Sunday, January 27, 2013

Chilnualna Falls


Chilnualna Falls

Destination: Chilnualna Falls

Distance: 8.4 miles (13.5 km) round trip

Trailhead Elevation: 4,200 ft (1,280 m)

Elevation Gain: 2,300 ft (700 m)


“Stadiums are for spectators.  We runners have nature and that is much better.”
--Juha Vaatainen

Chilnualna Falls, located in Wawona, is one of the Yosemite’s lesser-known treasures. My darling wife introduced it to me several years ago during our family reunion.  With all of the winter tourists heading to Yosemite Valley, this area remains pretty untenanted during the winter season. 


Dewey Point (37-42'15'' N, 119-39'09'' W)
The morning after our 7-mile snowshoeing extravaganza to Dewey Point, I decided to venture up the Chilnualna Falls for a hilly run.  The trailhead to Chilnualna Falls starts at the end of Chilnualna Falls Road and immediately the climb begins.




The first portion of the trail is the steepest of the 4 miles. My breathing was labored while my feet worked hard to find the right footing on the icy road, with my eyes on the path just ahead.  The crunching of the ice beneath my feet assured me that my shoes were indeed biting into the ice and would keep me from slipping and sliding. I am glad I was wearing my La Sportiva trail shoes!  I kept my pace a bit shorter than usual and managed to press on.  Snow and ice was my constant companion on this trail but it made for some interesting and beautiful presentations as I ran along.

As the road continued to unfold in front of me, I recognized that one of the rules I had learned on a motorcycle was to not look at an upcoming obstacle, as I would navigate toward it (thanks Dan Auer for this tip).  Whatever you focus on, you either attract or steer into.  The same was happening with the snow and icy run.  I used my peripheral vision to recognize an obstacle but my focus was on the steps around the obstacle.  And so I ran with intention, with my focus on that moment, where my feet were, where the open trail was, and what chunks of ice awaited my ankles. For two hours I could only be in the moment because each time my mind strayed, the ice bit me.

It was a difficult run.  It was even harder to stay present, to focus, to move and navigate with purpose.  This was a great practice run as well as a great practice for living with purpose and being truly present. 
All I have to trust and enjoy is this moment, this breath, this heartbeat. Everything else is a bonus.