Below we have a twenty mile round trip hike to Waterwheel Falls located in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. 

When I suggested to My Beloved that she accompany me on this hike, she replied that she would only go if The Catcher (See Trail Report Redux: The Lost Boys) and His Beloved also went – to which they agreed, even though they had not been backpacking in many years. Confidence was high, however as The Team had plenty of time to train and gear up.

The trip came off without a hitch. The Team assembled at Tamarack Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park the day before we hit the trail. There, we compared notes and celebrated our being together.

The following morning was clear and balmy. The route followed the Tuolumne River as it meandered along the large, high country meadow and then descended into a steep canyon of spectacular cascades.

This is the third time Karen and I have done this hike. On one of those occasions I was asked by the father of a large family which direction was east. After consulting my compass, I pointed east. The family then pulled out their prayer rugs and began praying. Karen and I named this spot “The Holy Place”. It was near The Holy Place that The Catcher found an obsidian shard. This indicates that the area was an obsidian “knapping” site. There is no endemic obsidian in this part of the Sierras. Tribes from opposite sides of the mountains would ascend to places like these to trade, make tools from obsidian (“knapping”) and hang out for the summer.

On another occasion, as we began our descent into the canyon we were passed by a pack train led by a spectacularly well groomed and handsome cowboy sitting tall in the saddle. He tipped his hat to Karen and our daughter Kelly and said “Good Mornin’, ladies”. (Swooning commenced!) This spot in the trail is now named “El Cerro del Caballero Guapo”.

After a seven mile hike, we made camp under a canopy of Red Firs near a beautiful natural pool with its own little waterfall. Here we would stay for two nights. 

The following day we did a day hike to see three named waterfalls: California Falls, Le Conte Falls and Waterwheel Falls. After our second night in the canyon, we returned to the trailhead and spent one more night at Tamarack Flat campground celebrating our successful adventure. I also had to compliment The Catcher and His Beloved for their teamwork and kindness on the trail. They worked very well together and were always supportive of and patient with each other.

The only casualty of the trip was the skin of The Catcher’s Beloved: she would be returning home with around 50 mosquito bites. When asked if it was worth it? Her reply was unhesitating: “Yes.”

……………………………………………………

Welcome to a new feature: “Hiking Haikus“.

Note: “Hiking Haikus” are not necessarily Haikus, but general “free verse”.

“Hiking Haiku #1”

Time: 8:26 am

Date: June 29, 2022

Location: Tuolumne River (Yosemite National Park)

“This Place Exists”

The sun’s warmth, early in the morning. The sound of cascading water – cold, but welcoming. Birdsong. Greens, blues and grays. “It is the place where water is born”, she said. “I did not know this place existed”, he said. Be happy. It does.