Yosemite Trekker @ thecityedition.com ----- Post #18 - June 15, 2010
Stopping for a dip in the river. The Happy Isles Bridge spans the Merced River not far from its source upstream.
Bike Trek 2 - East Side of Yosemite Valley
Cont. from Page 1After a three-quarter mile ride or so from Curry Village, you'll reach the Merced River where it's rapidly flowing across Happy Isles. This is abustling area of the park, since the trailhead for all the major High Sierra trails starts here. There's also a nature museum (on the side of the bridge before you cross), a restroom not far from the road, and of course, the Fen, which I got all emotional and gushy about in a previous post.
In other words, maybe think about taking a pit stop here, even if you just started your ride ten minutes ago.
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After crossing the bridge (see photo at top of page), you'll hook eastward and begin a long u-turn that follows the course of the Merced River. This is where you get to ride a downhill grade like it's the Giant Slolum. If you forget to veer left at the the Mirror Lake shuttle bus stop, you'll end up at the stables, the place where a couple hundred mules and horses pass their summer in an overcrowded pen.
If this happens, not to worry. Take another rest break and follow the little path to the right side of the stables. This takes you to the dog kennels. The trail continues on into a patch of woods where few tourists ever stray, so take a peak into the wild. You may find a bear or two lurking here, as there are a few old apple trees nearby.
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As you can see in the photo above right, the paved road veers off before the Mirror Lake shuttle bus stop. Take this turnoff and follow it for about 200 meters. Presently you'll see a bike path jutting off on your left side. This will take you back westward towards Yosemite Village.
I don't have a photo of that turn, but below left there's one of some riders who coming away from the Mirror Lake road on the route I mentioned.
This dedicated bike path (i.e. no parallel roadway) is my favorite in the valley. It's well maintained (no frost-heave) and a perfect way to start the morning, although I usually travle in the opposite direction, beginning behind at the Ahwahnee and heading east. While the area is not big for wildlife spottings and the scenery's not terribly remarkable, the ride has a more visceral and expansive feel simply because it's far from the car roads and hustle-bustle of the valley.
The photo below of Washington Column (close to North Dome) was taken off the bike path, along a fire road that connects it with the campgrounds. This is a very cool little stretch of dirt, so plan to detour down it a ways when you see the turnoff.
Continued on Page 3
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