Southforkriver.net

Glen Aulin Trip - Sue & Allyn - July 2008

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Photo Album

Map

NG Topo Map

Day 3

We hit the trail early on Day 3 to beat the heat on the climb out and give us plenty of time for breaks to give Sue's knee a rest. We hit the trail at about 7 in the morning and were up to Tuolumne Falls about an hour later taking our time as we went. The view was very nice, although the weather had shifted with the winds coming up canyon. The T-storms were gone but the smoke form the fires was starting to fill up the canyons. We made it through the little meadow and up to the first footbridge and had a nice break before the next big climb. We made it to the top of the climb and shared the view down canyon with a marmot who had staked out his claim on the spot. I can share but it did not seem like he wanted too!

We made it out onto the granite rocks where the river meets the trail and we took about an hour break while Allyn fished and Sue took it easy. Sue got some good shots of Allyn fishing and then we had some lunch before we headed back onto the trail. Now as I mentioned before, the trip down was kind of hot and dry some the trip back up should be the same. However you don't recognize how much you actually drop in the first few miles until you start to climb back out. Not hard just a constant pull up the hill in the sandy dry areas!

After we crossed Delaney Creek we decided to take the shorter trail back to the stables (shorter by about 2 to 3 tenths of a mile). One thing about the short cut to the stables is you have to hike on a pack trail which is not always a hiking trail and this one for sure was no where near a hiking trail. Hot, dusty, horse and mule poopy and uphill a little more than we wanted it! By the time we figured this out, it was too later to turn back. It got real interesting when we hit the hill (downhill!) that started towards the stables. I though Sue was going to sh*t a brick when she saw that downhill section. She didn't swear out loud but I thought I heard some foul language under her breath about then. We got back to the car around 1 pm and took the packs off and used the head at the stables. These bathrooms are probably the best kept secret in Tuolumne Meadows as they were very clean and not crowded and had bar soap and paper towels to use! A very nice way to end the hike with a clean up in these restrooms!

We hit the snack bar at Tuolumne Meadows for burgers and fries and then headed back down the hill to the cabin for fresh showers, more "Trail-ritas" and clean clothes. Our legs were okay and Sue's knee was doing a little better. As we left the meadows around 2 pm it was about 77 F, and it only got hotter as went headed down to the cabin. We we got to the cabin it was around 98 F, so we took a quick dip in the river and then showered.

All in all the trip was nice. We didn't hit any bad weather to speak off. The campsites at Glen Aulin were beautiful, the host at the High Sierra Camp was excellent, and the scenery was awesome! I would definitely recommend a visit to this place. Next year we would like to try again and be in better shape to spend a day down river to see the rest of the falls!