A Happy Camper

We loved getting this note from one of our readers:

Hi M&P,

Thank you so much for getting me started on the right foot for my trip to Yosemite last weekend. I reserved for Young Lakes via Dog Lake. When I got to the wilderness office to get my permit and bear canister, I learned that the Tuolumne area of Yosemite is still under snow and the rangers said I would have to forge my own trail in some areas. Being new to this… I did some research and opted for the Porcupine Creek trailhead. I ended up hiking to North Dome, then going across to Yosemite Peak/Yosemite Creek and Falls, then coming back to Yosemite Peak to camp for the night.

It stormed like crazy at night and I got nervous that it would be storming all day, so I woke up early and opted for going the “easy” way out, straight down to Yosemite Valley. Little did I know that this route was all rocky switchbacks and was far from easy. When I got to the Valley, I learned that the hiker bus did not start until later in the season, so I ended up making a hitchhiking sign to get back to my car on Tioga Road. A nice hiker couple (who mentioned that they had taken many hitchhiking rides in their heyday) picked me and another girl up and took me back to the car.

The whole trip was life changing. I met so many friendly people along the way and saw some of the most beautiful natural landscapes while at Yosemite. I genuinely want to thank you again for your detailed recommendation for my trip. This weekend I did Big Sur on my own too, and camped along Pine Crest Trail. Next weekend I plan on going to Tahoe and trying to find a trail there!

Sincerely,

Sara

We can hardly wait to meet Sara out on the trail!