Our planned trip: Tuolomne Meadows for 2 nights and then Glen Aulin TH to Pollydoom -> Cloud Rest or Sunrise -> Merced Lake -> Vogelsang Area -> Tuolomne CG or elsewhere -> home.
How it unfolded:
Our trip was aimed at getting into good backcountry, but not quite as remote as I would have hoped given our (and primarily his) more limited backcountry experience. I was nervous all winter whether he'd have the right gear, pack light enough, be in shape, etc. But all no matter. When I picked him up Friday a few weeks back from LAX it was old college guys ready to hit the trail.
Day 1: LAX to Tuolomne Meadows CG. Nothing to speak of, but great chats in the car with my buddy and nice relaxing campfire by night
Day 2:
Waking up in Tuolomne was just great. We took a while the first morning to sort out our permits. I failed to get the Glen Aulin pass-thru so we had to wait in line w walkups for 1 hour+ to get it sorted out. The rangers rocked and gave great group talk about permit process, bears, safe camping, etc. Post permits we did easy warm up hike to/from Elizabeth Lake. My buddy - from the Midwest - was already in shock-n-awe with the Sierra mtns and lakes.
Day 3:
Trek started. Already I was experience my buddy's lack of experience - his pack looked too heavy, he took forever to sort/gather/organize his things, and to get going. My goal was 730 am start time on the trail. I don't think we got on the trail until 9 am. To be continued.... Weather was glorious though and not to be deterred! Great easy hike in down to Glen Aulin
Waterfall nearby was gorgeous. We were doing alright although I was a bit shocked by the heavy steps/rocks going down - fearful of my shoddy knees going forward. Turn to McGee Lake was nice. Not the best 4 miles, but it was clear to me my friend was gonna struggle a touch w the altitude going forward. He was spent those 4 miles and the trip up to Polly Dome Lakes took well longer than should have. What I envisioned was an arrival by 2 pm at latest turned into arrival closer to 4 pm. But we snagged a great campsite in the area and settled in quite nicely. I calmed his nerves about bear canister and placing it in a nice rock-lodged area nearby and we were good.
Calm great evening and only a few skeeters hit us given the "swampy" lake area. A bunch of guys nearby were a touch loud at night and a family was across the way. We settled in and felt good although the start of much of our trip had begun. This guy here became source of much frustration and attention:
Day 4:
My buddy was convinced he was doing great. He was stoked and eager to head up to Cloud's Rest and possibly camp there. I was more nervous because a) water and b) I am terrified of exposed heights.
. So once again we set out - not around 7-730 as I envisioned and normally prefer, but past 830 or so. Our trail was down to Tenaya Lake via Murphy Creek exit and then around the bend, up Sunrise to the ridge, hang the turn to head up towards Cloud's Rest, sort out water, and see if we camp in the valley or keep going. And that is what we did. Quickly, my buddy had to get used to the rock dotted trail markers - more accustomed to paint swatches on tree trunks every 100 yards back east like on the AT.
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Tenaya was gorgeous. A quick stop turned into well over an hour - the filter trudged and trudged and could not filter out our water quick enough. We did not drink enough back in the camp so we were pounding some hydration along the trail 2.5 mile trail. Both our bodies somehow needed it post-am coffee. And so we had to filter again. This quick stop turned into way too much time. And then once complete even more as buddy fussed w his gear.... But darn if this lake isn't beautiful so happy days regardless. And it was still early in the day so not too crowded - unlike our drive by after the trip when hundreds / mobs descended on it for summertime play.
Then up Sunrise ridge:
My buddy was spent from the 800 foot climb in that final mile. It was definitely tough and our late start had us pushing it in the middle of the day with more heat on our backs. He was struggling. Yes, definitely a slower climb. He was not quite prepared, but we pushed to the ridge and then stopped for quick rest and bite once there. And he pulled out his cell phone! And even got a line out to his wife back home! We were def. not as backcountry as I envisioned. No matter, we fueled up on food or family and plodded on to Cloud's Rest. We had to take a break to fill all our reservoirs, etc for the evening and following morning at the lake along the way, which was another 90 minute setback!
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And then the climb to Cloud's Rest. I felt amazing, but the altitude and second major climb of day was kicking my friend's butt whom I learned night before had also brought along a Crazy Creek chair and another 5-6 lbs of gear that likely put his start weight pushing up to 45 lbs or so. So he struggled.I was scared of the final bit up knowing my fear of heights, but the views were looking great and excitement was high. I rushed along quickly and waited periodically for buddy to catch up.
And then near the ridge. I was excited and scared:
Our spot was perfect and evening light was unreal. My buddy spent time outside that night gazing at the stores, while I just kept poking head out to take a peak. He covered sunset, I got sunrise. The early morning was also gorgeous, if not more so.
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I knew more was coming.. all very nice.. This is how we learn.. And I've done the behind the mules thing a few times. I pull off for a half hour and drink water..
