Clouds Rest

 Another hike!  It's been a lot of long hiking days for me lately.  A long hike to Ostrander, rest day, a longer hike to Clouds Rest, a long hike for work, a rest day, a short hike for work today (but it's straight up a long flight of stairs and I was running late and ran it so I'm counting that on pure exertion), a long hike for work tomorrow and again on Saturday.  As much as I love this park, I'm utterly exhausted.

Back to Clouds Rest.  An old friend from my parents' single days (that's going back a bit) lives in the Bay area.  He contacted me seeking advice on hiking Clouds Rest.  I attempted it last year and ran into snow and never made it to the top.  I had the day off and asked if they wanted company.

So bright and early, we met and drove to the trailhead.  We stopped at Olmstead Point on the way to take a quick photo.  Thanks Jim for sending the following to me!  Jim (friend of both my mom and dad) and his two sons.  Look at that sky!

The hike is long, about 14 miles round trip.  There is a fairly lengthy and steep section near the beginning that might deter some folks.  Not us!

A pond along the way.

Wildflowers!

 No clue what this is but I think it's beautiful!

Another up-hill and narrow stretch.  Nearing the top though!

 The view from the top was amazing.  There was a little wildfire smoke haze but it didn't hinder the view.  Here I am contemplating the canyon leading up to Merced Lake.

 Looking west/southwest to Half Dome and the Yosemite Valley.

I don't do this often so I hope it works.  A 360 degree view from the top.  It is beautiful.

Although my legs are saying no more, fellow hikers always welcome!

Ostrander Lake

I got out this weekend.  It was wonderful.

 

This time I drove part way up the Glacier Point Road to the Ostrander Lake trailhead.  When I left my house the temperature was in the mid 60s.  When I got to the trailhead, Little Car said it was 41 degrees.  Amazing what a little elevation can do.  I was wearing shorts and a lightweight cotton shirt.  I had my very lightweight rain jacket in my pack but I still hiked some pretty fast miles for the first few hours until it warmed up. 

 

The hike was a little over 12 miles round trip.  There was a point near the middle where there were two options for getting to the lake; I took the west way in and the east way out.  I have a lot of trail to cover still in the park.

This sign is posted at the trailhead.  Umm....

There wasn't a spot of snow to be found.  However, the wildflowers are going crazy at this elevation.  The picture doesn't show it, but in the early morning light, this meadow was absolutely stunning with blues, purples, reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.

The trail to the lake was up.  Up, and up, and up.  I finally got to an elevation where the trees thinned out and I reached a ridge.  The view was amazing.  I fell in love with Yosemite all over again. 

Slight trail confusion.  I have found distances on trail junction signs are quite accurate.  Between the skiing route sign and the trail sign, we've got almost a half mile difference (3.5 and 3.9 respectively).  That's got to be embarrassing to someone.

About three hours after I started I saw the lake peaking through the trees.  It is a beautiful place.

There is a ski hut at this location; the front porch looks right out onto the water.  Awesome views.

Lunch!  I passed a backpacker who said he went for a swim.  I stuck my feet in and decided I would not be swimming.  It was really cold!

I love how from this angle it looks like the lake would spill over if any more water was added. 

I had the lake pretty much to myself and loved every minute.  It's hard to believe I'm already halfway through my season.  When I got home I made a list of hikes I still want to take and put them in order of preference (or time required before the days get too short).  Too many hikes, not enough weekends!

Fellow adventurers always welcome.