I visited Yosemite National Park in mid-July.  We spent most of our time in the high country, staying overnight at Tuolumne Meadows Campground.  On our second day we visited a small lake and hike up near Medlicott Dome and Cathedral Lake.  To the east a thunder storm was brewing.  To the west there were blue skies. We were between two dramatic weather systems. Eventually the approaching storm prompted us to shorten our hike/climb and head down to safety.  Interesting, by the end of the day I spotted the beginnings of the Ferguson fire.

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On day 3, we headed to a beautiful new discovery, Spillway Lake.  This trail was filled with wonderful wildflowers and ended at a chilly lake that we all swam in. On our way back the smoke from the fire filled the air and obscured the nearby mountains.

On day 4 we hiked along the rapid of the Tuolumne River behind Pothole Dome. This was another new place for me, very beautiful.

On day 5, we headed off trail along the outlet from Tenaya Lake.  Each afternoon the smoke from the fire blew in.  We decided to pack up and head out after the hike to get away from the bad air.  We spend our last day at one of my old favorites, Little Lake Valley, before driving home.

Last week I completed a backpacking loop in Sequoia National Park. The striking thing about this trip were the endless wildflowers.  I can’t remember seeing more than we saw on this trip. It was a color feast that went on and on!

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Our route took us through the Tablelands, over Thunder and Lightening Pass, down to Tamarack Creek and back to Wolverton on the High Sierra Trail and Alta Trails.