June 27, 2013 - Cathedral Area and Tuolume Meadows

Title: June 27, 2013 - Cathedral Area and Tuolume Meadows

Hike Info:

Trail: JMT between Long Meadow and Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Ranger Station 

Starting location: Long Meadow

Destination: Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Ranger Station

Distance:   9.25 miles

Start Time:  8:01

End Time:    3:34

Travel Time:  7:33 (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 5:02 (1.84 mph). 

Elevation Rise: 1,168'

Maximum Elevation:  10,082'

 





Description:

Tent above Long Meadow

I watched the morning glow through slotted eyes, then had my quiet time. By the time I escaped from the tent's protected cocoon it was 6. That protected cocoon is against those pests called mosquitoes. Evidently some joined us during the night and sucked some of our blood-at least I am finding blood on my sleeping bag and pad. Went for a little walk around, probably about a mile. When I got back, Sherri was stuffing the bags, again-meaning she did the same thing yesterday. We had our breakfast, then broke camp. Got on the trail at 8.

Snowballs in June

We are on a short, 400' ascent up to Cathedral Pass, about a mile and a half.

Sherri climbing our peak

Not too bad of walking, plus you get to enjoy the peaks beyond the Merced for the last time. Cathedral Pass is one of those passes which you may never know that you went over it, it is so gentle. We stop here (N 37.49.243, W 119.24.98) for a break and then decide to climb this 100' outcropping. Last year I made it about 70% of the way to the top. This year with Sherri beside me, we made it all the way. Maybe this is symbolic for the rest of our journey?
    (As a note, later on looking at the map and Cathedral Pass-N 37.50.24, W 119.24.81-is about a mile further on. )

Gary and the mountains

The view from here is a 360 DDG! We can see from the Columbia Finger, south to the mountains beyond the Merced (but not Half Dome), then around to the east where Emeric Lake resides, where we were a couple of weeks ago. Then the  Matthes Crest, around to Echo And Cathedral Peaks, swinging back around to Tressidder Peak and the Columbia Finger. What a view! And we are the only ones up here!

Successful climb

We then start the long walk down to Tuolumne Meadows. First we pass Cathedral Meadows, lush, green with a nice pool in the middle of it (Note: this is where Cathedral Pass really is). Then we come to our first lake of the trail-Upper Cathedral Lake. This lake is becoming another meadow, but probably not during my lifetime. The park service has rerouted the JMT so that the meadow above the lake is not being impacted by us hikers.

Cathedral Peak

Upper Cathedral Lake

We continue down and just below the Lower Cathedral Lake junction, we meet a series of four pack trains going to Sunrise.  Three of the pack train wranglers we saw yesterday.  We then met ranger Cliff A, riding on his  horse. Even got a picture of him. We would meet him again-he even gave a recommendation on Lee Vining eateries. Friendly fellow.

We stopped for lunch around 11:30 at one of my favorite spots along the trail-the spring (N 37.51.61, S 119.24.36) . Mountain spring water. That is something which will carry you home. So fresh tasting, so invigorating. We spent some time here, even got out a text to Steven to bring some things.

We keep going down the trail. We both think it is better going down this than coming up it. There is another stop we make by Budd Creek to have a  Clif Bar. Then over to the visitor center to enjoy the bathroom. Cliff passes us on our way. We go on to the meadow itself and take. In a couple of the historical places in the area:  Parsons Lodge, Soda Springs, and Tuolumne Meadow itself. We eventually make it over to the  Wilderness Office (N 37.52.62, W 119.20.74), where we wait for Steven's arrival.

Tuolumne Meadows and Lembert Dome

He gets there around four and we take off for Lee Vining and Murphy's Inn. This may not be proper JMT etiquette, but we enjoy the  time off the Trail. We eat at the Whoa Nellie Deli, often known as Mobil, then pack for tomorrow and the next six or seven days.

Today's JMT Lesson: The beauty you see, words do not describe its fullness, pictures only show  shadow.  (Words from Sherri)