Tuolumne Meadows was a different scene than in the Valley. At 8,600' elevation there were snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows.
There were also many granite domes that were dotted with erratics. These boulders were left behind after the receding glaciers left them where they are today.
We went on two hikes that took us to old mining 'towns'. The Great Sierra Mine sits up high at 10,760' with beautiful views of Middle and Upper Gaylor Lakes. There are remains of several stone cabins and we found three open pit mines. The colors of the rock turned the mountains red. It was beautiful against the deep blue lakes, white snow, and green shrubs. The other mining town we hiked to was Bennetville which still had mining equipment and wooden huts to explore. Some of the old equipment was manufactured in Philadelphia!
We did another hike to Twenty Lakes Basin, which is actually in the USFS, not the National Park. During the five-mile loop I don't think we were ever out of sight of water - a lake, a stream, a waterfall.
We had to cross several streams - either rock-hopping or logs - and several snow fields. We're so glad our friends talked us into getting our Leki Trekking Poles years ago. They really help me on steep hikes and snow crossings. I have these crazy fears: with river crossings, I always see me falling on wet rocks; with snow crossings, I always imagine myself sliding down the snow pack into the freezing glacial lake. I know its crazy, but sometimes we can't control our fears. Yet, I still love the adventure of these types of hikes.
We had asked the Ranger for recommendations on hikes when we first got to Tuolumne. She said that any hike we'd do in that area would be unforgettable. I believe she is right.
There were also many granite domes that were dotted with erratics. These boulders were left behind after the receding glaciers left them where they are today.
We went on two hikes that took us to old mining 'towns'. The Great Sierra Mine sits up high at 10,760' with beautiful views of Middle and Upper Gaylor Lakes. There are remains of several stone cabins and we found three open pit mines. The colors of the rock turned the mountains red. It was beautiful against the deep blue lakes, white snow, and green shrubs. The other mining town we hiked to was Bennetville which still had mining equipment and wooden huts to explore. Some of the old equipment was manufactured in Philadelphia!
We did another hike to Twenty Lakes Basin, which is actually in the USFS, not the National Park. During the five-mile loop I don't think we were ever out of sight of water - a lake, a stream, a waterfall.
We had to cross several streams - either rock-hopping or logs - and several snow fields. We're so glad our friends talked us into getting our Leki Trekking Poles years ago. They really help me on steep hikes and snow crossings. I have these crazy fears: with river crossings, I always see me falling on wet rocks; with snow crossings, I always imagine myself sliding down the snow pack into the freezing glacial lake. I know its crazy, but sometimes we can't control our fears. Yet, I still love the adventure of these types of hikes.
We had asked the Ranger for recommendations on hikes when we first got to Tuolumne. She said that any hike we'd do in that area would be unforgettable. I believe she is right.
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