GLACIER POINT TO CHILNUALNA FALLS OR JOHNSON LAKE _via_ THE BUCK CAMP
TRAIL
(15.5 miles--6 hours)
The old ~Buck Camp Trail~ connects Yosemite with the favorite hunting
grounds of the Chowchilla Tribe. It traverses a beautifully wooded
country but offers no startling scenic effects.
From ~Glacier Point~ we follow the road southwestward about six miles
to a junction, where our trail branches to the left. Bearing southward
we cross a small stream and traverse a rather flat lodgepole pine
forest, finally fording ~Bridalveil Creek~. Just beyond, and at a
distance of about two miles from the road, the ~Ostrander Lake Trail~
(Trail Trip 20) turns to the left. We continue southward, crossing a
tributary of Bridalveil Creek and gradually mounting the slope beyond.
As the trail turns southeast along the flat ridge, the wooded canyon
of ~Alder Creek~ is seen to the west. Two miles further on an almost
imperceptible pass is traversed. Just beyond is the source of one of
the northern tributaries to ~Chilnualna Creek~. This we follow for
about two miles to the main stream, where are good camp sites and
abundant forage. Fishing is fair but the trout are small. One mile
further is the main ~Chilnualna Falls Trail~. Westward one and a half
miles is the ~Chilnualna Ranger Station~, with good camp sites in the
vicinity, and a half mile further is the top of ~Chilnualna Falls~.
The trail eastward leads to ~Grouse Lake~ (two miles), ~Crescent Lake~
(three and a half miles) and ~Johnson Lake~ (four and a half miles).