Southforkriver.net

2005 Backpacking Trip - Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Photo Album

Map

NG Topo Map

Day 3

Day 3 was the last day of our hike as we headed down the Muir Trail towards the valley. We had not seen any people to speak of the day before, only two groups the entire day. Today was completely different. The Muir Trail can be a highway of sorts. We ran into several groups just beginning their southbound trek along the 211 miles towards Mt. Whitney. Families with kids, groups of people, all with some sort of common bond to make it to the end. The look on some of their faces told the story of the ascent out of the Valley as they were just beginning their trip and wondering what was in store ahead. 2005 was a heavy snow year so they had a lot of snow to look forward to in the coming days, but a southbound journey that year in late June was the right approach. Mike and I worked our way down the trail and watched the creek for signs of life. We must of lucked out going the way we did last night, as this portion so the creek held not trout. No signs of life could be seen beneath the clear waters of Sunrise Creek this far down.

As we headed down the trail we soon came upon the junction to Half Dome and the throngs of people making the morning assault on the monolithic rock. I had been there years before for a day hike and it was then that I learned of my fear of heights. Something about looking over the edge of the 4,000 foot drop must of kicked in my fears to this day. I actually can get dizzy when I get near an edge. If I have some anchor to mother earth I am fine, but to look straight out into space is not my idea of fun! I tell this story now because there are some nice drops along the trail on the decent into the Valley. As we worked our way down the trail we found some nice places to break and take in the views. Down at bottom of the trail is Little Yosemite Valley and the Merced River again.

We looked around and thought of fishing, but the river was flowing too hard and we decided to keep going. We hit the top of Nevada Falls (remember my fear of heights story?) and the crowds that come with this portion of the trip. We were able to take some nice pictures of the areas surrounding the falls but it was now time for me to make my way across the bridge. If you see the pictures of this journal, you will understand that the bridge can be a little scary for those like me. The bridge sits right near the edge of the falls and does not have handrails to anchor you down. A slight breeze down canyon could have blown me right over the edge was my thought. Well I wasn't going to get back to the cabin and the cold beers in the Valley below if I didn't cross the bridge, so I took a deep breath and walked straight over that bridge and on my way to freedom! Once I was over, Mike wanted me to come back and have some pictures taken of me and him on the bridge. Have I told you how sadistic of a brother he is!? Well across the bridge I was and no Mike I am not going back over it again!

We made our way down the trail through the hundreds of switchbacks to the bridge at Vernal Falls vista point. Along the way we had some fantastic views of the valley below and of Yosemite Falls across the Valley floor. It was a nice sight to see from that vantage point. We made our way through the crowds at the Vernal Falls bridge (this bridge is a lot nicer!) after taking a rest and using the facilities. Down the last bit of trail to Happy Isles and then the short hop to Curry Village where the car would sit with a cooler of cold beers and the wives. Well we found the car and the cooler, but the wives were nowhere to be found. Oh well, I think I will take off these nice hiking shoes and rest my feet while I suck down a cold beer I told myself. The first beer went down so good the second one was calling my name. Looking around and still finding no wives, I figured hat the heck, the only way to shut that second beer up was to go ahead and drink it. So drink it down I did, and unfortunately there were no more left in the cooler to call my name. However, there was a patio bar at Curry Village and in the distant I could hear all of those beers calling out my name. If only the wives were here to save me! Well before the temptation of the patio bar could work it's magic the wives showed up and off we went out of the Valley and back to the cabin.

The trip was fun and it brought back good memories of my younger days of backpacking with the family. I promised myself to go out again and get some better gear for the next trip. We had a great time fishing and although we didn't get to catch any goldens this trips, the cutthroats in Sunrise Creek were worth the climb out of Echo Valley. I did manage to get a brown at the cabin so for the vacation that year I did get the mini-slam.