TR- TM to the valley
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 2:36 pm
I had a great time. Up Rafferty Creek, over Vogelsang, down Lewis Creek, up and back down Florence Creek, on down to the Merced, and followed that into the Valley. I forgot a bunch of things on the journey. Hiking shoes, camera, and bug juice were the important things. Luckily mosquitos werent bad, and my cell phone could document some photos. I didn't see anyone until Merced Lake so the solitude was satisfying.
Right before I left at the picnic tables at the TM grill, a PCT hiker was telling the story about how the night before, a bear had ripped open his tent and taken his pack which contained his food. He then claimed he charged the bear, and the bear in turn knocked him over and held him down, but didnt attack. He then got up, got his pack, and tried to start a fire, and the bear hung out until first light, where he subsequently bailed to TM. I wondered if the tale was true or not.
The hike up to Tuolomne Pass and Vogelsang Pass is nice.
I was wishing I had planned to hike the upper sections of Lewis Creek. I didn't want to change plans mid trip with any off trail exploring. I had planned to go up Florence Creek, and perhaps to Florence Peak. It seemed like it would have a nice view.
The scramble up Florance Creek was really easy and fun, and the small lakelets above were scenic.
I got to Florence Lake, and it was OK but nothing special.
The lake above is supposed to be much better, but the way up was steep talus and I didn't think the Vans I was wearing would be very comfortable for the ride up and down it. Plus I was going to have to cross snow and again getting my shoes wet seemed like a horrible idea. I was already developing a blister and the duct tape wasnt helping. In other words, I psyched my way out of it. The scattered, whispy clouds that were clumping up also helped seal the deal
I crossed the outlet of Florence lake several times as I debated internally on going up or not. When I decided to bail, and head back down to Lewis Creek, I remembered that the crossing down below was a ford requiering shoes. I cursed myself and crossed the outlet one more time (without shoes) and descended the west side of the creek. This way is more difficult, but still relatively easy. Definitely use the east side of the creek to get into the Florence Creek drainage. Most of it even though it is off trail is simply walking up slabs. A splash of super easy class 3 moves here and there that could probably be bypassed in a couple of steep gullys that are east of the creek. This would be a good area for those wanting an "easy" off trail excursion.
I got back to the trail in Lewis Creek, and hiked on down to the chaos of the valley. The whole time the clouds were fantastic, but I wasnt able to photograph them well. Clouds that were clumping, lowering, and darkening was at my heels for two days. I never saw a drop of rain though, and it provided nice entertainment and shade. A perfect breeze was present most of the time too.
It is so funny to walk from the wilderness into a store. It is a little overwhealming! All those prepackaged treats and drinks and flashing things. And people everywhere.
After grabbing some treats from the store, I headed to the payphones because my cell phone was now dead. I had my wallet out getting phone numbers and making calls. I had to check in, and then set up a ride with some friends back to my car in TM. In doing that somewhere I lost my wallet, probably in front of the Curry Village front desk. I didn't realize it was gone until I arrived at backpackers camp. I suddenly realized I had no money, no ID, and my ride was up in the air. I might have been walking back to TM or waiting for the saturday shuttle. Without money or ID, neither of those options were viable. In other words, I was SCREWED!
After running around the valley talking to different people for a couple hours, I went back to Curry Village and tada my wallet miraculously appears. I think it had most of the money left, but I didnt really care, I was just glad to have my ID and credit cards and phone numbers and whatnot.
Then, as I was sitting alone in backpackers camp feeling good, by the magic of the valley, a way to give back my good fortune soon presented itself. I jumped at the chance, and in doing so I put my own friends out a little, people who were there to help me out. Fortunately they understand this cosmic wheel, and all was good across the land.
It is a trip to think about how we enter a total strangers life for a brief moment, and become a part of each others lore forever.
Right before I left at the picnic tables at the TM grill, a PCT hiker was telling the story about how the night before, a bear had ripped open his tent and taken his pack which contained his food. He then claimed he charged the bear, and the bear in turn knocked him over and held him down, but didnt attack. He then got up, got his pack, and tried to start a fire, and the bear hung out until first light, where he subsequently bailed to TM. I wondered if the tale was true or not.
The hike up to Tuolomne Pass and Vogelsang Pass is nice.
I was wishing I had planned to hike the upper sections of Lewis Creek. I didn't want to change plans mid trip with any off trail exploring. I had planned to go up Florence Creek, and perhaps to Florence Peak. It seemed like it would have a nice view.
The scramble up Florance Creek was really easy and fun, and the small lakelets above were scenic.
I got to Florence Lake, and it was OK but nothing special.
The lake above is supposed to be much better, but the way up was steep talus and I didn't think the Vans I was wearing would be very comfortable for the ride up and down it. Plus I was going to have to cross snow and again getting my shoes wet seemed like a horrible idea. I was already developing a blister and the duct tape wasnt helping. In other words, I psyched my way out of it. The scattered, whispy clouds that were clumping up also helped seal the deal
I crossed the outlet of Florence lake several times as I debated internally on going up or not. When I decided to bail, and head back down to Lewis Creek, I remembered that the crossing down below was a ford requiering shoes. I cursed myself and crossed the outlet one more time (without shoes) and descended the west side of the creek. This way is more difficult, but still relatively easy. Definitely use the east side of the creek to get into the Florence Creek drainage. Most of it even though it is off trail is simply walking up slabs. A splash of super easy class 3 moves here and there that could probably be bypassed in a couple of steep gullys that are east of the creek. This would be a good area for those wanting an "easy" off trail excursion.
I got back to the trail in Lewis Creek, and hiked on down to the chaos of the valley. The whole time the clouds were fantastic, but I wasnt able to photograph them well. Clouds that were clumping, lowering, and darkening was at my heels for two days. I never saw a drop of rain though, and it provided nice entertainment and shade. A perfect breeze was present most of the time too.
It is so funny to walk from the wilderness into a store. It is a little overwhealming! All those prepackaged treats and drinks and flashing things. And people everywhere.
After grabbing some treats from the store, I headed to the payphones because my cell phone was now dead. I had my wallet out getting phone numbers and making calls. I had to check in, and then set up a ride with some friends back to my car in TM. In doing that somewhere I lost my wallet, probably in front of the Curry Village front desk. I didn't realize it was gone until I arrived at backpackers camp. I suddenly realized I had no money, no ID, and my ride was up in the air. I might have been walking back to TM or waiting for the saturday shuttle. Without money or ID, neither of those options were viable. In other words, I was SCREWED!
After running around the valley talking to different people for a couple hours, I went back to Curry Village and tada my wallet miraculously appears. I think it had most of the money left, but I didnt really care, I was just glad to have my ID and credit cards and phone numbers and whatnot.
Then, as I was sitting alone in backpackers camp feeling good, by the magic of the valley, a way to give back my good fortune soon presented itself. I jumped at the chance, and in doing so I put my own friends out a little, people who were there to help me out. Fortunately they understand this cosmic wheel, and all was good across the land.
It is a trip to think about how we enter a total strangers life for a brief moment, and become a part of each others lore forever.
