16 Blissful Years of Marriage!

For our anniversary this year, we decided  to go backpacking in the Sierras. We dropped the kids off at Aunt Laura's and headed north. The plan was to hike from North lake (near Bishop) up and over Lamark Col, through Darwin Canyon and Evolution Valley to Piute pass and back to the car. We packed our bags with six days worth of food and started hiking. 

 Ready to go.

 Lower Lamark lake

 We ate, then fished. This was the first fish of the trip. They are small, but you catch them every cast. 

Nate fishing.

Going into this hike, there was a strong possibility that Lamark Col was going to be impassable due to snow. The rangers told us that most of the passes where passable so we went for it. As we climbed higher, we caught a glimpse of where we were headed and it looked like a bad idea. Oh well, I was feeling the altitude, so our first hike turned into a day hike and fishing. On to plan B, Tour De Yosemite.

That night we stayed in a hotel in Bishop. The next day we drove up to Tuolumne Meadows. We went to the ranger station to get a backpacking permit. The ranger recommended Lyle Canyon (it's part of the John Muir Trail). We got the permit, and since it was early, we day hiked up Lembert Dome before starting our trip through Lyle Canyon. 

 Nate in Tuolumne Meadows (Cathedral Peak, right)

 View from the top of Lembert Dome

 Me walking around on the dome.

After our hike, we ate lunch and packed up, then we headed out to Lyle Canyon. It was BEAUTIFUL! There were a few day hikers the first mile, but after that there was no one else and aside from the occasional boggy trail section the conditions were perfect.

 Our camp.

Nate taking in the beauty!

 A chunk of ice Nate pulled out of the creek. 

 Nate filling up the bottles.

We only stayed in Lyle canyon for one night. After we hiked back to the car, we went down to the valley. It was beautiful as usual. I love going to Yosemite in the spring, the waterfalls are spectacular due to the snow melt.

Me in front of Yosemite falls.

We stayed in the valley for one night in the backpackers campground. While we were there we checked out the usual sights, waterfalls, wildlife, etc. We also hung out in the meadow across from El Cap and watched the climbers. There were a lot of them. At night we watched the climbers lights on one of the cliffs near our campground. 

The next day we went back up to Tuolumne to get another permit (the line at the ranger station in the valley was out the door). This time we got a permit to backpack along Yosemite Creek and to the top of El Cap from Tuolumne. On the way we took a short detour to check out the view from the top of Yosemite falls. It was spectacular!

 These are very narrow stairs going to the lookout at the top of Yosemite falls.

 A view from the top.

After our stop at Yosemite falls we had about 5 more miles to El Cap (a total of 13 for the day). The trail was pretty strenuous towards the end, but the views were worth it. 

 On top of El Cap.

 It was so cold on top of El Cap. The wind was blowing constantly. I don't know how people can climb the face of this thing for days!

Our camp near the top of El Cap.

Our lunch stop (and swimming hole for Nate) on the way back to the car.

When we got back to the car we drove to Mammoth and camped for the night.

It was a great trip and it was nice to get away for a little bit. Even the blisters were worth it!

This is what happens when you forget your hiking shoes and hike in Vans!