Magic of the Valley – The Walk

We walked from Mexico to Yosemite. That?! That’s crazy. I can’t believe I’m here.

This morning was the fastest 6 miles I have ever walked. We were all rushing to get to the ranger station to sort out this whole campground mess. We went to talk to the rangers at the Tuolomne Meadows station and it turned out that all the information we had was correct…but there were no half-dome permits available, no backcountry permits available, and no YART bus to Tuolomne. So basically there was absolutely no way to stay at the backpacker camp in the valley.

Luckily, Drom and Bubbles had service and found us a last minute place to stay at Housekeeping for 12 people. Phew. Now we just needed a ride to the valley. We walked to the road and stuck out our thumbs.

The second car that passed pulled into the parking lot and waved us over. He was a young backpacking guide heading into the valley to see the climbing film festival that was taking place. It had room for the four of us trying to make a hitch. He was a super calm guy and dropped us directly at the supermarket.

Our only plan for today was not to plan. So we wandered around the store looking for snacks and beers and walked towards the river. Some of the kids swam and I was very happy to just lie by the river eating cheese and crackers and looking at the rocks towering above us.

Pizza at Curry Village was rumored to be half price for PCT hikers. After checking into our little cabin for the night, we went to dinner with Radio, Little Wagon, Geezer, and Chinchilla. The rumor was true and the pizza was amazing. The group we called 5G bought a package of firewood and ingredients to make s’more’s and told us to stop by once it got dark.

I needed to put the pizza down for a bit before I could think about dessert. Drom and I went to the prairie boardwalk for a sunset walk looking at the half dome. The clouds in the sky turned a bright pink hue and the half dome lit up in the most stunning shade of gold. The sky was impressive. For once I was speechless. It was absolute magic.

Somehow we navigated in the dark to the 5G camp in Upper Pines. Most of our friends were already there, gathered around the campfire. Since much of the team is international, they have never eaten s’mores. They were living the full American experience, roasting marshmallows over the campfire in the middle of Yosemite.

Today was such a perfect day. We don’t have a big plan, but I think we might end up zeroing it tomorrow instead of going out at night. I will never say no to spending more time in the valley. It’s magical.

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