|
It got as cold as 44 degrees in the tent this morning. Brrr.
A blue bird snatches a cashew from atop our food storage locker.
We all started packing our stuff up to go. Angie and Cammy got
up early and decided to leave while the rest of us were still
packing. Lan, Susan, Kane, Daryl, Weihaw, and C.J. decided to
let their tents dry out while they hiked to the top of Lembert
Dome. Jean and I were done packing early, so we decided to hike
along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River.
Along the way we communicated with the Lembert Dome folks via
radio. The Lyell Fork hike we did was absolutely beautiful. It
starts at the campground, then joins up with the John Muir Trail,
following the river for 8 miles to Vogelsang. Of course we didn't
have time to do that. We went out a mile and came back.
Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River
When Jean and I came back, we passed by the Lembert Dome folks'
camp site. I looked around and I didn't see their tents anywhere!
I radioed to them (they were just finishing their hike as well)
that bit of news. They didn't seem too concerned, though. I suspected
foul play (of a prankish nature).
When they arrived back in camp, they couldn't find their tents.
They came over, and Reza and Jennie explained that some strange
people had been in their camp and they'd scared them away. Reza
said one of them had an eye patch. Jean and I, who'd seen the
tents hidden behind the car, were trying not to laugh or say anything.
Eventually they noticed the tents, too, and took them back.
Afterwards, Lan came back and said she'd talked to the rangers
and told them about the missing tents (pretending not to know
they'd been "found."). She's not very good at lying, though. =)
Weihaw and C.J. decided they would drive by Mono Lake on their
way to Reno for some buffets. Daryl started the drive back.
Reza and Jean miles apart in Tuolumne Meadows
Flowers in Tuolumne Meadows
The rest of us went to the Visitor Center, then back to the Tuolumne
Meadows Grill for some lunch and a short walk out into the meadow.
Then it was on to Tenaya Lake for some wading. We spotted some
rock climbers on a nearby dome while we were there. Finally, we
stopped at Olmstead Point for great views of Half Dome through
Tenaya Canyon, Tenaya Lake, and the surrounding area. It would
be nice to return to the area for some short hikes. And then we
continued our long drive home, of course running into Highway
205 traffic. Back to reality.
Parting Thoughts
I'd never been to Tuolumne Meadows before -- only Yosemite Valley.
I have to say that I like Tuolumne Meadows much better. It's more
diverse, with lakes everywhere. I admit that I'm not impressed
by waterfalls as much as most people seem to be. So the valley
really doesn't offer me anything that Tuolumne Meadows doesn't.
And it's a lot less crowded.
I'm writing a week later now, and I have to say that I'd rather
be climbing mountains. Hiking, camping, being out in nature --
that's all nice. But there's something to be said for climbing
mountains. There's a sense of accomplishment that you can't get
anywhere else.
| 
Facebook Fan Page
Twitter
RSS Feed
