High Sierra Topix

Hi all – back. Alas that went way too quick. Trip report/stories to follow but,
FYI, it is still possible to catch (and release) 20 inch ‘bows as well as 15 inch Goldens along this route…24 days, ~125 miles, 90+ fish total.
But to summarize it briefly...It was truly epic!

1) Yosemite Valley…July 4th
2) Tuolumne
3) Below Donahue…twin bridges
4) Waugh Lake drainage
5) 1000 Island Lake – 50 mph winds
6) 1000 Island Lake area
7) Marie Lake (Lower)
8) Mt. Lyell/glacier…camped high green tarn, below Donahue
9) Tuolumne
10) West Ridge Conness…(50 + mph winds)…Saddlebag Lake
11) 20 Lakes basin/ Saddlebag Lake
12) Tuolumne – talk to old ranger…cell
13) Valley…morning bus to Mono Meadows trailhead
14) Illilouette Creek
15) Lower Ottoway Lake
16) Red Peak Pass - Numbered Lake below Edna Lake (*)
17) Edna Lake (*)
18) Red Devil Lake (*)(#)
19) Adair Lake (*)(#) – rain and hail
20) Obelisk Lake (*)(#)
21) Merced Lake HSC - dinner
22) LYV
23) Valley
24) Home…July 27th
(*) – The old ranger appears - Damn strong hiker.
(#) - Tehipite Tom joins in here too...built like a truck.

Awesome I'm envious!

Hey, you made it back! I was wondering when we'd see you here. That's quite an adventure, all told. Really enjoyed being part of it with you and Oldranger.

No Washburn?

My X-C route last Friday (after I left you guys) went really well, for the most part. Got hung up on some cliffs and had to thrash through forest for the last 1/4 mile to the trail, but only because I tried to shortcut the route I had planned...had I done the more circuitous version, I'd have been better off.

"Built like a truck"? Hmmm...not sure what that means, or how to take it...

Was the local bear terrorizing the backpackers at night at 1000 Is Lake like it was
the 19th?
Built like a truck? Explain, if you would be so kind.

No offense intended in the least to TT...a great hiking companion extraordinaire.

Some hikers seen are smaller individuals...most thru hikers (PCT) types are wiry, 175 pounds...long and thin...the sports cars of backpacking -
Others, like me, are overweight and slow...an older model at best - maybe like a bus.
Some like Tom are thick...all damn muscle I guess, (He beat me up the trail.)...built solid like a good truck. He was wearing these "Buddy Holly" glasses and comfortable flat top...did not wear shorts...something about not wanting to offend nature by exposing those legs to anything.

He knew all the flowers well...like being in a field class - frequently stopping, camera always in hand...must have taken 100's of shots. Looking forward to seeing the shots online: he mentioned a site where the trip photos will be...I forget.

All in all, just a great person to know, and a privilege to hike with. Thanks Tom!
I like trucks.

Back atcha, Mark. It was great meeting you, and a real pleasure hiking with you. (Oldranger too, but he's not back yet. ) Enjoyed hearing your stories...and that trout you cooked...WOW.

And thanks for the reminder--my trip pics (which I finally finished uploading last night) are here.

Thanks for the pic's TT, now I know the name of some of the flowers that I saw
on the High Trail.

Thank you for all of the pics.

Right on with the right on Mark! I too am envious, at least for a few more days until I get out there. It would be nice to 'wonder around' for that long of a spell. Look forward to more trip reporting for sure. Glad everything went well.

Flip

I figured that we would hear from you soon. I'm glad that everything went so well and I'm looking forward to your detailed reports.
Gary C.