As you can see there is still a lot of snow. This shot is going down the west side of Donohue Pass (elev. 11,056`). This snow field is about 200` wide (as we crossed it) and at least 1500` long. Our packers and their stock were the first to cross it this year and I would guess that it will not melt before more snow falls this winter.
Our trail took us down through many beautiful valley. This is one that we descended to and hiked out the far end, about 1,000` lower. This is still on day four and we still had a ways to go.
With the snow melt, the creeks & rivers were higher than normal. This meant that crossing was a little bit of a challenge and we had to use make shift bridges. Fortunately no one fell into the water but it did slow us down.
Above are several early morning shot at Cathedral Lake (elev.9,569`). Later in the day several of us decided to "knock the trail dust" off by jumping in the lake. It was
cold but very refreshing.
We saw several deer and this one (a two point) still had the "velvet" on his antlers. Since we were now in Yosemite (no hunting allowed), the deer were not worried about us.
This is our layover day hike to a ridge called "Clouds Rest" which overlooks the Yosemite Valley. It is a narrow ridge as you can see by the hikers in this shot. The drop on each side is about 1,500` and there are not "hand rails". It is a little bit of a "white knuckle" hike to the top. That is "Half Dome" in the distance at the right and this is a higher vantage point.
Standing on top of the world - well not quite but the elevation here is 9,926` and with the top of Half Dome at 8,836` that is right up there. That is Half Dome to the right and the Yosemite Valley is in the distance.
Here we are coming back down the ridge and you can see a long way (looking north) over some of the country we had hiked. Very inspiring.
Down at the bottom and happy to have made the hike (about 12 miles round trip from our camp at Sunrise Lake).
Back at camp and evening shadows signal dinner time. A chance for all to relax and reflect on the day. Having chairs and a great cook really made the trip enjoyable.
I know, another reflection picture but I like rocks & water. This one is at Cathedral Lake which we camped at twice and hiked all the way around.
Our hard working cook Renee and here "kitchen" . It was after breakfast on our last morning and cold. But she managed a smile for the camera while doing the dishes. Just the night before we had been treated to a Thanksgiving style dinner -a whole baked turkey with: stuffing; cranberry & yams. It was excellent and served at 9,427` elevation, it was amazing.
One last reflection shot - this one at lower Cathedral Lake (elev. 9,288`) and our shadows are in the foreground. This lake is like an infinity pool, the way it drops off at the far end on it`s way down to Tenaya Lake (not visible in the distance).
At the end of our trip we talked with the owner of Rock Creek Pack Station, Craig London. We have now, over the course of several years, completed the entire John Muir Trail (212 miles total). Already the planning has begun for next years hike and that is half the fun. It is also what gets us through the winter - I know, Santa Barbara`s winter are not the same as other places but it does rain and get colder!
I hope you enjoy traveling with me.
Cheers
No comments:
Post a Comment