All photos © David Noble 2004. No photos can be used without permission.
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I traveled from Berkeley to Merced via Amtrak train and then via the Yarts bus to Yosemite.
I got up early and went to the Wilderness Centre to get a permit for the John Muir Trail. As I was first in the queue - this was not too difficult. My permit was for leaving the next day so I spent the first day doing a day trip from Yosemite Falls to North Dome and return to the valley via Mirror Lake.
Above - Half Dome at dusk from the Yosemite Valley
Above - Yosemite Falls and Lost Arrow pinnacle
Above - The track up to the top of Yosemite Falls
Above - Looking down at Lost Arrow pinnacle
Above - Half Dome from North Dome
Above - Half Dome
Above - The backpackers campsite at Yosemite. Note - the bear locker and the bear canister I had borrowed.
Above - How everyone else camps at Yosemite - in RV's
Above - bear proof garbage bins
Above - Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls - early on the John Muir Trail
I left the Yosemite Valley from The Happy Isles Nature Centre and headed up the John Muir Trail via Nevada Falls to Little Yosemite Valley for lunch. I then headed further uphill to the turnoff to Half Dome where I could leave my large pack. There were lots of people on the trail.
Above - a squirrel wanted to share my lunch, but I did not have food to spare.
Above - the tourist route up Half Dome involves a steep wire cable
Above - On the way up Half Dome. 8836 feet high.
After climbing Half Dome, I continued along the John Muir Trail and camped near Sunrise Creek. During the night a black bear visited my campsite (I was camping by myself) - and I was awoken about 4:40 am by the sound of rocks being bashed together. At first light (5 am), the noise of the rocks being broken was continuing and I thought it must be a bear. Somewhat apprehensive, I got out of the tent and saw my stove, billy and cup were exactly where I had left them the night before but my food canister had gone. I realized the bear must have got the food canister and the noise was the bear trying to open it. I got dressed, left the tent again and approached the noise - I started yelling out. The noise from the bear stopped - but I soon spotted it - a large cinnamon colored bear (a black bear)- in the creek bed about 20 m from the campsite. I threw small stones and pine cones at it and it slowly left the campsite. The bear canister was in the creekbed - and was a bit dented and battered. The bear had not been able to open it or get any food. I carried it back to the campsite and lit a big fire. When I opened the canister I found that a fair bit of food had been spoilt by the water getting in through a small gap in the battered lid. All this food I had to burn.
Above - The campsite where I encountered the bear. During the night the bear canister was near the sawn logs on the far right. The bear must have somehow lifted the canister over the logs and rolled it into the creekbed
Above - On the John Muir Trail - near Sunrise
From the campsite I headed along the trail past some beautiful meadows and expansive views of peaks and crossed Cathedral Pass (9700') then dropped down to one of the beautiful Cathedral Lakes. It was only mid afternoon and I had plenty of time to get to Tuolomne Meadows but the place was so beautiful I decided to stop and camp.
Above - The exquisitely beautiful Cathedral Lake
Above - Reflection, Cathedral Peak and Cathedral Lake
Above - Cathedral Peak
I headed off for Tuolomne Meadows - 0nly a few miles away.
Above - Eichorn Pinnacle, the lower summit of Cathedral Peak
At Tuolomne, I was able to resupply myself with food to replace what had been spoilt by the bear, and I also reported the bear incident to the rangers. Then I set off up Lyell Canyon.
Above - Tuolomne Meadows
The walking up Lyell Canyon was easy, fast and very pleasant. I camped part way up the canyon.
I then headed upstream and at lunchtime, reached a very attractive lake not far before Donague Pass. This was a most beautiful place - so once again I decided to stop early and set up camp. The afternoon provided the opportunity to explore higher up the valley. I set off up the Lyell Glacier and reached the saddle just to the west of Lyell Peak.
Above - Lyell Glacier - at the head of Lyell Canyon
Me - at my high point with Lyell Peak in the background
The snow of the glacier - not too easy to walk accross.
Above - The algae in the snow made the soles of my volleys red!
Above - Back at my campsite
Above - lake reflections
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All photos © David Noble 2004. No photos can be used without permission.