About a year ago Bob was approached by his good friend Darryl Seale asking what would be on his "bucket list" of hiking, climbing, skiing, biking and other need-to-do outdoor trips. Bob gave him his list including a one day hike in Yosemite National Park from Tenaya Lake, over Clouds Rest, with a side trip to the top of Half Dome via the cable route, and then back down past Nevada and Vernal Falls to Yosemite Valley (MAP). Plans were made and permits applied for, and the trip came together for Saturday, June 22nd, 2013.
In order to make this all work we had to figure out a shuttle to get us back to the trailhead at Tenaya Lake. We had originally planned on using the Park systems shuttle bus system, but everything came together so that Lisa and the kids could come along and help out. So we drove to Lee Vining near the east entrance of the park the day before and rented a motel room so the guys could get an early start the next morning with Lisa and the kids following later. This way we could have a private shuttle and the family could enjoy a bunch of fun stuff on a slow drive through the Yosemite and pick us up late Saturday afternoon and give us a ride back to the trailhead and motel before driving back home on Sunday the 23rd.
It takes about five and a half hours to drive from Las Vegas to Lee Vining so we had a little time to see the sights on Friday. So, we took a detour to show the kids Devil's Postpile National Monument just outside of Mammoth Lakes California. Lisa and I had last been here in 1998 while backpacking through the Ansel Adams Wilderness Area and Yosemite National Park and wanted to share it with the kids. This is a picture of Lisa, the kids, and Christy on the trail that leads to this geologic wonder.
Bob and Lisa among the many hexagon shaped lava rocks along the trail that leads to to the multi-sided columns that are the namesake of the Monument.
Devil's Postpile from below.
This unique geological structure was formed when a lava flow cooled under very specific conditions and cracked into these multi-sided columns.
Lichens growing on the "Devil's Posts"
The interesting and unusual symmetry of Devil's Postpile.
Early Saturday morning at Lake Tenaya to start our 20 mile hike. On the right is Darryl Seale and on the left is Jim Sundali who, until the day before, we had never met.
Jim and Darryl are both teaching professors; Jim at the University of Nevada, Reno and Darryl at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. They have been professional and recreational friends for many years and it was great to hike with them to listen and learn from the chatter and banter between them. Great guys both!
Having fun!
The ridgeline that leads to Clouds Rest with the amazing granite landscape of Yosemite as far as the eye can see.
Jim approaching the summit of Clouds Rest (9,931 feet) with Tenaya Lake miles behind him.
Darryl on Clouds Rest. At this point we had come about six miles with about 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
The three hikers on Clouds Rest with the next objective behind us, Half Dome.
A closer view of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and El Capitan in the distance and on the right.
While Darryl, Jim, and Bob were hiking, Lisa and the kids were enjoying their leisurely drive through the park and stopped at this beautiful lake at the east entrance of Yosemite. It was great to be in this beautiful park again.
Hannah took this picture of beautiful Tenaya Lake. It is a shallow alpine lake near Tuolumne Meadows and holds fond memories of swimming and canoeing during previous trips to Yosemite.
As in years before, Lisa and the kids went for a swim in Tenaya.
Here they are posing much as they did six years ago in the photo to the right.
The way it was back in 2007 when Hannah was six and Caleb was three.
The good times keep rolling...
Meanwhile Darryl, Jim, and Bob had made it to the trail that leads to the Cable Route up Half Dome. Unfortunately they didn't have permits so their only hope was to find others hikers who did, had room on their permit, and would let us join them. As it turned out we ran into a group of guys from Southern California who did have room on their permit and were happy to let us join (One of the best things about the backcountry is the great people you find there).
This is the view of Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome (8,839 feet). It was the first view Bob had of the Valley when he was last here in 1998.
Darryl and Bob on the most exposed portion of "The Visor" the overhanging ledge on the summit of Half Dome. Yosemite Valley is roughly 4,000 feet directly below them.
A little better perspective of the exposure below Half Dome's visor.
The vertical granite landscape is home to this Marmot who has gotten really good at begging for (and sometimes stealing) food.
Jim and Darryl below Bob as they make their way back down the Cable Route.
Looking back up the Cable Route.
Another view of the Cable Route. Although this was on Darryl's hiking bucket list it really wasn't hiking; maybe extreme hiking!
At the base of the Cable Route with the friendly permit checking ranger.
After leaving Half Dome we hiked about four miles to Little Yosemite Valley and the Merced River.
Here Jim is wringing out some of his clothes out after a refreshing swim in the river to clean off and rejuvenate after the 15 or so miles we'd come so far.
Beautiful Nevada Falls on the way to Yosemite Valley.
Jim and Darryl hiking out past the redwood trees as we near Yosemite Valley and finish out the last bit of our 20 mile bucket list hike to meet up with Lisa and the kids.
Yep, this hike qualifies as a "Bucket List" hike.