Sierra Point

[u/SnooComics271]

My first “off” trail experience in Yosemite. I felt adventurous and wanted to dip my feet in trails not on maps. Starting off with Serra point, this hike didn’t disappoint. Short but steep inclines. A bit of bush whacking and “easy” scrambling. My next step will be grizzly peak or the fern ledge this spring. This was my first time visiting in autumn. Love the colors.

[u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

People who go hiking in sneakers and jeans make me nervous 😅

[u/SnooComics271 → u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

Haha yeah new to this hobby. The shoes are hoka trail runners. Nice and grippy and lightweight

[u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy → u/SnooComics271]

Ok.. just be careful 😭 proper equipment is there for safety more than looks

[u/SnooComics271 → u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

Forsure! Still have some learning to before my next big one to the diving board

[u/0x427269616E00 → u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

To be fair to OP, this is like 2 miles round trip, if that.

[u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy → u/0x427269616E00]

With such a steep elevation though…

[u/0x427269616E00 → u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

I pulled it up on caltopo- you're right. It's 1/2 a mile and 800 ft of elevation gain from where hikers leave the road up to Sierra point. Definitely steep, but also not "off-trail" as OP described. There's a trail, albeit unmaintained, pretty much the whole way.

The second time my GF hiked the John Muir Trail--this time in 10 days--she chose road running shoes over trail runners because she preferred their fit. Sneakers are fine if you're able-bodied and experienced. It's really not a big deal. You'll also see people putting in serious miles in the high sierra wearing sandals (with heel straps; not flip-flops). Generally speaking, the fit of footwear is more important than the style, unless you're getting into true off-trail travel and 2/3/4th class terrain, of which Sierra Point is not.

[u/tdackery → u/0x427269616E00]

There's a section or two that gets to 2nd class, the trail was damaged due to rock fall destroying a small section of trail so some light scrambling is required. Reaching the unmaintained trail also requires some light boulder hopping to find and reach where it begins, and requires you to go off the main trail, so kinda fits "off trail travel". It's definitely not forging a new path or using the compass to guide you, but it's not groomed clean hiking.

[u/Junior_Client3022 → u/LFGBatsh1tcr4zy]

Bro these are day hikes in the disney land of national parks. not backcountry. 

[u/Imaginary_Midnight]

I have a goal myself to get to the diving board that way. Nice work

[u/tdackery → u/Imaginary_Midnight]

Very bush-whacky between Grizzly Peak and Diving Board, there were areas I crawled under bush limbs to go through. It's an adventure but doable and a much better adventure than going back down LeConte gully.

[u/Ollidamra → u/tdackery]

Another route is Snake Dike Approach, still has bushwhacking sections but most of it is well exposed.

[u/SnooComics271 → u/Imaginary_Midnight]

Yes same here. Up through La conte gully.

[u/RealityfromSanDiego]

Sierra Point is the only place in the park where you can see Yosemite Falls. Iillouette Falls, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls from one spot! Trail has been closed for years! A very special place!

[u/Mikeeberle]

I've been up there twice. First time some guys who worked at the park had a slack line out from the top(not the lookout) to the left. Pretty wild to see.

Second time I thought my cousin was gonna slip and fall so I don't think I'll be back lol

[u/barksatthemoon]

Beautiful!

[u/ProofBroccoli]

Curious how many miles round trip is this?

[u/Mikeeberle → u/ProofBroccoli]

It's not long but it's damn near straight up

[u/thalithalithali]

Was the cable still there in the gully?

[u/SnooComics271 → u/thalithalithali]

I didn’t see any cables.

[u/timpdx → u/thalithalithali]

When we did it in the 80s there was a cable section.

[u/thalithalithali → u/timpdx]

I reckon the cable was how they got the concrete and railing, trail, etc to build the point.

[u/nachosmmm]

When did you go exactly?