Yosemite day hike trip report

“The day started out later than I had anticipated due to my brother being a little late and unprepared. We got into Yosemite around 11:45am along with several other motorists waiting outside the entrance gate into the park. We weren't sure how far we were from the gate but kind of expected a lot of people because it was a three day weekend. To our surprise, the line went very quickly. (they take that $20 from your hand pretty fast!) One thing we didn't account for was the 30 minutes it took to drive to the trail head but it was a beautiful drive of course and again, we were surprised because there was hardly any traffic on the road we took. (Tioga Rd) I think the majority of the crowd of people go to the valley. We went into the backcountry.We stopped off at one of the numerous scenic point turnouts and saw a few of those fuzzy little marmotts (is that the right name?)along with some awesome views. We shortly arrived at our trailhead, Sunrise Lakes, in which the parking lot was full so we parked just across the street. I was relieved to find the bathrooms very clean! The trailhead is next to Tenaya Lake and is actually posted as just "Sunrise". As we were just starting the trail we came upon a small river about 25 feet wide that covered the small stepping stones of the trail. There was no other way but to take our boots and socks off and walk thru it as we saw the other hikers on the other side putting their boots back on. the water was cold and came up to my thighs which made me walk really fast! From there, there was a sign that listed numerous trails. A little further we came to another sign that was at the beginning of two trails but it didn't say "our" trail. So we went by my brothers instints after looking at the map. It was a beautiful mostly shaded trail. Following the trail runs steeply above the edge of Tenaya Canyon. We had to cross over a few creeks which were a challenge. I never had to do a balancing act across a fallen log or on wabbly twigs and brush before. It was fun! My brother was really sweet. He would put his hand out and I would mostly turn him down saying, "I can do it myself". Except on the way back, being tired, I glady took his hand. According to the directions from the California Hiking book, we were supposed to see a sign saying, "Sunrise High Sierra Camp" and then turn left. Well, we never did run into it. We thought we were lost and must have missed it somehow. As we looked at the map again, I discovered that I forgot one very important thing...my compass. I said, damn Alex! I forgot one of the most important things to bring on a hike! We decided to go back and try that other trail that we thought was the wrong one. As we headed back, we came upon two families with two kids. They said they were looking for the same trail we were and that they'd just spent four hours hiking the other way to find out that that was the wrong way and this must be the way! So all 5 of us adults were looking at the map. He had the better topo map. But he even had a compass and they still got lost! We all decided that this must be the way and that my brother and I just missed the sign. It was easy to lose the trail because several times the huge snow patches covered the trail. Well, we stumbled upon two more hikers that were on their way to Clouds Rest and said that this was the way to Sunrise Lakes also and to look for the footprints in the snow to find the trail. It was definately a challenge but we finally got to the top of the mountain. That's where the sign was! It didn't mention in the book that the sign is at the top of the mountain! It was well worth it though. We had beautiful views of Half Dome and Clouds Rest with the valley below. We sat at the top enjoying the view along with our now, only cool, Sierra Nevada beers. As we were enjoying the view a baby squirrel ran across the rocks just below our feet. By that time it was already 5:30 so we decided to go back and not even go to our destination of the lake. We ended up hiking only about 7 miles that day with an elevation gain of 1000 ft. It was a beautiful hike and we intend to go back probably the end of June/beginning of July and backpack and stay the weekend. Those two families finally made it up to the top and decided that they were setting up camp there because they were all exhaused from the climb. I wished we could have joined them! Next time!”

“Nice day hike report, Sheila, but.... two words: paragraphs, please. :-) You just double space to go onto a new paragraph. Makes it easier to keep your place as you read.

I remember driving through Yosemite, coming from the west and over Tioga Pass heading east. Hadn't thought of that lake in awhile. I was a real newbie, just traveling through at that time. Maybe someday I'll get to see more of Yosemite and the Sierras.”

“Thanks for sharing that Sheila. It sounds like you had a good time and learned a thing or two.”

“thanks for the trip report, sheila. Sounds like you had quite an adventure. I've only been to Yosemite once, back in 89 and my memory is dim so I have no idea where you were but it sounds great! I hope to return someday, maybe when I retire...

Anyone have pics of this area or can give me a url to follow so I can see it? Thanks!”

“That was a great trip report, but it didn't sound like anything to me. I could see the page, and in my mind I could imagine how the trip was going, but I really didn't hear anything.”

“Sheila, good goin'!

Now that is a trip you can do over and over and over again. I liked your description of teetering on that log.

There's no place like Yosemite. Thanks for sharing. It took some thinking to put that write up together.

Now you'll have to post your report on that July hike too. LOL.

UTAHiker, there are a number of photos of the area here. This was from an epic trail talk trip last year.”

“Yep! Lizs, your are right! That is hard to read that way!

Ya know, it was late that night and I just kinda rambled & kept on typing & didn't stop to see how it looked.

Sorry about that!

I'll do better next time! See! Double spacing this time! :)”

“I enjoyed your report, Sheila. It reminded me of the trips I took with my brother way back before marriage. You left out the bickering, though. Like, "I think this is the way to go." "No, this is the way." "No, how come you always think you are right." "Me! You are the one that got us lost on the last three trips" "Oh sure, bring up the the past." You know this friendly bickering that you do with your brother that teaches you what NOT to do with your spouse. My brother and I still do this when we get together for visits, but just in fun.”

“Good trip report Sheila.

A map and compass work great TOGETHER. At least you had beer.

Did you happen to see a black cat along the way?”

“Hey Sheila,
You may remember me from BayAreaHiking. I'm the guy who organized the Los Vaqueros hike and of which you FLAKED on! :) Nice trip report. I did the Sunrise HSC/Clouds Rest/Valley Trail last summer. Great place!”

“Alright Sheila, sounds like you had a great time, and the summers only just begun. I hope to see allot more of your trip reports!”

“Hey pantscandy! I remember you! You have that weird website. Actually, it was very entertaining and it kept my interest long enough to want to see what the heck you were up to each week. It's been a while since I've been in there. I'll have to take a look.

Don't get on my case for missing a hike! I'm sure something probably very important came up. :) I hope we meet up on a hike someday. If anyone hasn't met pantscandy, he seems like he'd be a hoot to go hiking with. Read his site when you get a chance!”

“Yep, leatherneck, atleast we had a beer. But you know, I wished we would have had something to keep it cooler. Does anyone have any recommendations for keeping stuff cold in your pack besides water.”

“Sheila,
The site you're referring has been discontinued. I just pulled it off the web a few days ago. It was getting too hard to update everyday and, of course, I couldn't come up with anything good to write about now that the election is over. Some of my real life friends were like "what the hell's wrong you, creep! I can't believe you wrote that stuff!" :)
Anyway, you better get hiking with us. Even if I haven't been on a group hike in some time. Usually just Maureen and I head somewhere for the day.”