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)

June 26, 2013 - Long Meadow

Title: June 26, 2013 - Long Meadow

Hike Info:

Trail:    JMT Day 02 from above Sunrise Creek to above Long Meadow

Starting location: Sunrise Creek

Destination: Sunrise Meadow

Actual Destination: above Long Meadow

Distance:   7.33 miles.

Start Time: 7:57

End Time: 3:17

Travel Time: 7:20  (1.00  mph)

Moving Time: 5:26  (1.35 mph).

Elevation Rise:   2,250'

Maximum Elevation:  9757'

Description:

Got up a little before 6. Sky is a clear blue. Last night the clouds gave way to a clear sky so we could see the moon, just past full, at its closest to the sun. Went for a short walk to cross the creek and sing a few hymns. Along the way, I was looking at the topography and think we are above where we thought we were last night, closer to the 7800' the GPS says we are at than the Sunset Creek where I thought we were (37.75117, -119.48248).

When I got back, Sherri was up, stuffing sleeping bags. We eat our oatmeal breakfast and are off by 7:50. While the first part of the trail is moderate, we are huffing and puffing. Guess yesterday took more out of us than we thought. But we do pretty good. Along this section, there are some almost great views. One of those times when you wonder if a tree could have grown a few feet lower or over. But you do catch a lot of really good partial views.

East of Merced Lake

We stop for a small break when we cross Sunrise Creek. A Clif bar is partially consumed, water drunk and bodily functions are taken care of. Now it is off to the steep part of the trail for the day. It is a real struggle to go up this 1200' climb from our break at Sunrise Creek. We do stop after climbing 500' just have some more of a Clif Bar and a bank ball. But it is not long. We do stop to breath on our way up. Even though it is putting one foot in front of the other, we are doing well. Until reaching the last 200', the trees block many  places which have fine vistas. Now do not get me wrong, I also love the oxygen trees give us, the shade which cools the to hikers, and the protection from the wind and rain. But sometimes you also want to see across the big expansive canyon you know what is there, or the looming domes, and the cathedral spires. I will take just being here.

Half Dome's back side

We get to the top of the ridge-it is off of Sunrise Mountain. Lunch is served peanut butter and Nutella on a mini-bagel. We could not eat better in a five star restaurant. While we were resting met a couple JMTers. Michelle sounds like she will be walking only a little faster than us. She is 40 and from Riverside. 'Narly has hiked the PCT before and is doing this for  the fun. He probably will take a couple weeks. Before long a couple of young men passed us up-projected completion time in less than a week.

Cathedral Peak and Friends

Sunrise Meadow

After lunch we start our descent into Sunrise Meadow. It is only about 600' down. Pretty enjoyable after what we came up this morning. When we get to Sunrise Meadow, we talk with another backpacker who is going down to Merced Lake then over to the JMT to meet up with his daughter who is hiking the PCT. if they are coming down Lyell Canyon Friday, we will see them.

Up we go, hiking the length of Sunrise Meadow. A couple trains of horses pass us by to stock the High Sierra Camp here.   When we cross the unnamed creek coming out of Long Meadow, we stop for a break. But the mosquitoes are out in full force. So we have an abbreviate break, leaving a decision about where to stop tonight until later.

Columbia Finger

When we get to Long Meadow, we see Columbia Finger there, standing over us, guiding travelers-we will go under it, and guarding the way. Even though the rise is gentle, this morning has taken a lot out of us. So as we ascend out of Long Meadow, we decide this is a nice stopping place for tonight (37.81469, -119.42650). Maybe we are high enough to be out of the way of the mosquitoes.

Relaxing after hiking

We find a nice area, with some shade and some sun to pitch our tent. Water is a bit of a walk, about a quarter of a mile away and a hundred feet vertical. but the Base Camp filter makes it easier to haul large amounts of water. After drawing the water, the mosquitoes drive us inside the tent. We while away the couple hours between 4 and 6, watching the last of MacGyver. Then listening to a Red Rocks Church sermon. We come out for dinner-beef stew, freeze dried from Mountain House. Pretty filling.

Columbia's Finger in the setting sun

We also have wine And the last of the Girl Scout cookies. The sun is going down, highlighting the Finger. Very nice. Then it is time for bed, about 8:15.

Today's JMT Lesson:  It is just part of the journey.   (Said by a fellow hiker)

Place: CA-Columbia

Columbia Finger, Rock (Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, Yosemite, Yosemite Valley)
(Long, Lat)

Description:
"Columbi" has been used since the founding of the country as a poetic and patriotic name for the United States-derived from Christopher Columbus. It is not known who named either of these features,. Columbia Finger was named on Lt. McClure's maps o0f 1895 and 1906. "... Columbia Rock, a bold bluff of the solid wall..." (Article by John Conway, Mariposa Gazette, April 27, 1878) Conway built the trail to the top of Yosemite Fall in 1873; the feature probably was named then. (YNP)

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