Yosemite National Park
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Glen Aulin to May Lake Yosemite National Park |
DAY #3 - July 16, 2026
Today we venture into the unknown — that is, an 8-mile connector between Glen Aulin Camp and May Lake Camp. Research says that this segment is not particularly easy going, but we have all day to get it done.
Farewell to Glen Aulin
White Cascade
"So long" to the Tuolumne River
So far there is plenty of shade, which is nice
How does nature do this?
McGee Lake
Monkeyflower
Crimson Columbine
Arrowleaf Ragwort
Alpine Lily
Amanita fungus
Russula? fungus
Something besides trees in the scene
Ranger Buttons
Wandering Daisy
Well, this route is easy enough, but I must say that it's not particularly exciting. Sporadic views of distant granite formations are most welcome.
Mount Conness and Lembert Dome to the north
Presently I spot a pair of sunglasses lying beside the trail. Dave pockets them and we press on. We have been playing leapfrog for a while with a big group of backpackers. Within ten minutes, we catch up with them again. Dave holds up the eyeglasses, asking whether someone is missing a pair; and surely enough, a woman speaks up and reclaims them. The good samaritans have done their duty.
Conglomerate
Lobeleaf Groundsel
Sierra Penstemon
Jeff from Sacramento is on his own mission
After running into Jeff a few more times at rest stops, he eventually disappears toward a nearby lake that was his planned destination for the day.
Nipple Rock
Last of the tree-cover
Finallu emerging from the thick forest, we discover that the real work is about to
begin. Ahead is an 800-foot climb, and it is quite warm out now, and I am
fairly weary already; but there is nothing for it but to plunge ahead.
The Tioga Road is down below us now; but we cannot actually hear or see it, so it hardly matters.
Suddenly we encounter an unexpectedly verdant area on the steep hillside; there must be a spring directly above us.
Telegraph Weed
Pennyroyal
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
The task ahead
I would enjoy this slog more if it wasn't so hot with no shade available, and if I wasn't carrying all four of the free box lunches that nobody has even mentioned. Apparently, everyone had more than enough to eat this morning.
Extreme lushness
Great Purple Monkeyflower
Seemingly reaching the top of the steep slope, another climb presents itself. Bummer. As usual, it isn't over until it's over.
Finally, the trail does level out. We must be getting close.
My beloved Crystal Range to the east
Mount Starr King is eleven miles south
Almost there
But not quite there, for it is here that my last camera battery dies; and that's just as well, because it appears that there is a big fingerprint smudge in the middle of the recent images. My iPhone will have to carry the ball from here on.
May Lake appears at last
Beautiful
Behind that rampart is Mount Hoffman at the geographical center of the park. Dave and I ventured up there fifteen years ago. (Hike #128)
This camp is somewhat nicer than Glen Aulin,
And doubtless the fact that it is but a mile from a parking lot has something to do with it.
The dining hall even has checkered tablecloths
Having arrived earlier than most others today, a staff member has just prepared himself a huge Philly cheesesteak. He invites us to have one as well; the others do so, but I have no appetite at the moment. Those sandwiches do smell good, though.
It seems that the sign at Glen Aulin was not "stolen" after all,
but unofficially exchanged with this one
The four of us spend the next couple of hours playing bridge on a colorful tablecloth, departing only when the staff needs to begin setting up the room for dinner.
Inside Tent #4
§: Well, that seemingly was a lot of work for just a 1400-foot overall
elevation gain; but we did it with hardly a rest stop at all. Excepting the
hillside garden area, the walk was not overly interesting; but it was new ground,
and that invariably is a good thing.
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