Starting our little backpacking trip at the Sunrise Trailhead had my heart pounding with anticipation. After 5 months of limited activity, due to a couple of herniated disks, I was super excited to be heading into the backcountry. My body not used to much exercise soon calmed down due to the steady uphill climb. I was not in very good shape and was thankful my lifetime partner volunteered to carry most of the gear on this trip. My pack was light, but I still had to pause often due to tired legs. This gave us an opportunity to gaze back to where we started.
Midday had us on the bench with the Sunrise Lakes. We decided to stop for lunch at the final lake we passed and I sprawled out on the grassy banks and gazed at the incredibly clear blue sky. White puffy clouds drifted by and my eyes filled with tears. I was surprised by the intense joy and gratitude I felt. Stripping down to my undies I dove into the cold water and stuck out a bit further to float in my back and gaze a while more. This is my happy place and I wasn’t sure, before today, if I’d be able to carry a pack and experience the wilderness in this way.
Our initial goal had been to camp here, but the day was young and drunk on happiness we decided to hike on the Sunrise High Sierra Camp. When we arrived there we decided to hike on heading toward Merced Lake, as we’d never been there before.
Eventually, the sun was low in the sky and there was a small stream to fish, so we stopped for the night. We were along the Cathedral fork of Echo creek, I believe. Two large granite domes were to the west and they looked a bit like a women’s breast. The sky turned pastel shades of pink and tangerine as I tried my hand at some Tenkari fly fishing. I’m not very good at it, but I enjoy the simplicity of it. I caught and released a couple fish and calling it a night I climbed into bed with my sweetheart and enjoyed watching the stars slowly fill the sky.
We had a leisurely morning and started our mostly downhill hike around 8 AM. Coming to the bridge over Echo Creek we were surprised at the volume of water and delighted with all the little cascades. Later, we heard the roar of the Merced River before we saw it. This river we’ve hiked by and swam in many times in Yosemite Valley and in Little Yosemite Valley. It was exciting to be heading up to the headwaters of our old friend. Glaciated granite surrounded us and the mid morning sun tempted us to stop and dry out our gear. Sleeping by the little creek last night had everything kind of saturated. We felt a bit smug as cumulous clouds started rolling in just as our gear was dry because it looked like thunderstorms might be rolling in.
Merced Lake was lovely with a granite wall along one side and a grassy slope everywhere else. It’s very shallow and made me think on how my grandmother visited Mirror Lake back when it had water to reflect half dome. Someday, not sure when, this lake too will disappear and perhaps a lovely meadow will be in its place.
Being of sound mind we had lunch and took a swim. Being a shallow lake meant it was not very cold. I was able to swim quite a ways out and float on my back for longer than usual. I love doing this. I feel cocooned by the environment. I feel very safe and invigorated. I feel a bit of oneness with the natural world.
Heading out of the Merced Canyon was hard. Steeply uphill with terrific views. Our original plan was to take the trail that goes up Lewis Creek and goes over Volgelsang Pass. My mind was made up, but then reality stepped in and my out of shape body said no and won the debate. I was pooped out by the time we came to the junction. Old me would have charged up that trail, but the current me sat down and ate a candy bar. Looking at the map we found the easiest way and commenced on that.
Clouds played with the sun, which helped me climb, but it never did rain. We decide to camp at Babcock lake as this will make another 10 mile day. This lake is a fair bit off the main trail and just ripe for a birthday suit swim. This is my penultimate joy while backpacking. We laid on the granite slabs afterwards and let the sun kiss all the water off our bodies. Later, my honey sets up his spinning reel and catches us a couple fish. It’s still early so we decide to fry them up. (I need the ripples in the creek to hide my lousy fly fishing skills and don’t catch any today). We have a perfect afternoon and watch the sun turn the granite golden before night falls softly.
We are heading back to Tuolumne Meadows today as Mark’s sleeping pad sprung a leak and it feels right to hike another 10 mile day. 3 day trip and 30 miles. Not too much for me, but still significant, as we’ve also been climbing around 2500 feet each day. My legs feel tired while my heart feels content.
It’s a lovely hike out with lots of granite on the walls around us and mostly hiking in a meadow along a creek. We stop at Boothe Lake for my morning swim. We fondly remember camping here back in 2012 or 2013. We swam, lazed around and caught fish. Today I just swim a little bit as it’s a cold lake and the wind is nipply.
Lost in our own thoughts we later head down Rafferty Trail to Tuolumne and even though it’s been a short trip, I look forward to a cold drink and a hamburger.
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