Field Notes
My First High Adventure Trek
Words: Justin Chang
Photos: Jonathan Yang
To see the planning process, trail map, packing list, and other details for this trek click here.
Our 33.3-miler in Yosemite National Park was the longest and first backpacking trip I’ve ever been on. It was an exceptional experience to be able to be out in the stunning backcountry for 4 days. As the navigator for the trip, I learned how to orient, read, and follow a map. I was pushed far beyond my limits and took many “steps” out of my easeful, habitual comfort zone.
Day 1
Today was the beginning of our journey. As we walked casually through the valley floor, I did my best to adapt to the heavy backpack weighing down on my hips and shoulders. I also made our group take a wrong turn, and we ended up walking an extra mile. I learned to always look at a map at a trail junction before you keep going.
Then came the hardest part of this trek. We climbed over 140 switchbacks along the strenuous Snow Creek trail, and gained over 2,700 feet of elevation. By the time we reached the top we couldn’t make it any farther and decided to settle down for the night.
Our camping spot was magnificent, with the view of the Half Dome directly across from us, the valley stretching below us, and sunset above us. It was arguably the most scenic campsite I’ve ever experienced. It was cold and windy by twilight, and the view of pink and orange skies quickly faded into the expansive Milky Way galaxy, as we called it a day.
Our camping spot was magnificent, with the view of the Half Dome directly across from us, the valley stretching below us, and sunset above us.
We woke up a little later than desired, and started hiking even later. We gradually gained more elevation as we hiked on an upward incline, and tackled more switchbacks.
Day 2
The trek got temporarily easier when we started going downhill after rounding Olmstead Point, the spot where some of the most famous photos of Half Dome were taken.
We made our way through a small wooded area, only to make our way back up, yet again, to make up for the elevation we lost. We grew more tired as we strolled on towards Tenaya Lake, where we decided to set up camp. Skyler, having carried a 6-foot fishing rod for the entire trip, had no luck when attempting to fish during the evening.
Day 3
Today we started hiking an hour earlier than yesterday. The air was cool and the trail was finally flat as we made our way out of Tenaya Lake.
But a mile later we started gaining elevation again. We climbed up countless switchbacks along the popular Clouds Rest trail, stopping frequently to catch our breath and talk with fellow hikers. It was the first day we met other people on the trail.
We took a short detour to Sunrise lakes for lunch, where we soaked our crusty feet in nice, cool water and cooked overly salty pasta carbonara for lunch. Mr. Simmons and Jonathan encountered a rattlesnake. Skyler fished. None of them got any bites.
The next part of our trek was the most remote and isolated. By this point we had hiked around to the back side of Half Dome. The trail was overgrown and hard to find at times. We had to climb over many fallen trees in the burned out landscape until we finally reached the junction with the famous John Muir Trail. I spotted a few deer along the trail as we hiked toward the sunset.
Then came one of the main highlights of the trip. I saw something moving in the bushes about 50 feet away from me in the burned out forest. At first, I thought it was another deer, until I saw the round, grayish ears. I realized it was a black bear. My heart skipped a beat. It looked right at me, and I looked right at it. It was a very memorable moment. I’m still shocked at being able to see a superior creature of Yosemite, and it was arguably one of the best moments of my life.
Then came one of the main highlights of the trip. I saw something moving in the bushes about 50 feet away from me in the burned out forest.
At first, I thought it was another deer, until I saw the round, grayish ears.
At first, I thought it was another deer, until I saw the round, grayish ears.
I realized it was a black bear. My heart skipped a beat. It looked right at me, and I looked right at it. It was a very memorable moment. I’m still shocked at being able to see a superior creature of Yosemite, and it was arguably one of the best moments of my life.
We ended the night at peaceful campsite down in a hidden valley. It was flat and shaded with a gurgling brook nearby and room for a small campfire. We weren’t able to make it all the way down to Little Yosemite, where we hoped to stay, but I wasn’t complaining.
This was our out day. We had an early start to our day, packing up quickly and leaving the campsite before breakfast. We hiked about 3 miles on empty stomachs, except for a small piece of dark chocolate, until we reached Nevada Falls, where cooked oatmeal by the rushing water.
Day 4
After breakfast, we continued our climb down huge granite stairs with a great view of Vernal Falls and a lot of day hikers. In all we descended more than 3,000 feet. As we pushed through the last stretch of our trek, we finally made it back to the valley where we started.
If I learned one lesson from this trek it’s that it's all about the journey, not the destination. We didn’t always make our goals, but we got there in the end and had some amazing experiences along the way.
