High Sierra Solo~ Part 3 of 3: Over Donohue Pass & into Lyell Canyon

"I thank you God for this most amazing day,  for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."     

  ~e.e. cummings

The perfect quote for my 3rd day of hiking in the Sierra! I have to admit, this is my favorite section of the trail... I'm hiking through trees & meadows, and then gradually higher into the wide expanse of granite that reaches up to touch the pure blue sky. The following pictures were taken as I left my campsite & began hiking towards Donohue Pass. Gorgeous beyond gorgeous these views are, and while the pictures never do it justice, try clicking twice on any image for greater detail.
:)

Above, the clouds appear to be converging over the pass itself.

Climbing the pass, I look into the immense basin below, dotted with trees, streams & rock.

Higher still, everything below becomes "miniature," except the looming mountain ranges.

These views feed my soul, I stop often to breathe it all in.

Donohue Pass~ Elev. 11,056

Reaching the crest of Donohue Pass- it's a big pile of Granite & I love it!

The view to the left...

and to the right... simply awe-inspiring!

Looking to the valley below, I see how far I have to go to my next camp way off in the distance. I also have to descend 2,500 ft or so... a fair amount of down hill.

But that's not a worry... I have miles & miles of spectacular scenery along the way.

:)

Eventually I finish my descent from high & lofty places,

 and walk along Lyell Canyon for the last few miles before setting up camp.

Looking back over the mountains I've travelled, I am glad I am now lower as a quick storm passes through at higher elevations,

while I am settling in for the evening.

When morning comes I am treated to watching the sun come over the mountains to illuminate the day.

:)

My hike out was an easy & flat 6 miles, which gave my body a rest from the previous days of higher mileage with some major climbs & descents. I didn't take any pictures on the hike out, but if you'd like, you can see Lyell Canyon here, as my nephew & I used this trail as a starting point for our backpacking trip last year.

...

On a side note~

I am now back home & have started new clay classes already! I hope to get something clay related posted soon, but I'll also be daydreaming of a really BIG hike I'd like to do next year.

Stay tuned...

:)

High Sierra Solo~ Part 2 of 3: Alger Lakes past Waugh Lake

"Wilderness is not only a haven for native plants and animals but it is also a refuge from society. Its a place to go to hear the wind and little else, see the stars and the galaxies, smell the pine trees, feel the cold water, touch the sky and the ground at the same time." 

~John Muir

After a rather sleepless night (the full moon shone on my tent like a floodlight!) I pack up my gear & hit the trail. I do not see another soul until I reach Gem Lake. 

Leaving Alger Lakes.

I was really amazed at how many wildflowers there were along the trail, especially considering the low snow pack this season. I have no idea what this flower is, but I loved the Dr Suessy look of it.

:)

I paused often to check them out, though regretfully did not take many photos of them. I love how tiny & precious this group was.

The high point of the days hike took me through a stand of downed trees...

and then gently back down into tree line as I approached Gem Lake. In the distance, I get my first glimpse of Banner Peak- in the Ritter Range...

and a lovely view of Gem Lake, where I would later stop for lunch as well as fill up on water.

It's also where I would change out of my hiking shoes, & into my Chacos. (I had developed a couple of nice blisters from the inserts I had put in the shoes... I was tempted to show them to you... but figured I'd save you from the gross-out factor) I have nothing but good things to say about Chacos- my feet always feel so much better in them than boots & they have come with me on just about every backpacking trip I have ever done. They are surprisingly stable with an awesome Vibram hiking sole. As it turns out, I would finish the hike in these, as my hiking shoes which were secured to my pack turned out to be not so secure... at some point during one of my many breaks they seem to have jumped off my pack. Dang it!

Trail signs- I love them almost as much as I love maps!

Hiking along Waugh Lake for a few miles,

I meet & cross Rush Creek.

10 or so miles later, I reach my next camp. My campsite for night 2 was just perfect, really~ nestled in the trees just off the main trail... and not far beyond that, a perfect little creek for purifying water. Once again, I am tired from the days hike, but thankful my legs are still capable of carrying me over mountains & through valleys... I am always struck with a profound gratitude when I am out in the backcountry.

:)

Yosemite High Sierra Backpacking Loop: (Part 1 of 3) Lyell Canyon

Have I mentioned that I LOVE being out in the wilderness? Love, love, love it! I hadn't been up to the High Sierra for a couple of summers due to work & school obligations, but I think my absence made me appreciate it all the more. I had started taking my nephew up to Yosemite when he was only 13 on his first backpacking trip. He just turned 18 & this is our 4th trip together. I was surprised when I saw this pic at how much shorter I've become, ha ha! I was also happy to let him carry more of the gear this time around!

:)

Cody & I @ Tuolumne Meadows~ Yosemite National Park

Our hike began in Toulumne Meadows~ this is the trail going up Lyell Canyon. Just gorgeous, isn't it? The sunshine, blue skies, clean air and the smell of forest were just amazing & I think I had an ear-to-ear grin all day!

We saw plenty of deer, though they weren't interested in turning around for a photo- op!

Though I've hiked this trail many times, the beauty never ceases to amaze me. They had an enormous amount of snow this year, & the lakes, streams & rivers were full.

Sitting & soaking in the view at my favorite secret swimming hole along the Tuolumne River.

That's me making a splash! I had to jump in twice before getting my nephew to jump in the icy waters...

 I thought this shot of him going in was a classic.

Farther along on our hike... enjoying views of the forest, meadows & high peaks.

Ha ha ha... I thought I'd put this in for a chuckle. It's me trying to fit all our food in the bear canister, which was a challenge. (The bears will get your food if you try to hang it & it would just be stupid to keep it in your tent, though I've heard people do. Bear canisters are actually mandatory while backpacking in Yosemite.) The mosquitos were so bad in the evening at our first camp, that I donned my rain jacket & tried to keep as much of my face & head covered as I could! (I hate to use that toxic mosquito repellant!)

While we didn't see or hear bears in our camp, there was evidence that they were there when we woke the next morning. The bear can was not in the precise location that I had left it... and the gashes at the top of the can were where he apparently tried to take a bite out of it, which I had never had happen before. Though so far, I have not heard of them being able to break into these cans.

My nephew in "the kitchen." Not a bad place to start the day!

Wilderness Coffee Shop

And what better way to start the day than a delicious cup 'o joe! I don't really go for that instant stuff~ I brought coffee from one of my favorite independent coffee house in Taos, NM! It's a great way to start the day & get ready for the next leg of the journey.

Stay tuned for Part two... coming soon!

:)