Ted's Hiking World John Muir–Lyell Canyon Trail
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite NP

June 26, 2024

This is last week that one can enter Yosemite without a permit, at least for most of the next two months.  During this relative heat wave, Gary and I have opted for a long drive in order to do an easy stroll in the Yosemite high-country.

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The only listed destination we'll visit today is the footbridge

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Fishing the Dana Fork Tuolumne River

This stream flows westward from the southern slope of Mount Dana itself.  When driving into the park from Tioga Pass, the creek you see beside the road is the Dana Fork.

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There is a lot of activity at the upcoming series of footbridges.

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This is a fun place

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The Lyell Fork Tuolumne River drains the highest snowfields in the park, 20 miles to the south

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Inocybaceae fungi

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Beautiful even in death

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Approaching another high footbridge

Rafferty Creek begins just south of Tuolumne Pass near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp.

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Upstream *
Downstream

My tree-identification app is confused about this one:

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Western Yellow Pine ??

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Dark Throated Shooting Stars

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Mellow going

Two and a half miles out, a couple that just passed by us already has turned around and is heading back; we opt to do the same when we encounter a particularly muddy trail segment.

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Starting back

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The view from our lunch spot

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Lambstongue Ragwort *
Slender Cinquefoil

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Tioga Peak in the distance

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Agaricaceae fungi

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Back at the Lyell Fork

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Lots of backpackers coming through here

Of course, that is to be expected on the world's premier hiking trail.

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Mammoth Peak, 12112'

I have unfinished business on the far side of that mountain.

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It looks good enough to drink, and probably is

My phone app still is confused:

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This bark looks nothing like that of a Ponderosa Pine

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Rydberg's Penstemon *
Brewer's Lupine

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A ranger has an audience


§: Well, I didn't see Lyell Canyon; in fact, we turned back just before reaching it.  I'll have to return because it remains on my bucket list, and there is plenty else to explore as well.  Gary also is planning to revisit this trail with his bride, because every walk in Tuolumne Meadows is a memorable experience.

Scenery *
Difficulty *
Flowers *

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