Got up around 6:40, which is pretty good since I did not go to bed until 11:30. We had stayed up to finish packing and to clean up. Caution—Gary’s Gripe coming up: A lot of time we leave a mess when we go out backpacking. Thought that it was a good thing to try to clean up. Lets see if it helps when we come home. Gripe mode off. I was surprised that I woke up when I did.
Sherri’s pack weighs in at 25-28 pounds, while Steven’s David’s and mine are between 40 and 45 pounds. My starting weight is a little above 253 pounds—goal is under 250.
We got all packed and ready by 8:00 and went out to eat the Fresno Breakfast House. I had the meat lovers omelets; Sherri the Double Dipped French Toast; Steven and David had Toriso Orozelo (sic). By the comments, all are satisified. We left there around 9 and the bank at 9:30. Got to Wawona Ranger Station for a backcountry permit at 10:30. The ranger who issued the permit, Patrick Roe, we would eventually met Thursday.
We dropped David’s car at the Mono Meadow Trailhead. This is where we will be exiting, if things go well. Then we go back to the Ostrander Lake Trailhead (N37.66671, W119.60421). We start at 11:45—so much for an early start. This is later than what we wanted, but is still ok. This first day is pretty light.
This section of the trail we are well acquainted with. Ostrander is a hike we love and gone on a lot. This first section is fairly flat. We pass by the first junction (N37.64882, W119.60310), having decided to take the longer, but hopefully easier creek crossing. We get a little rain and some small, pea sized hail. Not enough to get poncho’s on for. It’s the only rain we get today.
Its 1:30 and we have made the Ostrander Lake junction (N37.63842, W119.58689). Stopped for a rest and some lunch. The rain stopped when we hit the trail junction. There is a nice breeze. So far we are doing ok, about a 2 mph average speed.
We leave the known trail and head westward for a bit. We cross Bridalveil Creek (N37.63915 W119.59215) on logs. But we all do ok. The second leg of the trail’s triangle is definitely a trail less traveled. But that is what makes it nice. We are probably the first ones on this small section of the trial this season. Even coming up this the trail is wet.
As we leave the trail junction (N37.63802 W119.60066) coming up from Bridalveil campground, Sherri sees a bear. A medium sized black bear. It is heading in the same direction as us, in its trudging, or as Sherri says, it is sauntering, along the trail. We let it get a head start, but catch up in five minutes. The moment it hears us, it runs off the trail and up the mountain side.
For the next several miles, the trail follows the creek as it gently climbs towards the end of the valley. We start over the moderate rise. I do a fair amount of huffing and puffing. But it is not long. From the top, we see the Chiluaniha valley area and its drainage, but not actually into Wawona. It is hidden behind the edges of the valley.
We meet a couple trails. At the last junction (N37.60882 W119.60657), we take a break. Steven’s pack falls apart. It’s the part which holds the frame to his waist. When it gets put on, it gouges Steven. He decides he can make it to the campsite about half a mile away (in reality, it was about a mile).
We stay at a ridge to the west of Turner Meadow. The campsite (N37.60135 W119.60174)is nice. Of course, the next morning, David in his wanderings will find a class A campsite about 50 yards away. Dinner is Szechuan Veggie Noodle with Chicken. Its OK tasting-Steven likes this meal the best. We build a fire and get warm and rested by it. Bed time is when sunsets.
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