Sun, Aug 3 2008, Tue, Aug 12 2008 - Backpacking Yosemite National Park (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Don Norton (Chicken Feathers) Participants: Woody, Anja Krusel, Rob Byrne, Jessica Watkins, Scott Sanders, Jim Hubler

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Write Up:
Those attending were Scott Sanders, Bill (AKA Jim), Jessica Watkins, Anja Krusel, Woody Dover, Rob Byrne, and Don Norton Total miles of trip approxamily 76 miles mileage varied each day from 6.5 miles - 13 miles 8-1 Meet at Atlanta Airport Scott,Jess,Woody,Rob,Don.left for S F at 11:30am arrived at 1:30 picked up rental van and went to Half Moon Bay to have lunch at San Benito House and then to Santa Cruz/Costanoa Pescadero KOA to camp for the night. 8-2 Got up early this morning to drive into S F amd to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge but fog was very thick could not see the bridge. We drove up Mtn. but the fog was so heavy you could only see top of bridge. We went around Mtn. and ran into a 5 minute red light ( the reason it was so long was that it went through a tunnel and it was only 1 lane after we got trough we drove to S F Airport to pick up Bill and Anja. From there we headed to Yosemite but before we arrived in Yosemite we made a side trip to Stockton REI to buy fuel. Was about lunch time and a REI Employee suggested we go to Miguel's Mexican Restaurant Don, Woody and Rob tried a new dish "cow's feet soup" could not get Jess to try it but we tried, we all agreed that it was bad. So we decided to order something else. We had a great lunch and proceeded afterwards to Yosemite. We arrived at the park around 4:45pm to get permit and Bear Canisters and other information. Had dinner and then went to find campsite. We found a nice site in North Pines. Several people sleep under the stars. Woody was awaken during the night by a bear looking for a handout. Everyone was amazed at the scenery driving into the park. We all seperated our gear that we were going to carry into the backcountry. All thing with a scent that they were going to leave behind had to be put into a bear box away from the car. After we got permit and had dinner most took shuttle bus to take pictures of the amazing scenery. 8-3 We started our hike about 8:00am. We started around 4030' and had a very long climb (Anja took wrong trail and I got concerned and sat down hoping she would show up she did eventually) to Nevada Falls spent about 1 hour there enjoying the scenery and the falls from there we hiked about 2 miles to Little Yosemite Valley Campsite. Elevatin about 7500' Bill also took wrong trail and we did not see him until we got to camp. 8-4 Started at 3:15 went to Half Dome to watch Sun Rise after we spent some time looking around on Half Dome we hiked about .5 miles to have breakfast and resupply our water bottles. Group split up 4 went up Cloud Rest and 3 took the John Muir Trail and meet back up at Sunrise Lake where we camped. My water filter almost quit working but would pump water slowly another clear night so most will sleep under the stars. 8-5 Started from Sunrise lake about 9:15 headed to Long Meadows and then to Catheral Pass for lunch and some rest. Then on to Lower Catheral Lake to camp. After dinner we went up on a Mtn. to watch Sun Set. Woody went a little higher and reported back that we missed out on some awsome views but I think every view in Yosemite is a great view. Afterwards we returned to camp where we talked for a while and then went to bed another night under the stars for a few. It started to rain but fortunately for us it was only a few drops but everyone was running for cover. 8-6 Left Catheral Lake about 8:40. Arrived at Tuolumne Meadows (now that is a tongue twister or rather a Indian name)around 11:15 grill did not open until 11:30 so had to wait for those hamburgers no trail food for lunch. Started hiking in Lyell Canyon around 1:20 Found several swimming holes but we found the ultimate swim hole Rob and Woody said this was a better swim hole than Jack Falls and not as crowded in fact we had it to ourselves. Almost forgot we were able to purchase a new water filter thanks Jim I mean Bill.Was going to McClure Creek to camp but decided to find another camp site and take a swim my was it hot could take a swim and within an hour everything was dry. Had dinner stored things in the bear canister and then talked a while and went to bed. There is a chance of rain tonight so the few that usually sleep under the stars decided to put up tent instead of going to bed and be awaken by the rain. 8-7 Took a day hike to Donahue Pass today (11,000') Left camp about 9:30 about half way up a few decided to turn around, four of the team went on up to the Pass. We were treated to a great view there is a small glacier that will probably be gone in a few years. You almost have a 360 degree view. While we we having lunch we were visited by a marmot looking for a handout like all wildlife in the park you scare them away if you feed them they will become dependent on human food and will forget how to search for food in the wild. While at Donahue Pass we found a small lake with snow on one side so Woody decided to form a polar bear club so he took a swim "BUR" he is president,vice president and treasury if fact he is the only member. Would you care to join the club if so contact Woody and find out the requirements for membership he will be glad to have a new member. After a few more photos we started down after we got back into the canyon we decided it was time to take a swim. We swam for about 30 minutes and then headed on to camp by the time we got to camp we were dry. Camp was about 20 minutes away. We all made dinner had some good German Chocolate good conversation and then went to bed after we stored scented items in bear canister. Kind of a easy or short day tomorrow about 9 miles but a lot of elevation gain more great views and swimming holes await. This group has to come up with a name, lets see what tomorrow brings. Good Night 8-8 Left camp about 9:30. We came up with several names (Dirty Six, or Dirty Half Dozen but nothing caught anyones attention) oh well. After the big climb we had lunch at Evelyn Lake the wind was blowing mighty strong and with snow banks close by it was pretty cold if you did not find cover behing some trees or a big boulder. After a 30 minute lunch we moved on to Fletcher Lake to camp Anja, Jess, Woody and Bill climbed Fletcher Peak to Hanging Basket Lake Woody reported that he could see Ireland Lake but was unable to get down to the lake. There was a ranger at the High Sierra Camp that came by to invite us to a ranger talk about the surrounding area, he gave a star gazing talk later on but we decided to skip the talk because the wind was blowing to hard and it was very cold. Good night 8-9 Broke camp around 9:00 hiked to Lewis Creek Trail and down to Vogelsang Lake and then had a hard climb to Vogelsang Pass (10,500') and from there to Merced Lake it was pretty much down hill. We stopped about half way to have lunch and a brief rest we then went on to Merced Lake and camping area. We even had flush toilets there. We also enjoyed another ranger talk about the "bears" after the talk we all called it a night. We are going to have a long hike tomorrow. 8-10 Broke camp at Merced Lake at 7:00 this morning we will hike about 12 miles today to the valley floor the group decided that they had rather make a long hike instead of camping at Little Yosemite Valley. About half way down the trail (it parelles the Merced River) we found a big boulder that the river runs over and makes for a great sliding rock we played in the water for about 30 minutes it was a lot of fun but we had a few more miles to go. when we reached the valley floor we went to take showers and then went to have pizza and a long talk about a great trip. All seem to enjoy the hike and the beautiful scenery "How could you go wrong" I think Woody did more exproring everytime we stopped for a break or to set up camp Woody could not wait until he could go do some exproring. There is plenty to see and do in Yosemite. Afterwards we went to find a camp site. During the night we were awaken by some gun shot by the rangers trying to scare the bear away. The gun shots were only bean bags fired from a gun to give the bear a good "sting". 8-11 Rob and Woody hiked up El Capatan Peak for the day that hike added about 6-7 miles on the overall hike. The others went sight seeing to take more photos and some just took it easy for the day. 8-12 We left Yosemite Valley and drove to Glacier Point what a view and from there we drove to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. After a stroll the the Sequoias (I did not go because I got sick from all the winding roads) we ruturned to S F for our flight back home. We all agreed that it was a great trip and hopefully we can do it again. Next year. If you missed this trip you missed a great hike. Hope to see everyone on the trail soon. Written by "Chicken Feathers"

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