At the Start-Waltzing Along the Meadows

Selfie in Tuolumne Meadows

Igor dropped us off at the Rangers Station after a beautiful drive up Tioga Pass from June Lake. A long line of people stood between us and a permit, as it turned out most were waiting for a walk permit, that line opened at 11.

We still waited for a while to get to the permit counter, everyone in line seemed in very good spirits and there was a definite air of excitement about it. After a friendly quizz by the ranger (no failing grade) we had our piece of bureaucratic paper.

Alcohol and toothpaste in the bear canister seemed a little over the top and we knew already that it wouldn't fit. Our next problem was to find the trail, it was reported to be close to the Rangers Station but there were trails and hikers going everywhere and we were a bit disorientated so had to ask directions, a bit embarrassing.

Beautiful Colored Pool in the Stream

Soon we were off through the meadows, at first it looks very well worn, as we pulled away from the Rangers Station the meadows become more pretty and there's a beautiful stream running alongside the trail, the meadows continue all the way along Lyell Canyon, really until you begin to climb up Donohue Pass, which would b
e the next morning. Our aim was to get as close to the ascent as possible so we'd be fresh for it the next day, we ended up stopping a little short.

 There was a great spot to stop by the stream for lunch, the water was running down a slide and there were waves as it spilled over rocks on the way down. There was an older hiker there from Southern Georgia with a distinctive Southern twang, we talked a little about the AT, he didn't seem to know too much about the section in his home state though.

Tuolumne Meadows

 We noticed another younger couple had stopped for a break as well, the guy bathed his feet like us and then lay down to rest (like I did), we'd see them later up the trail. This is a really easy and pretty section, a good intro to the JMT, maybe a
little deceptively easy that could lull you into a false sense of easiness, it gets harder towards the end.

For now we were happy to stroll along at a leisurely pace and enjoy the scenery, the meadows are pretty and green and the stream with it's silvery water is a constant companion.

 We had a bunch of folks already camped along this section, and saw a nice campsite a bit off the trail and decided to grab it, even though it was a bit short of intention.

There was a lovely little side stream running close to the site, crossing the JMT and heading for the creek, a very easy water take for us. The couple we'd seen earlier showed up and asked if they could stay as well, no worries, Justin and Patty and we'll see them several more times before we take a zero at Mammoth Lakes.

Stream Meandering at Dusk

 I go out to gather some firewood on the other side of the little stream and Justin helps, we get a nice bunch and get a good fire going, they go off to look around and a fairly severe looking NPS Ranger shows up, backpack and all, to check our permits, looks very neat and stiff in a well pressed uniform with a shiny gold ID badge proudly displayed on his shirt.

We're A-OK with permits, and he doesn't seem bothered by the fact that Justin and Patty aren't around, he advises us to douse the nice fire when done and goes on his permit-checking way. Justin and Patty return, she has Tequila and Lime and we have Brandy to relax before retiring for the evening.