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. 

Two people sitting on a fallen log in a forest, looking at a map together.

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.

A Troop 333 Eagle Scout hikes up a rocky mountain incline in Yosemite with large granite cliffs and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
A troop 333 Boy Scout hiking up the grueling Snow Creek trail in Yosemite, using a trekking pole and carrying a large backpack.
A young Troop 333 scout stands on a large rock overlooking Half Dome at sunset.

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.

A Scout wearing a dark jacket with a hood, sitting on a large rock overlooking Yosemite Valley, looking at a camera, with large granite cliffs in the background during twilight.
Sunlit face of Half Dome at Golden Hour, surrounded by rocky slopes and green trees at the base, under a clear blue sky.
Dark night scene of people standing and sitting on rocks by a river with waterfalls in a forest, and a starry sky overhead.
A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with tall pine trees and a prominent granite dome in the background under a clear sky.

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

A group of hikers walking on a dirt trail through a forested area with tall trees and clear blue sky.

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. 

A hiker with a large backpack and a sun hat standing on a rocky trail in a mountainous forested area.
A peaceful forest scene with tall pine trees, a grassy meadow, and a distant snow-capped mountain under a clear blue sky.

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.

A lake surrounded by forested mountains under a clear sky. Photo by Jonathan Yang.

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.

Topographic map with contour lines showing elevation, with labels for 3000, 2100, and 2600 feet.

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.

Two people sitting on a large rock in a forested area, preparing food or snacks with bags of food and camping gear around them.

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.

Person fishing in a lake with lush green trees and mountains in the background on a clear day.
A mountain scene with burnt trees and a mountain in the background during sunset.
A landscape of a mountain valley with many dead, burned trees and a clear sky.

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.

Two young men, one sitting on the ground and the other standing, in a forest with charred trees. They appear to be preparing hiking or camping equipment, with one holding a map and the other adjusting something on the sitting person's knee.
A hiker walking through a forest with tall trees, some with charred bark, on a grassy trail with mountains in the background.

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.

Person with a hooded jacket sitting on the ground in a forest, preparing a sleeping bag for camping.

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.

Two hikers walking on rocky terrain in a mountainous area with trees and cliffs in the background.

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.

Three young boys standing outdoors in Yosemite, with large rock formations and trees in the background, smiling and enjoying sunny weather.