Amazing: causing great surprise or wonder; astonishing.

Grace: to honor or credit someone or something by one’s presence.

Upon learning that Yosemite National Park would be partially open during the pandemic, I seized the opportunity to visit its backcountry in an “uncrowded” state. I secured wilderness permits for the months of July, August, September and October. The September permit was cancelled due to unhealthy air from wildfires. 

On October 6th I was joined by Joel (AKA “Dr. Gino”), Mike and Chet for a six day ramble around Tuolumne Meadows.

We are wise. We are old. We ache. We are the Four Old Wise Achers. What we witnessed on this trip was amazing. Let us hope that we approached this gift with grace.

Starting at the Sunrise Lakes trailhead, we completed the short, steep hike up to Sunrise Lakes and set up base camp. Starting out on this trail is always a shock to the system, but in the words of Dr. Gino sometimes “you have to grab the bull by the tail and look it in the eye.” 

As team leader, I was pleased when the boys lit up upon viewing our camping choices by the lake. They were like children opening gifts on Christmas day.

We were rewarded by a beautiful, smokey sunset.  

On day two we did a day hike to the top of Clouds Rest followed by a jump in cold Sunrise Lake upon our return to base camp. Even though the team members had only been together for about 24 hours, I overheard a stranger comment on the summit that we must be “old friends”.

Remember: “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”

For day three we hiked to the upper Cathedral Lake campground where we found ourselves in another beautiful setting.

In the words of Rachel Carson, “Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”

Day four was a long hike from Upper Cathedral Lake to Glen Aulin. Everybody has to hike their own hike, and in the words of Dr. Gino “everybody has to wrestle their own leprechaun.”

Glen Aulin is Irish Gaelic for “Beautiful Valley”, which it is. It is also home to one of the best swimming holes in the park. 

Day five was a quiet day from Glen Aulin to Raisin Lake. The evening was cold and we were rewarded by another beautiful sunset. We hit the sack early this night. 

In the words of Yogi Berra, “It gets late early out there.”

For our last day we were rewarded with crystal clear skies – something that is now appreciated and not taken for granted.

If you are able and have the means, then get yourself to the mountains! In the words of John Muir:

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” 

Photo Credits: M. Woods

(Originally published on October 13, 2020)