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.
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| 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.
