Chilly at first, then another warm day.
We went for another hike we haven’t done before, an out-and-back on the Ten Lakes Trail, which starts at the Yosemite Creek trailhead
Six-pack slabs.
The first mile features a lot of granite. You have to pay attention for cairns as the trail is not aways obvious.
Grinding up the switchbacks.
The trail trends uphill for about four miles, and then switchbacks up a steep 800’ hill to reach the trail’s highpoint.
Topping out.
The highpoint is just over 10,000’, a large meadow in a saddle.
Wait for me Honey!
We debated whether or not to make this the turnaround point, but Nancy demanded that we keep going, even though it meant a steep, rocky descent down an extremely technical trail where if you got hurt, rescue was out of the question.
With every step I wanted to turn back to the warmth and safety of civilization, but Nancy would fix me with a steely glare and swear like a sailor, so I just gulped and kept going.
Dropping down into a granite bowl.
Well, maybe it wasn’t quite that bad.
Taking the extreme line.
The trail drops 700’ from the high point to a series of lakes.
Water filters are handy—you don’t have to carry ten pounds of water.
We stopped at the highest lake to eat lunch and filter some water.
Snacks!
We didn’t have time to do any exploring, so we just hung out for a bit at one lake.
A popular spot for overnighters.
The lakes are nestled in a narrow valley that drops steeply down to the Tuolumne River. Each lake steps down a couple hundred feet below the previous one.
Finishing the switchbacks on the way out.
The hike back out of the bowl was easier than we expected, and pretty soon we were working our way down the switchbacks.
You get a view of Mt. Hoffman near the trailhead.
Most of the time you’re in the trees, but there are a few open spots close to the trailhead.
Sore yet?
Another good hike: 13 miles long, 3,200’ vertical. Nancy says she liked this hike the best so far.
It’s not a tan.
I haven’t had a shower in a few days, and it shows.
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