| Let's take a three day hiking trip and stay at one of the six High Sierra Camps. We pack a bag with warm clothes and other essentials, but no food or sleeping bag. This is not a back-packing excursion. We start our hike at beautiful Lake Tenaya, along Highway 120, elevation 8148 feet. Click here to return to May Lake. |
| The trail starts out gradually as we follow Tenaya Creek, but soon we climb steeply up the canyon. To our right we see a peak. It is Clouds Rest and we head in that direction. Before we get that far, however, we turn east; our goal is Sunrise. |
| We stop for lunch at one of the three Sunrise Lakes. This is a great place for back-packers and fishermen. But we continue up the crest and cross the saddle at about 9800 feet. We have climbed 1650 feet in five miles and are tired. The trail now drops into a large valley and wide meadow; we arrive at camp. |
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| Sunrise camp is nestled between some trees with its own petite meadow and rocky ledges. The stone house has the important kitchen and the large tent is where we will have dinner and breakfast. Most of the "guest" tents are for four persons, some for six. We are lucky to have number nine. It is up high and next to the bathrooms, has only two beds, a potbelly stove with lots of wood and candles for a cozy way to do some reading. |
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The stone "sculpture" in the picture above is just a way of making our mark. For more details click here. |
| Before
and during dinner we have a chance to meet interesting people, like this
family from Ventura. There is a "looper" group here tonight. These are
the folks who are doing all the High Sierra camps in one week with a
ranger. There will be a campfire with a ranger talk about "fire in
Yosemite".
The meal is really superb and we are lucky to have a gourmet chef this evening who oven-baked halibut in parchment with wonderful salsa. The chocolate fondue desert results in an applause. |
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| After dinner there is a terrific sunset. |
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| The following morning we are on our own. I take a warm shower, have breakfast and decide to take it easy for the day. The "loopers" are on their way to Merced High Sierra Camp. Those that stay, take day hikes, others read and snooze, while some play cards (how boring). I like to explore the surrounding area, so I climb up high to have a better view of the meadow and camp below. |
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| In the far distance is Mount Clark. Below is the meadow, almost pristine weren't for the trail tracks made by many of us. Luckily the people trail is near the edge of the meadow. Another carved track is more natural. |
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| I decide to cross this meadow and see what is at the other end where the water drains away. It means jumping across some of these ditches, get my feet all muddy; yet the rewards are nothing but scenic splendor. |
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| I love to just sit and watch, to absorb things we don't see in our busy lives, to admire what Mother Nature has spun in her infinite web. |
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| The wildflowers are in full bloom and I spot several species including Mariposa Tulip, Lemmon's Paint Brush, Alpine Aster and a few others. |
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| After dinner we take a quick hike up to the knoll where I was earlier. As the sun sets we look north and see Tresidder Peak, Culumbia Finger, Cathedral Peak and Echo Peaks with the Cockscomb. Then we scan to the east and see Matthes Crest and to the south the majestic Clark Range. |
| Tomorrow we go home, walk the same route back, see new things the other way, but never forget the short time we spent in Yosemite's High Country. |
