THE MERCED RIVER FLOWING FROM LAKE McSWAIN
Sun rising Saturday morning, March 14th, 2016. Crossing the MERCED RIVER on the Hornitos Road Bridge on the way to visit an old friend.
I doubt I will ever attempt my fifth hike up to the top of Half Dome. Sure, I could be mistaken because I have learned a number of things in this life and one of them is this: NEVER SAY NEVER. More likely than not, my prior photo and digital images of past hiking conquests will have to suffice. I probably won’t be jumping out of any working aircraft with a parachute just for the experience again either. Three times without injury was sufficient to fill whatever I thought was lacking in my life at that time. Doubtful I will ever repair my old Nishiki Colorado 18 speed mountain bike and ride up to the decommissioned Penon Blanco fire lookout tower again and stay the night during a thunder and lightning storm. (Think it has been closed off anyway due to those who steal and vandalize property open to the public – always seems to be that small percentage of people who absolutely ruin it for everyone else. That was a cool place for good photos of the surrounding area.)
You likely won’t see me on some dusty lumber access road in the middle of a forest looking like I’d been rolled in dark wheat flour with the typical Racoon masked sunburn or peddling through a local foothill gold rush town. Pretty sure I won’t be going on any overnight multi day hikes anywhere – mountains or flatland. Heck, the idea of camping itself doesn’t really interest me as much as it once did. I would take off for the mountains when I could especially during the uncrowded off season. My lack of camping enthusiasm started right after purchasing my Lake Don Pedro property over twenty-five years ago so I guess in someways I did actually continue camping – just did not change the place. Heck, I have plenty of camping spots to choose from on a minutes notice without reservation if I get the urge to sleep under the stars or cook and eat outdoors. Besides, improvements made from the last outing to your home camping environment usually remain to be used again since they are less vulnerable to theft, destruction or vandalism. (Not always, but usually.)
Sure, it’s not the “REAL THING”, I mean, camping in an unknown or active area, discovering and getting accustomed to the new environment, adjusting, compensating, organizing, and hopefully, always being cognizant of potential threats/danger. What can I say? I don’t need the added drama or distractions and freely admit to appreciating familiarity, routine and convenience. My how things have changed – I can vividly recall driving Mom and Dad nuts at times as a youngster with sighs of “I’m bored” “There’s nothing to do” “I want to do something fun”, etc. I laugh at that “younger Lew View” based on his accumulated understanding of the world at that point. (Just as I may twenty years from now, or ten, five, or even one year, perhaps only weeks, days, or hours from now, laugh in utter disbelief as to my ignorance as to what is truly important in this thing we call life.)
Yes, as a child I was often bored with seemingly too much time on my hands but now much older understand and accept there will NEVER be enough time to accomplish everything I would like, so I must therefore determine what is most important to complete now. Tough prioritizing when you have many varied interests. I am trying not to let the multitude of other projects bother me as they slowly slip from “things I am going to do” and fade into the more realistic realm of “just not enough time”.
LEW QUESTIONS (to himself): "Have I "snail-like" eased across some arbitrary line and entered the Old Zone?” LEW VIEW INNER VOICE ANSWERS: "Most likely, probably so,yes." LEW: (to himself in apparent acknowledgement) "Whoa, that's a real bummer." LEW VIEW INNER VOICE SNICKERING & FADING COMMENT: "Oh hell YES!...even substantiated with routine antiquated verbal expressions no less."
OK, so just about anything can be replicated, simulated or substituted for something thing else, I mean, from zero gravity achieved in specially constructed aircraft performing particular flight/fall paths to hyperbaric chambers used to treat or prevent decompression sickness. So what? I enjoy and appreciate my home areas – and it is still a form of camping. Of course there are some things difficult to replace with just a blue plastic baby wading pool.
The Merced River in Yosemite National Park, its first and second large holdings at Lake McClure and Lake McSwain respectively, along with numerous locations along its extensive valley meanderings until joining with the San Joaquin River, have all provided water environments for unforgettable (at least for now) experiences throughout my life. Although experiencing “water” in different forms (liquid, ice, snow, vapor, etc.) and in many different geographical locations (even half way around the world) I have always considered the Merced my “home river”. I’ve been thinking and writing about Merced River water so much lately I felt a personal re-introduction in order. You know, something more dedicated than a few digital images of Horseshoe Bend conveniently shot from the HWY 132 vista point outside the town of Coulterville….but what?
I visually witnessed with my eyes, heard with my ears, and felt the earth’s vibration at shoreline of the enormous power and volume of ice cold high sierra water forcing its way through the carved granite canyon. Then later – those highway familiar steep grass covered tan hillsides with countless scattered carpets of Springtime wild flower color shaded by tall digger pine all seemed to lazily drift by in peaceful solitude – only to be repetitively interrupted by the roar of another rock and roll white water rafting session courtesy of the Wild and Scenic Merced River.
Coming home never felt so good
A quick look back at Lake McClure from Bear Valley Road
Meeting location in Mid Pines, CA right off HWY 140 near the grocery store.
The four rafts for our group. As can be seen on the rafts, I booked with All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting which I found while researching different California river rafting trips. (There are other rafting businesses of course which I am sure are also good but I just happened to choose AOrafting and can only speak as to my personal experience with them – which was excellent so I just wanted to pass that on to other potential first time customers of commercial rafting. Rafting the Merced was something I wanted to do for a while but could just never make the time. I am glad I did.) All-Outdoors conducts rafting trips on the North, Middle and South Forks of the American River; North Fork of the Stanislaus; Cherry Creek; the Tuolumne River, the Kaweah, and obviously, the Merced. Check out their website: www.AOrafting.com
The temporary one lane, traffic light controlled by-pass bridge on HWY 140 going around the Ferguson landslide.
IMAGES OF THE FERGUSON SLIDE ON HWY 140
A recent earthquake damaged the steel netting used to stabilize the hillside.
Merced River on left driving towards Yosemite National Park.
Launch area – INDIAN ROCK. There are a number of rafting businesses that take turns at the launch site.
Another group launches just before ours.
Following a short class on safety regulations, rafting rules and some practice as to commands to be followed during the trip we are off on our 16 mile journey.
I was surprised at how much control could be accomplished with “Team Effort” while following paddling and safety commands by our rafting guide. Not too complicated, things like – HOLD ON! GET DOWN! OVER TO THE RIGHT! OVER TO THE LEFT! etc. (shifting weight in raft to prevent capsizing in potentially dangerous situations like being caught up against a large in stream boulder or other obstruction to water flow.)
Another (water spotted) view of the Ferguson Slide on HWY 140 –
Refreshing! Obviously the rougher parts of this journey could not be photographed because I was too busy paddling my ass off! lol You are going to get wet but if you read and follow the rafting website suggestions you DO NOT HAVE TO BE COLD. I was NOT cold once during the whole day. My feet were a little cool because they were wet most of the time, but comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised with this being my first wet suit (farmer john style) experience. Proper gear is a necessity because hypothermia can ruin an otherwise great rafting outing.
“LUNCH ISLAND” A great place to relax, stretch and get something to eat. Outdoor Adventures had a great “build it yourself” sandwich table with all the traditional fixings plus extra! Naturally- nothing is left behind in the way of garbage or trash. 
Back on the river
Almost finished with this trip’s white water – just a few more bumps and splashes then we head for one of the last campsites west of the Briceburg Bridge along the north river road. (Rail Road Flat) Once there, the rafts are unloaded of equipment, carried up to the waiting transport van and trailer for loading and the return trip to Mid Pines.
A fun and interesting day. I particularly enjoyed the view from the river. Never realized there was such beautiful rock work along the roadbase portions of the highway. Maybe I’ll get some shots next time?
Helmets and vests are provided of course and for those without adequate cold water gear, such can be rented for the trip.
A less than 30 minute drive back to Mid Pines completes the day’s excursion. Certainly worth the time.
OKAY, one quick video of that 16 mile trip……
My best to you and yours, Lew
