2022 Sierra High Route - Day Hike
North of Yosemite
This was to be a 4 day hike from Tioga Pass in Yosemite to Twin Lakes. The last section of the SHR – Sierra High Route – for use. But weather made it impractical to do this time.
Map on CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/5KTNU
Here is the .gpx of the trek: https://jerrypierce.org/Files/2022-DayHike-SHR.GPX
This was logistically a challenge. Pat and Alexandra just finished a 4 night trek and Jim/Jerry picked them up at the trail after driving from Palo Alto/Redwood City. We went to a “resort” on 395 for showers and dinner. The next morning Pat/Alexandra went to trail end (twin lakes) to leave a car and to pick up Patrick. (Confused yet?) We all checked out of the resort and drove up to Tioga Pass to start the first day hike (not full pack – that would come for day 2-4). Our plan was to meet Jim at the group campsite at Saddlebag Lake at the end of the first day.
Our Resort! “Tent” camping for some, motel room for others…
The motel room version – lots of pictures of TV cowboys
We drove up to Tioga Pass – clear and with morning light was really nice!
Over the first ascent we have a lake waiting for us (on trail, but steep)
And up the valley – the clouds are getting thicker! WARNING!
We came to the old mining ruins – a couple of old shafts and building made of the local rocks.
Room with a view.
And the clouds get thicker…
Female White-tailed Ptarmigan (thank you Jim!)
And a hail storm passes by … normal for the Sierras!!
Looking over to Saddlebag Lake – our destination!
And as we leave the trail we can see the rain we just left…
We arrive at the campsite, meet with Jim and just stand there in the rain… And wait… and wait. It still rains. We wait. We could make our dinner at the restroom, but we are all wet. Most of the smart ones get into dry clothing. It still rains. The forecast looks like at least 24 hours of rain and we would be doing difficult passes with wet (and slippery) rocks. It still rains. If we go back to 395 maybe we could find a motel and just not do the rest of the trip. It still rains. So we bag it. Packed everything up and off to look for a place to stay. We get cell service at Lee Vining and re-book at the resort – this time in a cabin that sleeps 4 – perfect. Alexandra and Jerry are in bunk beds, Jim and Pat in the queen bed. A coffee maker, bathroom and a kitchenette. Perfect for what we needed. Patrick drove up to his cabin in Tahoe and we got home the next day. Raining the whole way. We made the right choice.
