Aug. 4, 2018 hike to Cooper Meadow (NOT Wapama Falls)

Historic ranch outbuilding and implements
 at Cooper Meadow

As you know, Yosemite, including Hetch Hetchy -- where we were supposed to hike on Saturday -- has been closed due to the Ferguson Fire.  We have a Plan B, though:  Cooper Meadow, east of Pinecrest.  I chose Cooper Meadow because the difficulty and distance is similar to what we expected for the Wapama Falls trail.  With just about a 500’ elevation increase, it’s fairly level.  While Wapama is moderately-easy, Cooper Meadow is definitely moderate due to elevation (around 8400’) and distance (7.25miles).  As far as the smoke goes, we’ll just have to hope for the best.

 

Castle Peak & the Three Chimneys from
Cooper Meadow

If you have respiratory issues, please stay home on Saturday!  I hope you can join us, though, because I think you’ll fall in love with this trail.  We’ll walk through evergreen forest with stands of aspen (come back for the fall color) and a few minor stream crossings (these feed the South Fork Stanislaus headwaters).  We’ll skirt Horse and Cow Meadow where the vista opens up to the familiar but always stunning volcanic formations: Three Chimneys, Castle Rock, Eagle Peak.  At our destination, historic ranch buildings dating from the 1870s are nestled in vast, mountain-ringed Cooper Meadow (maybe green and flower-filled).

 

Bring insect repellant (“meadow” means “mosquitoes maybe”).  Wear a hat, sunscreen and layers.  Bring water and snacks/lunch.  On-leash dogs are welcome.  We should be back to Sonora by 5.

The trailhead for this hike is only about 50 miles from Sonora, but the last third is on unpaved forest roads.  Those without high-clearance vehicles are encouraged to ride-share.

 

Carpool/caravan info:

1^st stop/meeting point: Starbuck’s at the Junction in Sonora; meet at 7:45am; leave at 8am

2^nd stop/meeting point: Mi-Wok Ranger Station, Me Wuk Village; meet at 8:15; leave at 8:30

Or meet at the trailhead at 9:30am:  Coyote Meadows/Coyote Meadow Horse Camp Trailhead.  Take Highway 108 east past Strawberry; turn RIGHT on Herring Creek Rd and SET YOUR ODOMETER.  Herring Creek Rd. becomes 4N12 at 4.5 miles and becomes dirt at 5.5 miles then hits a “T” at 6.8 miles.  At the T turn RIGHT and go about .1 mile to a “Y” and stay RIGHT on 4N12.  At about 9.5 miles veer LEFT to stay on 4N12 (DO NOT go right onto 5N31).  At 11.3 miles turn RIGHT on 5N67 for about .6 mile.  Turn LEFT and park when you see the “Coyote Meadow Horse Camp” sign (12.3 miles from Highway 108).  Google Maps can take you there; get directions to Coyote Meadows, CA 95364.  Use a paper map and these written directions as a back-up!