Attendance

Sunday, August 8

We left Manhattan Beach about 1:30 p.m. The obligatory stop for milkshakes was made at Foster's Freeze in Rosamond. We arrived in Mammoth Lakes and immediately set up camp at Mr. Filarsky's house. After a lengthy wait in the lobby (and countless "just a few more minutes") we chowed down at Berger's Burgers, a non-traditional pre-hike celebration. One would think that after such a big meal, a long drive, and the prior week of summer camp, everybody would fall asleep instantly. Alas, it was not to be, as the loft rats insisted on wrestling and talking late into the evening. Sleep was limited for some, including Mr. Filarsky.

Monday, August 9

We awoke at 5:15 a.m. and had a non-traditional first day breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and fruit. We left Mr. Filarsky's house at 6:45 a.m. A stop at Mineral Summit provided a spectacular panorama from Red's Meadow to Donohue Pass. We arrived at Devil's Postpile Ranger Station, made a few last pit stops at real toilets, and put our packs on at 7:55 a.m. After a quarter mile we dumped our packs and detoured to Devil's Postpile National Monument for a look from both the bottom and the top. At 8:30 a.m. it was packs on and the climbing began. First it was Johnston Lake at 9:50 a.m., lunch at Trinity Lakes, Gladys Lake at 1:40 p.m., and Rosalie Lake at 2:00 p.m. Mr. Monahan experienced the joy of new boots and cotton socks and contributed to Dr. Scholl's profit margin.

Ominously the clouds darkened and the thunder and lightning began. By the time we reached the upper end of Shadow Lake at 3:30 p.m., the raindrops started falling. To our dismay the camping was restricted at the lake and we hustled up the Shadow Creek drainage. Mr. Filarsky selected an "emergency" campsite that was technically (and illegally!) within the no camping zone and several set up tents in anticipation of the deluge. Alas, Mr. Monahan located a legal campsite further upstream and across the stream. Tents were uprooted and camp was moved. Mr. Monahan, feet insulated by Dr. Scholl, stood in the middle of the stream and assisted everyone with the tricky crossing.

Camp was quickly set up (or re-set up by some) and dinner cooked and eaten during a dry lull. Mr. Filarsky suggested converting a hike day and a rest day to two shorter hike days. Everyone agreed, as long as they got to sleep in "late" on Wednesday. Mr. Ingelman, who had talked a lot about a desire to camp at Thousand Island Lake, was particularly pleased.

About 1:00 a.m. we were suddenly awakened by a huge clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning. Some of us (but not Kyle) had just enough time to scramble out to the nearest tree before the show began - and quite a show it was! Thunder, lightning, and rain - a real pyrotechnic marvel. Even the bears holed up that night.

Tuesday, August 10

Waking up to a certain amount of moisture from the outside (rain) and the inside (condensation) is not the most pleasant of experiences. We were on the trail at 7:50 a.m.. Over hill to Garnet Lake at 10:35 a.m. and over hill to Thousand Island Lake at noon, we found a campsite on the north side of the lake on a promontory with a million dollar view of Mt. Ritter and Banner Peak - and we found it none too soon. Barely getting tents set up, the thunder, lightning, and hail started. Some chose to hunker in their tents, others braved it outside. Hail pelted off the tents and piled up in inches alongside. Intermittent lulls lured some outside their tents, only to be sent scurrying back inside. Dinner time arrived - along with the sun and spectacular views.

We had been warned numerous times about the high level of bear activity in the area - some heeded the warning, some did not. About 9:00 p.m. Brent sounded the bear warning. Sure enough, a bear seeking "Tony the Tiger" in Mick's pack had taken the pack 30 feet away and ripped up the side pocket. Bear saliva is much like snot or okra and smells pretty bad too! During the night, the baying of dogs at a camp 200 yards away was heard several times. Lacking dogs, we relied on loud snoring.

Wednesday, August 11

As promised, we slept in "late" - 6:00 a.m. and awoke to ice on the tents. Amid much groaning, moaning, and inertia, everyone was finally out of their tents. Brett (not one prone to groaning, moaning and inertia) discovered that his backpack had also been ripped, feigning complete ignorance of what he left in his pack as a tasty treat. Brett's water bottle had also been turned into a sieve.

On the trail at 8:30 a.m., we made it to Island Pass by 10:15 a.m. (a rather "nothing" pass). We passed by Rush Creek, our original planned stop, and went uphill to the stream crossing beyond the Marie Lakes trail junction, arriving at 11:30 a.m. The consensus was that this campsite was the best of the entire trip. Tents and gear were aired and dried. Some took their first bath of the trip; some believed they were made of brown sugar (although they did not smell like it!) and did not go in.

Two fishing poles were brought out and Kyle (2), Brent (1), and Mr. Ingelman (1) caught pan sized golden trout. With storm clouds once again threatening (but not dumping), the fish were fried up in cornmeal and oil. Many swore it was the best fish they ever tasted. Too bad there weren't more.

Thursday, August 12

On the trail by 7:00 a.m., we made it to Donohue pass a little after 9:00 a.m. The day was crystal clear, not a cloud to be seen. Everyone made it to the highest point of the trip. Well, not the highest - because everyone followed Jonathan up a knoll on the side of the pass for spectacular views up and down the Sierras.

From Donohue Pass it was down, down, down. Lunch was at a beautiful camp spot by the stream, complete with assorted nylon streamers hanging from the trees, courtesy of the bears. Monkey- man Brent successfully retrieved a past camper's carabineer which the bear left hanging in the tree. A nearby can, fully ripped open with the top intact, had been left by the bear.

After lunch it was a long trudge down Lyell Canyon - gorgeous meadows and the Lyell Fork paralleling the trail. Many tempting swimming spots were passed by. We were stopped by a National Park Ranger (complete with horse and gun) to show our wilderness permit and told that our planned campsite at Rafferty Creek was now a no-camping zone. So it was on to Tuolumne Meadows and the backpacker's camp, arriving at 6:00 p.m. For most of the group, the 15+ miles that day was the most they ever had done with a full backpack on (and probably the most they would ever want to do!).

The group arrived looking forward to real toilets (which existed), real showers (which did not exist), real ice cream (which may have existed, but we were too tired to go looking), and a real breakfast the next morning (which existed at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge - 1 1/2 miles behind us). What we got instead was a group of obnoxious drunks next to us who stayed up to 1:00 a.m. It was not a memorable campsite or a restful sleep.

Friday, August 13

An auspicious day. Another gorgeous day. "Uncle Jim" arrived at 6:15 a.m. with re-supply provisions; pastries, juice, milk, and fruit for breakfast; and clean socks for some. Many were moving quite slowly and it wasn't until 8:15 a.m. that we got on the trail. Up we went toward Cathedral Pass. We had lunch at Upper Cathedral Lake, a truly magnificent setting.

After lunch we went through/over Cathedral Pass and leveled out. Much to our dismay, we started climbing in the hot sun shortly afterward. Several started to drag - a combination of tired bones and blistered feet. Finally going downhill and leveling off, we arrived at Sunrise High Sierra Camp at 4:00 p.m.

A beautiful setting, we decided to stay in the backpacker's camp. Many looked with envy at the white tents with real beds, the dining hall, and the showers. We settled for real toilets and a spectacular sunset - along with the "traditional" Spam dinner.

Saturday, August 14

Up once again at 5:30 a.m. Another picture perfect day. Mick's dogs were really barking - his feet looked like a special effects display. It was doubtful that he would make Half Dome that day. A decision was made to split the group into a Half Dome group and a non-Half Dome group and off we went. Evan found a gear he didn't know he had, and even with a lengthy water pumping stop, the first group made it to the Half Dome trail junction by 10:30 a.m.

The Scouts in the first group started up the Half Dome trail, leaving Mr. Filarsky to wait for the second group. No sooner had the first group started up to Half Dome, Mick and company arrived at the trail junction. Mr. Ingelman very graciously volunteered to forego Half Dome and stay with the packs - protecting them from humans and other animals.

What most people don't realize is that the famous cables going up the last part of Half Dome are not the most difficult part of the hike - it's getting to the cables that is a bear! Everyone made it to the "saddle" and then up we went. A couple of us had been there before, but it was still an incredible rush. Some were nervous, but by the time they topped out, the nervousness was replaced by exhilaration.

The grandest way to experience Yosemite is from the top of Half Dome - it truly is spectacular. We allowed plenty of time for pictures and viewing and then headed down. Going down the cables is more fun than any ride at Disneyland.

Back to our packs, we passed people still on their way up to Half Dome (little or no water, no flashlights, no common sense). We arrived at Little Yosemite Valley at 2:45 p.m. and set up camp in the trees. Once again, real toilets and lots of bears.

Everyone, except Matt, went swimming in the Merced River. There is nothing better after a hot day on the trail than a refreshing swim. Later in the day, many in the group returned to the river to observe other campers enjoying the river.

Sunday, August 15

The last day. Once again, a post-card day. The first stop was Nevada Falls for pictures and boot tightening. Down we continued - until Evan remembered he left his camera at Nevada Falls. The group continued on while Mr. Filarsky ran back up to retrieve the camera. Down we continued to a detour - the Muir Trail was closed due to a rock slide so the only way down was the Mist Trail. Past Vernal Falls, the Mist Trail presents interesting challenges to backpackers. Nearing Happy Isles, we passed the closed bridge and finally, finally, reached the shuttle stop to go to Curry Village at 10:00 a.m.

Submitted by Steve Filarsky

Longterm Journals