9/2/09
Off to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
We were up early, ate a hearty breakfast and were on the trail by 830 am. This last leg of our journey back to where we had begun, would start at 10,300 feet and drop to 8,600 feet in 7 short miles. The last day of most great journeys is always a little melancholy. We were occupied with thoughts about the whole trip, leaving new friends and yes, planning the next trip. This trip was no exception. Through conversations with camp staff and other guests we knew that the Yosemite fire was still burning far from containment and that our route out of the park west on 120 was still closed to traffic. This meant we would have to leave the park using the east entrance over Tioga Pass, travel north on 395 to 108 and come back to the west across the Sonora Pass adding 2-3 hours to our return trip to Escalon. This fact occupied our minds on the march from Vogelsang down Rafferty Creek to Tuolumne Meadows. We enjoyed the views of Rafferty Peak and Johnson Peak to the west, but having no camera, we paused very little. We made it to the car as marked on my GPS by noon.
This trip was one of great memories and great scenery. I love the High Sierra's and always will. I would like to make my gratitude known to the people that originally built the trails, those who built the camps and those who now maintain these jewels of the Sierras. I can't think of a more strenuous job then carving trails through high granite passes. I was pleased that in over 58 miles of hiking I found only one double A battery and one already disintegrating Kleenex. Good job people! Pack it in / pack it out works.
For those interested in the High Sierra Camps I have provided a link on this page. The slots are awarded by lottery as I may have mentioned earlier. You may get in late by looking for openings or cancellations on their web site. The options are endless. You do not have to do a loop. You can visit one camp for one night or multiple camps for multiple nights. I met a couple that was staying for 16 nights. You can stay at the backpacker’s camp, located at each camp and just pay for meals. And yes, you can still backpack the entire area without winning the lottery and still see the same sights; you will just have to carry your own sleeping bag, tent, cooking gear and food. I was warned that the park now requires backpackers to keep their packs in their tents, out of the view of hungry bears. I have not yet verified this rule / request.
Off to Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
We were up early, ate a hearty breakfast and were on the trail by 830 am. This last leg of our journey back to where we had begun, would start at 10,300 feet and drop to 8,600 feet in 7 short miles. The last day of most great journeys is always a little melancholy. We were occupied with thoughts about the whole trip, leaving new friends and yes, planning the next trip. This trip was no exception. Through conversations with camp staff and other guests we knew that the Yosemite fire was still burning far from containment and that our route out of the park west on 120 was still closed to traffic. This meant we would have to leave the park using the east entrance over Tioga Pass, travel north on 395 to 108 and come back to the west across the Sonora Pass adding 2-3 hours to our return trip to Escalon. This fact occupied our minds on the march from Vogelsang down Rafferty Creek to Tuolumne Meadows. We enjoyed the views of Rafferty Peak and Johnson Peak to the west, but having no camera, we paused very little. We made it to the car as marked on my GPS by noon.
This trip was one of great memories and great scenery. I love the High Sierra's and always will. I would like to make my gratitude known to the people that originally built the trails, those who built the camps and those who now maintain these jewels of the Sierras. I can't think of a more strenuous job then carving trails through high granite passes. I was pleased that in over 58 miles of hiking I found only one double A battery and one already disintegrating Kleenex. Good job people! Pack it in / pack it out works.
For those interested in the High Sierra Camps I have provided a link on this page. The slots are awarded by lottery as I may have mentioned earlier. You may get in late by looking for openings or cancellations on their web site. The options are endless. You do not have to do a loop. You can visit one camp for one night or multiple camps for multiple nights. I met a couple that was staying for 16 nights. You can stay at the backpacker’s camp, located at each camp and just pay for meals. And yes, you can still backpack the entire area without winning the lottery and still see the same sights; you will just have to carry your own sleeping bag, tent, cooking gear and food. I was warned that the park now requires backpackers to keep their packs in their tents, out of the view of hungry bears. I have not yet verified this rule / request.
You can see more details of this entire trip at this link.
To book a trip or find out about the camps use this link.
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