Into the Backcountry (1 of 3)

This is the first pictorial installment of a recent 4-day hike through Yosemite National Park, starting in Tuolume Meadows and ending in Yosemite Valley.

The hiking "team" consisted of Mike Taylor, Andrew Elkins, and myself. Thirty-four miles were covered carrying about 40 pounds of gear each (and in my case, an extra 25 pounds of body fat). The equipment inventory included a digital camera which was used to create the remainder of this post.

As we drove into the park, we passed Yosemite Falls on the left ...

... and Bridalsveil Falls on the right.

The trailhead at Tuoloume Meadows offered a beautiful and easy place to start ...

The first five miles were a simple walk through stunning scenery at 8000+ feet ...

... which featured a serene stream which became more and more rugged. We crossed it here at the "twin bridges":

In the afternoon, we lunched beside a small lake.

After lunch, Stick and Mike led the way along a peaceful but increasingly more difficult, trail.

After camping along the trail, we began the next morning with a trek along Lake Tenaya. This was to be the last level trail we encountered for the remainder of the trip.

It was up, up, up for the rest of the day. Flowers were common in the cool air of the mountains.

The trails became more rugged and difficult, and often featured rock-hewn stairs.

Next post: on the way to Cloud's Rest!