Onward!

Monday, July 14

Day 2

Illiloutte Trail Overlook to Upper Cathedral Lake

17.5 miles

"We celebrate not the trail, but the wild places that it passes through" 
~Ray Jardine

Slept okay last night under the mostly full moon. I had to lay facing Half Dome, if I had lain the  other way the moon was like a spotlight shining brightly upon my face. Each time I awoke I would look over toward my backpack and the entrance to my perch to make sure I had no bear visitors. When I finally awoke for the day my right shoulder blade area sore, and it has remained sore throughout the day.

Got on the trail by 6:07 AM and made into camp at  6 PM. Long day on the trail, especially for only my second day. The hike back to JMT was uneventful. The remainder of the uphill to get back on the official trail was not too difficult. I met two girls a couple hundred yards before I rejoined the JMT  who wanted to know if they were on the correct trail to half dome. Nope!

I skipped breakfast, so I had my first snack of crushed Pringles by the bridge over Nevada Falls. I

clearly remember this area from Karen’s and my previous hike. The hike from the bridge to Little Yosemite Campground and past quickly and without much effort. from there I entered what I last time called the “Never Ending Forest”. However this time it did not seem to go on forever, and I was at Half Dome turn off before I knew it. From here on it is all virgin territory for me. The only confusing part of the trail today for me came just after the Clouds Rest turn-off, at the creek crossing. For some reason I thought the trail was supposed to follow directly upstream.  I took another break to refill my water bottles and pulled out my map.  Another pair of hikers headed up stream but quickly returned as they did not feel that it was the correct direction. Luckily a couple of hikers came from the other direction and set us all off in the right direction.  Once I actually looked around the trail crossing at the creek was pretty obvious.  I hope this is not an indication of my future route finding abilities along the Trail. My hope for tomorrow is to get past the avalanche shoot in Lyle Canyon  before setting up camp. I will supply resupply at Tuolumne Meadows, as I have sent a drop box there.  I will have to go through my food to make sure I am not bringing too much. I have not had any signs of the famous hiker hunger yet.

The hardest part of the day was a tough climb up the series of switchbacks  just before Sunrise Creek and Sunrise Camp. This climb had me questioning my commitment, as I seemed to rest longer than I moved. I kept telling myself to take it one step at a time and I would make it eventually. Eventually I did make it! I think I should have stopped and fueled up part way up it but, being lazy and wanting to keep moving I did not. Once at the top the trail  began to drop as it made its way towards Sunrise Camp.

As I started the descent the rain began; light at first, but after an hour I stopped to put on my rain jacket and pack cover. A steady roll of thunder accompanied the rain, but I only saw one lightning flash and it was far off. By the time I reach the Sunrise Camp area I had gotten my second wind and was feeling strong. Since the rain was still coming down I decided to push on as I did not want to put up my tent in the rain, and I figured I would get a cold if I stop while it was raining.

I pushed on over a mostly downhill trail to Upper Cathedral Lake, where I am this evening. I thought about trying to fish, but saw nothing rising so I did not bother. There are a few other groups here tonight, but quite quiet overall. I can't believe I hiked 17 miles today! Hopefully I do not pay for tomorrow with the sore body.

Upper Cathedral Lake