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Yosemite

Sunrise Camp

Climbing North Peak

Most people enter Yosemite from the west; some come up the steep Tioga Pass road from the east. The east entrance is at 9945 feet elevation and the road does not open until mid April, and sometimes later depending on the snow conditions. It is a long climb but the end is very rewarding.

Once inside the park it is a short drive to Tuolumne Meadows, a favorite spot for camping and playing in the ice-cold river. It is also a good place to start hikes and backpacking trips.

Summer and fall are great times to see the mountains and lakes above the valley. We have taken many day hikes and, one year Jay did the one week loop trip to the six High Sierra camps, a distance of a little over fifty miles. For more details about one of the camps click here.

May Lake is another camp that is easy to reach and beautiful to see. The trail starts near a small pond and climbs to offer views of various peaks to the east and south. Half Dome is visible in the left picture above.

The camp has several tents with bedding and a pot-belly stove. It sits right at the edge of the lake. A young crew provides breakfast and dinner "family style".

The pristine lake lies at the foot of Mount Hoffmann, which at 10850 feet offers a challenging day climb. After you pass a meadow, full in bloom with wild flowers, the trail almost disappears and you have to find your way up following some stone markers.

Now we can see Clouds Rest (to the left) and Half Dome (center above). As you approach the upper tree level, you will see gnarled remains of a white fir with complex spiral grain patterns. This is harsh country during the winter months.

Late afternoon shows the two peaks a lot clearer. It is quite possible to hike to both peaks. The smaller dome to the left of Half Dome is a challenge in itself but only takes you to the famous steel cable "stairway" that leads to the top. Both hikes are long and very strenuous.

When Sharon and I were at May Lake for two nights, we took a day hike to a small, warm lake. It was ideal for a skinny dip. But just as we returned to camp, clouds came in and soon it started to hail (and I mean HAIL). In no time the surroundings were covered in a white blanket.

That reminds me of another trip with our daughter Susan. That was a really weird day. We had snow in the middle of August.                                                Click here to see more.

A one-day hike that I would recommend is the Panoramic Trail from Glacier Point down to the valley. It is scenic, down hill and yet a good work-out. To get to the top in the summer, take a one way trip on the bus that leaves from the Lodge. It, in itself, is an interesting ride.

The trail is long (about eight miles) but mostly down hill. Initially it drops along the east side of Glacier Point with great views of Half Dome, Nevada and Vernal Falls and the high country in the background. Then it skirts around Illouette Falls, climbs back up with nice views of the valley and Yosemite Falls in the distance. Finally it comes out above Nevada Falls where it joins the John Muir Trail down to the valley.

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