What a day. 

I have learned today that I am not really fit. Not in the slightest. Not a tiny bit.  As evidenced by my sore back and my body generally moaning and complaining that I did some physical activity today. 

I learned this my doing a 7 mile ‘easy’ hike at the top of Yosemite Valley in a place I noted as I drove down to the valley yesterday. The place is Tuolumne Meadows and it is a meadow with a lovely river running through.  Often frequented by deer and bears and is generally very popular with hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail as it happens to be the trail access point. 

It is a beautiful area, lush green meadow with wild flowers, deers and small mammals running around (which scared me no end when the little blighters ran out in front of me) idyllic really. It also has a campsite, general store and post office for the hikers.  I was lucky enough to get there early enough to park nearby. 

I visited the store to stock up on supplies and the guy behind the counter was very friendly, enquring where I was going. I explained I was going on a short hike and he wished me well and told me to ‘continue being awesome’. Made my day that!!!

I set off and it was very, very hot.  The trail was easy enough to find, showing evidence of many footsteps having been there before. After 10 minutes walking through a wild meadow, lush green in colour, flat in stark contrast to the mountains surrounding until you reach the Tuolumne River. (Un)fortunately, no bears in the vicinity. 🐻

A wooden bridge crossed the river and there was a little cabin on the other side where the Sierra club used to meet (the Sierra club was an outdoorsy conservation group set up by John Muir and others to preserve the wilderness). How cool is that!!!  It is now a reading room and a shelter from storms when needed.  

Heading straight across and upwards leads in the the trail for the PCT. The trail lead through some forest area, the trail floor sandy with a mixture of rocks and steep inclines on either side.  It was the very definition of wilderness, harsh yet beautiful to see.  Quiet apart from the noise of birds ( coming from a city gal, that is very different from the norm ).  I have to admit to jumping a couple of times towards natures sounds.  It’s weird what you think you hear when you are by yourself. Could have sworn I heard growling behind me a couple of times 😬

The landscape kept changing g from forest to meadows to streams that I had to cross via rocks in the middle of the streams to rocky outcrops to wide flowing river and meadow expanse again.  All this in a short few miles.  The trail itself was very up and down which made the going tough in places, especially for a couch potatoe like myself, but otherwise it wasn’t too bad.  At least I didn’t have a huge rucksack with all my wordless processions in.  I met quite a few hikers on the way, all said Hi as I passed. Some looked quite chipper, others looked like they were being tortured and the trail was the last place on earth they wanted to be at that moment in time.  Yet, at the end, they will all look back fondly and with pride that they completed the trail but just not at that precise moment 😂. 

The views were spectacular and after 4 miles I stopped by a river for lunch.  Beef jerky and a protein bar in case you are interested and a bottle of water. (Tip – if you are going walking anywhere not or for long periods of time take 1 small bottle of water and at least 1 bottle of frozen water.  The fresh water can be drunk while the frozen water defrosts slowly keeping your back cool from its place in you rucksack and also keeping the water cold for drinking). 

After returning from the hike, absolutely exhausted but very happy, I popped back into the store to pick up some proper coffee. None of this freeze dried rubbish for me, thanks very much.  I then headed home, stopping a few times to take pictures of the scenery on the way back as the Tioga pass goes up and down a valley prior to joining the main road.

What I had failed to notice was exactly how strong the sun had been on the trail until I got back and felt the burn in my back and upper arms. I had been using factor 30. 

Guess that wasn’t enough. 

Ouch!!!!

Hence a very quick detour to Rite Aid, local pharmacy and convenience store, for after sun cream. Dinner then a well deserved beer, food and bed.  In that order.  

Night all, till the ‘morrow