19th June 2015
Mileage 6
Tuolumne (942.5) to Glen Aulin camp (948.5)
Overnight it was the inconsiderate fellow campers in Yosemite Valley that annoyed me. Bright lights in my face at all hours. Slamming of hard metal bear containers and, so I was told, one hiker was apparently escorted from the campsite by the rangers.
Apparently they almost stepped on me as I lay on the ground without the security of a tent around me. That was my night in Yosemite Valley. I’m looking forward to sleeping in the more remote areas of the sierras again.
I woke early in Yosemite Valley and had a shower before eating an overpriced and underwhelming breakfast. I resupplied at the store and took the free bus back to Tuolumne Meadows.
Last year I cycled out of the valley past Tuolumne and over Tioga Pass to Lee Vinning, all in a day, carrying all my hiking and camping gear on my bike. This was part of my cycle trip down from Alaska. It looked almost as difficult and stunning in the bus with the exception of nearby forest fire polluting the air in the valley.
Upon return at Tuolumne I caught up with many hikers I had not seen for a long time. Wild Bill and Cheetah being among them. Last time I saw Cheetah was at Warner Springs some 800 miles ago.
I also met Hobbs, a follower of this blog. He introduced himself and we chatted about the many passes of the sierras and the visual difference between section hikers and thru hikers. Thanks for stopping to say hello.
It was late in the afternoon when KC, Teflon and I set off for a short 6 mile hike to our camp for the night. Our group of the last several weeks has split temporarily as Hummingbird and Mr & Mrs Smith stay another night in Tuolumne, they will catch up with us in the next day or so.
While on trail I was stopped by a friendly backcountry ranger who asked to see my permit and bear proof food storage container. Only 2 hours earlier at Tuolumne I was asked by another ranger to produce my bear container. We chatted for a while and he chatted with us over dinner at the campsite in the evening. Each of us having many questions about our respective pursuits. I wonder how many thru hikers of the PCT would consider a job as a Backcountry Ranger in Yosemite? Dream Job?
Next : Day 65 It’s Harder than it looks
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Hi Shepherd, good meeting you and your crew. It’s a good thing you got out Friday – after day hiking Donohue, I fished some lakes early Saturday morning before leaving for SoCal around noon. The Tuolumne campground was full and Tioga road crowded – you can imagine what the Valley looked like.
Good luck on the rest of your journey. Here’s an image to remember the last of the High Sierra:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGgvNgM-SQQ/VYcKhKnJg-I/AAAAAAAABis/2Xj-rc9do6U/s912/20150619_075838.jpg
Hobbes
Great to meet you. The crowds were bad enough when we were there. I liked the valley South better when I was there in October
Yeah, the shoulder seasons are best. As time goes on, those who crossed the High Sierra passes in the snow will really begin to appreciate the special experience of having the backcountry to themselves.
Hobbes
How will you ever acclimate back into the old world of 2 months ago? Too many people, too many cars, too much noise! Your 10 am pictures tells it all. I very much enjoy your solitude!
Yes Karen I’m thinking I’ll have an adjustment period