross bridge and after another 50 or so yards make a sharp right up a steep hill and this is where the trail starts.
Note:There is a very mild trail if you continue straight rather than making that sharp right, known as the Merced River Road. Again if you find yourself traveling parallel with the river you have gone too far and are probably on the Merced River Road.
Vehicle Description:
4x4 I don't know the name of the package I think all of them at the dealership had diff lock, A-trac, and all that good stuff.
Bottom line: Broke college student = 0 modifications
On the Trail:
The trail guide says it is 15.4 miles, however we took many side trails which were a blast, however they are very narrow and lined with Manzinita, long story short my car is now very scratched up, and I hoping they will polish out.
The river:
This is right when we entered, again passing the turn to go up the burma grade. We missed quite a few turn-offs. But made for a good picture. This is actually on the Merced River Road.
The ascent:
Here you can see the switch-backs that wind up the trail. This is towards the top of the ascent.
Once we got up to the top we drove for a little while and came upon some unexpected views of the Yosemite Valley.
Both pictures are not the best quality, but this first one is of just El Capitan:
This next picture has half-dome in the upper right:
A few of the trail:
Tight!!
The steel suspension bridge you have to cross going in and out:
and finally my very scratched fj:
