The Ledge Trail...the secret route to Glacier Point "Deadly"
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- Опубликовано: 4 июн 2024
- Here is my short film on the Ledge Trail Yosemite National Park. This is a short but difficult hike. I do not recommend anyone hikes it. But if you do...I hope this video helps you make it safely.
Corrections:
According to a few viewers the trail was closed in the 30’s bit 20’s
The book is actually called “off the wall”
Here is link to the book mentioned..
amzn.to/3KKxyik
here is a link to the water filtration system i use on most hikes amzn.to/3x7152N
Disclaimer
Personal Responsibility: Our videos are intended to entertain and inspire fellow hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents, injuries, or damages that may occur as a result of individuals attempting to replicate our experiences or follow our suggestions. It is essential that you exercise personal responsibility and make informed decisions based on your own capabilities and circumstances.
Dude, with every shot I see of you walking I just think, "damn now he has to go back down and get the camera." Makes this video even that much more impressive!
If you like it hike it twice lol.
I read about this trail back in the 1970’s, that’s also when I found out about the beautiful Sierra Point Trail, the only place to see four waterfalls at one time!
Maybe there was an unseen companion, with the camera..
@@bradlyscotunes9156Somehow I don’t think that anyone else would dare try that route to Glacier Point.
Literally, dude goes I would never walk down this part of the trail and proceeds to leave the camera for the epic shot. Oh well gotta love it such a sick video.
Your film is a keepsake for me, personally. I never knew what or exactly where I had climbed years ago, until I saw this. Thank you for this marvelous effort.
On a summer camping trip, out of Virginia, I dragged a girlfriend up this hike in 1978. Neither I nor especially she had an idea what we were in for. We never saw a marker, we just looked up from the valley and thought "yeah, that looks do-able". We were surprised by the difficulty, but committed to the summit, and ranged around probably on and off the route.
Ending up too tired to hike the alternate trail down, we hitch hiked back to the valley floor. A personal epic, which lived only in my memory till now.
That’s really cool. That reminds me a lot of my own experience on the trail.
I loved the video. And what made it really great were the "You are here" shots.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow that was a great story! I am no longer able to attempt this extreme adventure, and after watching this I am grateful that you did this for us ! Thank you !
I was a dirtbag in 1972. Lived in a tent for a year. Bev Johnson was the ranger who collected from those camping there. Because I was part of the rescue camp (with John Dill), she would not charge us. Best year of my life. Old school techniques, pitons. I was only 18 years old and did the triple direct route on El Cap. Failed on 3 attempts before I did it. Amazing climb.
Met and climbed with a lot of the now famous climbers of the “Golden Age” as it is now referred to. It was a magical year for sure. Free and easy. Rangers did not act like cops on the hunt. Climbing was pretty much unregulated and not really a sport like it is today. There was no such thing as a “climbing gym”. We all worked out hard but in a very different style. Our gear was archaic by today’s new toys and tools. No such thing as a cam device. On a big wall, we carried a LOT of heavy steel pitons and the climbing was slow. We needed a lot of water too which was heavy. Porta ledge? No such thing. We slept on a ledge of a flimsy hammock. All together, I spent about 15 days on the face of El Cap in 4 attempts. Only succeeded on the last try. 3 injuries that required difficult raps. No rescue, we saved ourselves.
@@arboristBlairGlenn I was just thinking it's a shame cameras weren't more prevalent at the time, but then I thought, no, just as modern gear has changed the experience, making movies would have changed the experience for you all as well, and probably not in a positive way.
@@civmar1 funny, I remember that secret place mentioned but never was invited ✌🏼
We were there in those same years, early to mid 70s.. I asked YTV and I'll ask you, too: A Curry employee told me about a backcountry spot he called Shangri-La. Know where that is? I was too out of it to ask for details! He talked about it having interesting rock formations. Unusual for YNP, I know.
@@thomasyates3078 I had a Minolta set 101 film camera but film and developing was expensive so not a lot of photos. Glen Denny was the primary climbing photographer back then.
Awesome video, I lived and worked I Curry Village in 97. Best summer job ever.
My mother and aunt did this as teenagers back when it was open, probably late 1930s. Mom said it was terrifying and crawled at times (with her sister encouraging her on)! I searched extensively and finally found an 1918 Yosemite topo with the trail indicated.
Really? That’s fascinating. It’s been hard to get accurate info on the history of this trail. Your mom and her sister are badass
Looked like steep class 1/2 bushy beautiful slog. Any route in national park like Yosemite that avoids all the people seems AMAZING!!!! Cool vid thanks.
Thanks, it was a day I’ll never
Forget. Glad you made it safely
Great vid! It's been on my radar for several years! Thanks for taking us along!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Did you record it for exact GPS coordinates?? Thanks!
That was very interesting! Really enjoyed this! Take care!!
OUTSTANDING presentation young man! Brings back MANY good memories of dirtbagging and working in Yosemite. 1977-78 SanJan...Curry Village...
I’m San Jan in tekoya
This was a rad adventure, I am trying this in a few days, very helpful video!
There’s no way I can hike like this, but I love Nature & Yosemite. Thank you so much for making these videos & sharing these beautiful sceneries. 🙏🏻❤️
Glad you like them!
Congrats on your climb and great video. I still remember the orange arrows! I did the ledge trail in the spring of ‘89 with a full pack. GP road was still closed so we spent the night in the geological hut. Came down 4mi trail the next day. Still ranks as one of the most epic hikes I’ve done in Yosemite.
Its not a climb. And it's not an epic. Why scare people?
I go to Yosemite every late Feb, this year it was snow covered and it looked like a fairytale. That last footage you showed was simply beautiful. Thanks for a great vid. 🏔️
Awesome hike. The last steep section up looks like a real butt kicker. I'd never attempt this one, but I appreciate you taking us along for the ride. Stay safe out there!
Before the GP Hotel burned down, the workers lived up at GP, some w children. The school kids walked down this trail to school..which was across the valley near Yosemite Falls. They walked back up in the afternoon. Hard to believe what good shape these kids were in! Five days a week. What a great video Pal! Thank you for giving us this. What a man.
They don’t make em like they used to. Thanks for watching
An amazing journey, bravo and thank you 🙏🏼
Thanks for coming along
FINALLY someone made a new video of this hike! Now I don't have to lol! You did a great job!
More to come!
Good advice to not go down. That looks deadly. Thanks for this video.
That was very,very, well done the hiking, the filming, the narration and the very pleasing musical interludes.
Thanks, lots more adventures to come
What a fantastic video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome hike. I have eyed that route for years (decades, actually) thinking it should be doable but never having the guts to try it. I never knew it was once a recognized trail. Well done. Got to live it vicariously, at least. I know that calf cramp from a few marathons years ago. It takes hold and won’t let! Again, Bravo.
You can do it!
Very Dramatic!
Did this hike years ago and it was a challenge in the canyon up for steepness. Some spot going up were dangerous where if slip can fall off. Just take those with care. Took 4-mile down. Yes, never go down ledge. I believe the deaths occurred going down at the turn and go off the falls. I too own the ranger book deaths in the valley.
Been doing the trail since I was a kid. Now 75 and have fond memories. Come from a family of Yosemite employees. Trailhead behind cabin 82a/b. Last time up was in 1990. Went up with brother. Did a lot of bushwhacking. We knew where the ducks were. The climb is class 2 in places and will blow your knees out if you are not in climbing shape. Be careful on the shale. Take water and protein. DON'T DESCEND. Use the 7 mile trail. Takes a full day.👋👱♀️🇺🇲
Thanks for watching. Indian canyon coming next
I've hiked this trail 3 times; the first time in 1968, with my girlfriend (and later to be my wife) and the last time in 1983. We started by the tent cabins in Curry Village at the base of a large rock slide. The slide started at tent cabin 108 (old numbering system). At the top of the slide we began to see the orange and yellow paint marks on the rocks before the sign shown at time marker 5:25. Just past the sign began the scramble up the apron. Footing was very tricky as there were places where no traction was available in spots and we were poorly prepared footwear wise. We were following the paint past Staircase Creek/Falls. The big tree above the turning point we called "Turning Point Tree" The trail up from there was so overgrown that we usedended up using old wires from probably from either communications or electrical lines to pull ourselves up the rest of the way. The trail intersects with the Four Mile Trail near the top and the sign at time marker 12:16 marks said intersection. There was an arrow pointing down the Ledge Trail in that orange and yellow paint with the date "1963", which told me that the trail was marked at that time. Interestingly enough, the paint on the trail could only be seen when going up hill. After my first ascent of the trail, I went to the visitors center and was directed to a research library within the NPS adjacent building to seek information on the trail. I found out that the trail was 1.75 miles in length and climbed 3200' from Curry to Glacier Point, and was comprised of mainly steps. It was designated as a one-way only trail (up) because of the poor footing and that if anyone lost their footing, there would be no stopping them on the trip down. That, in fact, did happen in 1958 when someone slipped near the top and took out another hiker further down. The second time I went up, it was with a couple of park rangers who had heard about the trail but didn't know how to access it in 1970 or so. The last time i went up with a friend, we found most of the paint marking at the Turning Point Tree and it was a bit easier to negotiate, but from the first warning sigh to the turning point, the trail past Staircase Creek had detoriated to the point that I knew that 1983 would be my last trip up that trail. Great video; it brought back a lot of good memories.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for all the historical info. It’s really hard to get accurate information on trails like these
@@yosemite-tv: If you still actively hike old trails out of the valley, there’s one that goes from behind the hospital, up Indian Canyon, and connects with the North Dome Trail. It follows a creek up to a group of three steel ladders and follows an old fat communication cable. It was probably a maintenance trail. When we met the North Dome Trail, we elected to go west and come down the Yosemite Falls Trail (127 switchbacks). We could have gone east and come down the Snow Creek Trail. Another cool unknown trail.
Pretty impressive hike, even more so since you're filming so you had to walk back and forth to get the shots. It's funny getting to the top and having regular folks who drove up there... National Parks are an interesting juxtaposition of different levels of hikers/backpackers and regular tourists.
An amazing post - don't miss the stellar time lapse at the end! First post of your's I've seen and very, very well done! I've never been to Yosemite. Thank you for taking us for those that will never be able to hike this truly amazing place. Best from Colorado!
Many thanks!
Man that hike looked awesome wish I had money to travel and see more stuff like this! I guess I’m lucky RUclips exist 😅
Love videos like this...
More to come!
your lucky yt acknowledges the reactions and recommend it for people. u deserved it, good video keep it up
I appreciate that
I love how you came out just a couple months ago and are publishing such awesome and creative content. I do landscape photography in the area and it’s always great to learn about new places in the park even if I never visit some of them :)
What’s crazy is I’ve been doing this stuff for years and instagram has showed me zero love…im taking a break from stills and focusing on RUclips to promote my photography later.
GREAT VIDEO! A memory almost forgotten. In the mid 50's while in high school a date and I and some friends hiked up the ledge trail, had lunch at the long-gone Glacier Point Hotel and returned to the valley by the 4-mile trail. We were all camped at camp 11, now known as Upper Pines. The trail at that time was identified as closed and dangerous. We found it well marked with the orange arrows which were easy to follow. Not nearly as overgrown as in your video. Several years later when I worked for the Curry Company in the park, I participated in actually pushing the real fire fall off of Glacier Point. I visited Yosemite every year of my life from 1 yr old to 75. Last visit 4 yrs ago was disappointing with the busses, crowds and rude foreign tourists. Planning to visit again in Sping 2025 (If I live that long and can get a reservation)
That’s an awesome story. This trail has the best history. I hope you make it back soon
Come in April before the crowds get crazy
That takes some guts man. I worked for YCS in the early 2000s also. I never did that hike, but I knew others that did. Very cool.
Thanks, lots more on the way
My parents did the ledge trail in 45 or 46 BEFORE they were married in 1946. My mom beat my dad to the top, and beat him to the bottom of the trail. That was the clincher. They were happily married for over 65 years👍. Yosemite our family favorite spot since then.
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching
Cool. I have the first snowboard descent in 97 down half and the continuation Le Conte gully.
One of the few abandoned trails in the park I have yet to try. Unfortunately I no longer live in the state. It'll be on my list for sure next time I'm out there.
I worked in Yosemite 81-85. Scrambled up Glacier Point Apron until the angle got too extreme. Lived in a cabin below Glacier Point winter 81-82. Ice falls on Glacier Point sounded and felt like earthquakes. Autumn 1981, the raccoons were starving and overpopulated. They would try to get in our tent cabins even when we were inside, Employee Housing NPS, Yosemite Village area.
Worked in Curry Village and lived in a "WOB" (without bath; cabin)1977-1978. Did my first body recovery right there! Paid by the Fed Gvmnt to lead the rescue rangers to the fallen victim & transport him down. TRUE
Do you remember a painter named Skeeter B?
@@martyspargur5281 Negative Worked for Tommy & ?
Was the place you lived called the Terrace? I lived there for a bit.
@@vilicus77 I believe "the terrace" was the camp area where the platform tents were. Some of my co-workers lived there. I lived right behind the Sports store/ snack bar in cabins (3/4" thick walls, no insulation and an oil drip heater) called WithOutBaths.
Thanks for all the info man. Pretty serious hike. Get well brother
Thanks, will do!
awesome vid, looks like a proper enjoyable adventure. subbed!
Thanks for the sub!
Congrats on the hike! Very entertaining video!
Its not a climb!!! Its a hike.
@@skipgaynard4045 My bad hike* 😭
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video, and awesome trail. YT is littered with what i call "influencer hikers", who take you on a 2 mile walk on a beaten trail. Content like this is refreshing and interesting.
Well said!
Very nice video, wonderful shots of the valley and waterfalls. Having to go back to retrieve the camera must have been a chore. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks!
It’s not ridiculous to achieve your goal of a continuous foot path. This is a once in a lifetime endeavor-do it to your satisfaction. I’m lovin’ this hike
Great video. Does not seem very difficult but very lonely.
The one and only time I’ve been to Glacier Point was in June 1979. We were the only ones there for an hour or two. Just a parking lot then. Now you can get ice cream and more I guess.
Wow i can only dream of this ❤
Like the closed trail on sierra point, it would be nice if they opened up ledge with the safety features and less scrambling. Seems like a nice project for those like making trails. This would be popular. Same for sierra point. Likely never happen since the park service is too conservative, no money, and don’t want the liability. But there are a lot of trails potential unsafe for careless hikers. These were once trails for a reason. Reopen them.
Nice. been there done that about 15 years ago on a misty October morning. Hiked down the alternate route. Wish I still had it in me.
Very cool!
I lived in the park 09’ to 16’ one of my friends around 2011 hiked up during winter and snowboarded down the ledge trail! I’ve never done it
Beautiful day l didn't know about this trail. Now you want me to go try it😅😂
this past winter was pretty good. i went in early may and it was still snowing at least 8 inches
I got two more ideas for videos in Hetch Hetchy! Top of Kolana Rock to show spools of anti-aircraft cable placed there during WWII, and top of Tueulala Fall in spring to price that it’s watershed is actually just an overflow from Wapama Falls creek. Looking forward to more vids. 👍🏼
Noted k
That is one awesome classic route. I'm in suspense about the poison oak conclusion? That would be a serious deterrent for some people, especially if it were unavoidable. Thanks.
I didn’t get poison oak on the hike thankfully. It probably was just another plant I’m unfamiliar with. But I’m bot 100% sure
@@yosemite-tv It's not the right habitat or elevation for PO.
Congratulations to you, great job. Probably electrolytes are out of whack with your calf cramp if you were only drinking water, mixing in some sports drink powder (Gatorade or something like it) would probably help.
What an adventure... love the timelapse! PS: I found asking around and offering sightseers 10$ for a ride down works to get a ride pretty quick.
What's wrong with people, give a hiker a ride for pete's sake
Not a trail I would want to do. Brutal.
Cudos to you my friend. Not many people would attempt this. It's either all in when you start or don't do it.
Yeah, I highly “don’t “ recommend it lol. But if you can’t resist watch this first. Also wear a helmet
Magnesium helps for cramps as well as drinking a lot of water. Very nice video, enjoyed it.
Thanks for the tip!
@@yosemite-tv Take magnesium in gel pills, about 400 mg each day a couple of days before this type of hyke and on the day of the hyke. Take more water than you think you'll need and drink often!! if you have a cramp, immediately take the opposite position with your leg, i.e; if you're standing, lie down. If you're in your tent or resting, raise your leg vertically or stand up. This helps get rid of cramps. (speaking from experience:).
we just did the Indian canyon creek trail, (end of May) which I thought was way more difficult due to skeeters, oak brush, manzanitas, and river crossings. as opposed to the Ledge trail. Just follow the telephone cable most of the way and navigate around Lahamite creek canyon. LOL we had shorts and t-shirts on and my legs were scratched tf up!
looks like you had fun but dehydrated yourself (cramps) drink some electrolytes next time and stretch on the way up, and you'll be fine.
Indian Creek is next on the list. Thanks for the intel. There is not a lot of info available on the web.
Scrambling is the best kind of hiking, off the beaten path.
That was a damn good video, hope your calf recovers soon🐬AMOR FATI🕶
Thanks, I’m testing it tomorrow
This randomly popped up in feed which is amazing, because a year a ago my 9 year-old son (an avid climber) and I hiked the ledge trail in about 90 minutes, it was fairly straightforward and as long as we avoided the obvious rockfall areas, it was a breeze. We also hugged the perminter in the willow thickets and it was easy hiking. But I can see how those who are not used to light scrambling might get winded. overall a great day capped with a pleasant lunch at the point. We hiked back down the route we took up in around an hour - not sure why you were so concerned with the descent. No idea how newbies can fuck up so badly on this short intermediate hike!!
The way he narrates and choice of music sound like he telling a murder mystery. Lol
Exactly
Dude, I love this kind of off-trail path. Sorry about your calf. However, I do suggest that you come to PNW's Columbia River Gorge NSA. Check out the Table Mtn on the Washington side from North Bonneville TH. The two paths up the summit are: Harder and Hardest. Best of luck!
Maybe I’ll make it up there one day, right now I have work to do in Yosemite. Thanks for watching
Awesome video. New sub! Also, what kind of hiking pants are you wearing? I need a dedicated pants!! Thanks
686 everywhere pants
❤😊
The book you mention is actually called “off the wall: Death in Yosemite.” There is another one titled over the edge but is about the Grand Canyon. 👍🏻
Yes thank you, I’ve added a link to the correctly titled book in my description
Great work. Did four mile trail 2 weeks ago. I didn’t even know the existence of this trail until your video. Is it against park rules to do this ledge trail?
I’m not sure actually, a ranger would probably have the authority to turn you around if you ran into one on the trail. But I’m not sure if they actually would.
Wow!! Amazing video. Thanks for sharing. Like 👍378 & subd
Thank you too
Just curious, did you filter the water from the creek?
Yes, I don’t like to pack water so I drink dirty whenever I can
If you look closely at his water bottle there is a sawyer filter attached 😊
I did this trail on 2012 and again in 2018 but did the other side, I want to do this side this year hopefully, I think someone got lost on that trail last year when I was there (housekeeping) ranger was saying, because I heard helicopters going up around the valley.
Have you done the trail up Indian Canyon Creek on the other side of the valley?
It’s next . Just waiting for my leg to get better
Thanks for sharing. I got a calf cramp 30 seconds into your video. 😮 I was wondering if you got gassed at any point...aside from the calf cramp. I hope all is well.
I was gassed the whole hike lol
Spellbinding!
FYI...The thing you call "rock fall" is properly called a "Talus slope".😉
Was it poison oak? I climbed the 4 Mile Trail 5-21-24 and got a ride back to the Valley. I asked the first older couple walking back to their car in the parking lot and they were happy to help me out.
hahah "climbed"
I mean, the horror movie soundtrack? Can't believe the trail markers are still legible.
Love the vid! You call it “halfway up the hill” Lmao….it’s def a F’n mountain. Great job tho!
Thanks for watching
How long did it take on the way up?
A while because of the way i film
But a hiker in good shape can knock this out in 2-3 hours
I went up there once looking for new or long forgotten rock climbs. I saw the sign, kept going and made it up to that switch back. I did not know there was any history here. I turned around because there was clearly nothing worth climbing and it was also a clearly dangerous place to be.
Yeah it really has an amazing history. I’m learning more about every day from viewers and comments. Thanks for watching
Nice vid! Was it poison oak?
I don’t think so. I didn’t come home with anything but mosquito bites
Thankfully
Good one. A description from a you tuber talked about a section of very loose marble-like talus. You were able to avoid it? Also...a Curry employee told me about a backcountry spot he called Shangri-La. Know where that is? I was too out of it to ask for details!
I’ve never heard of it…but I’ll find out
Thanks
He’s telling the truth. I used to do drugs with that homeless guy. And Zoe is our love child.
Used to do drugs lol…
Looks like no shortage of poison oak!
Kept waiting for the sketchy part?
Class 2 at best. :P
If you really want to die try North Dome Gulley. Don't say I didn't warn you that death was a possibility. There usually is a fixed rope at the 4th class part.
What's your estimate for the distance and gain?
About 2 miles up and 3000’ gain
Hard to calc the distance the way I film
If you're looking for the 'better' hike to Glacier Point, is it this one or Four Mile? I loved the views going up Four Mile and don't mind that distance even combined with Panorama Trail back down. There were a few different views on this hike but not sure its better from a scenic perspective.
Either way, interesting video, thanks for publishing!
The 4 mile trail is superior in every way. Do not hike this trail
Depends on your interpretation of better I supose
No, but it looks similar. I’m only itchy from the skeeters
Is it????
Anyone doing risky climbs should have to post a bond to cover rescue operations. The riskier the climb the
higher the bond.
That would be thousands of bonds everyday. Great idea !
@@yosemite-tv The sierra club would have to monitor the fund. That way only serious
hikers would consider demanding trails and
climbs.
Brilliant !
You are great at story telling but as someone who's a rock climber, backpacker, Ultra runner and skier this seems to be a bit (a lot) exaggerated on the dangerous level. But I guess that depends on the person you are and the sports you do outdoors.
Cheers
Exactly. I’m not a rock climber but I have completed some sketchy hikes over the years. This was not one or we are missing a lot of footage.
Narrator makes this out to be much scary than it actually is. Also if ya have a calf cramp spend the time THEN to stretch it out slowly THEN. Dont wait until the ice cream 😉
K
Difd that trail in the 50s when I was in grammer school
Interesting, was the warning sign there when you hiked it ?
I pay attention to warning signs hahah 🤣🤣🤣🤣 I HIGHLY VALUE MY LIFE hahah
Now I need to know what the natives were running from when they would 'Need to leave the valley floor quickly" and ascend up the Ledge trail???!!!
The white man! Lol
I go all the time. I’ve no desire to do such things.
That would be my luck, hiking/climbing up a treacherous goat 🐐 trail only to find I could've driven there in my truck
It’s not about the destination. It’s the journey that matters
Is that your pup at the end? Still alive?
That was my buddy hammer. He’s no longer with us unfortunately