The High Sierra Camps 8/26/09

8/26/09

Heading into Yosemite

Since we were staying with Ann's sister in Escalon, CA, we didn't rush to make it into Yosemite. Tuolumne Meadows is about 45 miles from the west entrance and Yosemite Valley is about 16 miles. We decided to check out the valley before we headed into the meadows since we couldn't check in till after 5 pm. About 3-4 miles in, we passed a sign saying not to report the controlled burn that was taking place in the valley below. We drove a bit more and remembering that it takes time on the park roads to make any headway, having been to the valley many times and having never been to Tuolumne, we turned back. We arrived at the visitor center in Tuolumne a little more than an hour later and immediately found that the controlled burn was no longer controlled and that the road to the valley had been closed. We dodged that first bullet and I got the feeling that we would have a great trip if our luck held out.

Ann is glad to be here!

Saw some climbers on this dome while entering the Meadows.

Checking into Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

The lodge was as we expected. Lots of steel framed canvas tents on concrete slabs, each with four single beds, blankets, a pillow, a small wardrobe and a wood stove. We would be backpacking without sleeping bags, food, and cookware. We still managed to fill our 24-liter daypacks with cloths, rain gear, towels, headlamps, sleep sacks, camp shoes, and trail snacks. Don't forget the camera, GPS, and extra batteries. Meals at Tuolumne are not included in the price and are offered at additional expense from a menu. The choices were many, the portions were ample and the food was tasty. This lodge is the hub of the High Sierra Camps and a busy place. It is also much colder at night then most of the other camps in spite of its elevation. We spent a fun but noisy evening keeping our wood stove stoked as other people arrived up until 11 pm. I believe that the now out of control fire had caused the late arrivals due to folks having to enter the park through the east entrance, a four to five hour detour for many.

Ann looks very happy in her new home!