Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Yosemite September 2015


For our last backpacking trip of the season, we planned a 4 day, 40 mile trek that began in Tuolumne Meadows and went south along the Cathedral Range of mountains. 

Day 1
We begin on the John Muir Trail (and followed about 7 miles of this at different points on our trip). We are all sleep deprived, having left San Jose at 5am.






 Demonstrating map skills!




Testing out the zoom on my new camera - fish in the Tuolumne River!






















The first day was a 5.5 mile hike through Lyell Canyon.



We climbed up to 10,500 feet complete with great views of the Sierra Nevadas - that is the Kuna Crest in the distance.


The approach to Evelyn Lake: our home for the night.







We enjoyed the sandy beach! (Notice the cold weather gear.)



The sky was expansive and it was WINDY!



The view of the lake from our campsite where we took shelter from the wind.



The Evelyn Lake accommodations - in the foreground is the Grandview suite complete with hammock. In the background is the Mezzanine suite. On the left, in the kitchen Brian is attempting to light the stove in the wind while Emily tries to look busy.


The view looking east at the sun's reflection on the mountains.


The sunset was incredible. These photos have not been filtered or edited.














Day 2
The wind kept us up most of the night. Here is the view from our tent as we watch Emily and AJ checking to see if it is safe to emerge.




The view of the lake while pumping water that morning.







Our daily morning picture!



The hike out was VERY windy, still images don't capture it too well.



A panoramic view looking back across Evelyn Lake.

We hiked through an unnamed canyon under a brilliant blue sky.




We paused for lunch near Fletcher Creek.








A panoramic view as we descend toward Merced Lake







In Yosemite, the trails are often stone steps.





Occasionally we stopped for photos. Some people even smile!





Another panoramic view complete with non-native fauna, invasive species you might say!


The view of Merced Lake, our intended home for the night.






Unfortunately no camping allowed anywhere along the lake (we're still working on our map skills!)...




... so we hiked another mile down the trail and had to make do with our own private swimming hole complete with slip and slide. Brian tried it and was disappointed.





I spent the afternoon trying out the different "creative" settings on my camera.






I will be using this sparkle feature a lot during the holidays I think.






Brian enjoyed time on the rock.


Two days away from the super moon.




My camera's zoom lens!





Day 3

Morning picture!


The view as we climbed up out of the Merced Lake area.




We weren't the only ones on the trail.


The views were spectacular.





Enjoying a bridge.




We climbed to 10,000 feet again and had gorgeous views.











Echo Peak.





Cathedral Peak and Echo Peak.



Cathedral Peak with Upper Cathedral Lake.


Cathedral Lake - our home for the night.



We saw a gorgeous sunset...







... and a great moonrise.





Day 4

In this picture, our legs are so tired they are out of focus.


... or maybe it was a funky camera setting. This is an area of a lightening fire in August, where the NPS is still doing a controlled burn. We didn't see any actual fire, but did smell a fire on Saturday, which was unnerving.



Contrails on the way down to Tuolumne meadows.





This is our last view of the Tuolumne River.





The view of Tuolumne Meadows from the car on our way out of the park.



Roadside scenery.



This is Tenaya Canyon from the car- hiking is not advised due to steep, unstable terrain.


Another roadside view.


Evidence of the Rim Fire of 2013.


We've enjoyed a lot of Yosemite National Park, easily one of our favorite places to hike! We're already thinking about our next trip in the Spring!