(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.