Photo: Pam Chisum Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, Yosemite National Park Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08125A Price: $695 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 10 Rating: M Leader:
The Trip Due to permit restrictions from the National Park Service, the itinerary of this trip has been altered. It will now follow a reverse course. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Pam Chisum Roaring waterfalls, emerald pools, and dazzling wildflowers await us on our journey through the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Our classic Yosemite trek begins in Tuolumne Meadows, and we'll continue through Glen Aulin to hike through the river trail's many wonders, including LeConte and Waterwheel Falls, Muir Gorge, and the hidden archeological sites in Pate Valley. Our 35 mile trail one-way adventure travels from 8,600 feet at Tuolumne Meadows down to 4,200 feet at Pate Valley then back up to 8,000 feet at White Wolf.
Day 1: Our trip begins at the Tuolumne Meadows campground with a get-acquainted meeting. We will sort gear, and move our cars in the late afternoon, taking the Yosemite bus back to camp. We will enjoy dinner at the historic Tuolumne Lodge, where we will celebrate the beginning of our adventure.  Photo: Pam Chisum Day 2: On our first hiking day, we walk through the majestic Tuolumne Meadows along the Pacific Crest Trail toward the head of the Grand Canyon . We will pass wildflowers and waterfalls before reaching the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. This is one of the classic camps in the park, and we will camp nearby. There will be ample time to explore the area or just relax. Day 3: On our second hiking day, we'll trek to California Falls where the "grand” part of the canyon begins. The trail now descends, steeply in some sections, directly alongside LeConte Falls. This is a sight to behold following winters of high snowfall, as great "rooster tails" spray high above the cascade as the torrent surges against cavities in the granite. We'll camp between LeConte and Waterwheel Falls and have time today to explore and swim Day 4: The next day we'll continue down river, stopping at Waterwheel Falls and slowing the pace in order to enjoy the forest flora, the towering canyon walls and quiet stretches of river mixed together with still more cascades. Landmarks here include Cathedral Falls, which enters the river down the cliffs and the impassable Muir Gorge. The trail skirts the Gorge via a 400-foot climb. At the top, we can walk one hundred yards from the trail to find an awe-inspiring view directly down into the deep defile. We'll camp along the river below the gorge and should have plenty of time to fish and swim . Day 5: We'll continue to Pate Valley where we'll visit one of the best preserved Native American pictograph sites in the Sierra and, time permitting, search for a site of grinding stones. Our final evening together finds us in a remarkable place enjoying a special backpacking gourmet dinner. Day 6: On the last day, our loads will be at their lightest, our bodies well conditioned and the worst of the heat avoided with an early start, as we hike out of the canyon and back to the cool lodgepole pines. We will reach White Wolf in the early afternoon to enjoy a cool drink at the store and bid farewell to our new friends and the Grand Canyon. Getting There We will meet at the Tuolumne Meadows Campground in Yosemite National Park. Approved participants will be sent a map and driving directions. The most convenient airports to fly into and rent a car from are Sacramento, Reno, San Francisco, or Oakland. Plan to drive five hours to White Wolf from San Francisco, Oakland, or San Jose and four hours from Sacramento or Reno. A roster of trip members with accompanying travel plans will be sent ahead of time so you can arrange ride sharing.
The first trip meal will be lunch in Tuolumne Meadows camp on day one and the last meal will be lunch on trail the final day. Backpack trip participants share all cooking and clean-up duties. We supply all cooking gear and trip food, which will be packed in bear-safe canisters because "a fed bear is a dead bear." The food is tasty and comprised of quality ingredients; the menu is lightweight, low in bulk, simple to prepare, and offers variety and quantity. Only a few meals contain meat items, and we can easily accommodate vegetarians.
This trip is rated Light to Moderate. The rating is relative, however: All backpacking is by nature a strenuous activity, and some days may be quite taxing. You'll need to be physically fit to carry a pack holding 40-plus pounds of gear at the start and hike rugged trails at high altitude. The overall distance is about 35 miles, and elevations range from 8,800-4,300 feet. Daily distances range from 4-9 miles. The maximum elevation gain will be 3,000 feet, fortunately on the last day when our loads are the lightest. As with any backpack trip in the Sierra, good conditioning is essential. Without it, carrying a load at elevation will be a distressing experience. It is important to engage in aerobic exercise year-round to maintain good physical condition --running, aerobics, swimming, cycling, spin classes, jazzercise, Nordic Track, Stairmaster, whatever it takes to get your heart rate up for 30-40 minutes four to five times per week. The best pre-trip preparation by far is to backpack. If this is difficult the next best preparation is to hike regularly and to carry a backpack, with increasingly heavy loads, on non-flat terrain. Begin with 25 pounds of whatever you find that's relatively bulky. Walk up and down some good-sized hills, or stairs or bleachers if hilly terrain is unavailable, increasing the mileage and load gradually. You owe it to yourself and the group to be in shape. Another suggestion is to check with your local Sierra Club chapter which may be a good resource for challenging weekend backpack trips and local hikes.
We will provide the group equipment, including bear canisters, pots, cooking utensils, stoves, fuel, first-aid kit, repair kit, toilet paper, trowels for burying waste, Ziploc-type bags for packing out toilet paper, and water purification. Although we try hard to keep the commissary weight down, each participant's share of the group equipment and food will be about 12 pounds at the start of the trip. Be mindful to allow room for this in your pack. For a reference, you can use 2 gallon milk jugs to represent the volume and relative weight As soon as you are approved for this trip, the leader will send you a detailed list of equipment to bring. (You can start with the equipment list available at www.knapsack.org ). It's critical to limit your personal gear to 20 - 25 pounds (with pack) to maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to assure that you can keep up with the group. Blisters are the probably the most common medical problem for backpackers, so your boots must fit well and be reliable, i.e., worn in but not worn out. If you need a new pair, it's one investment you should not scrimp on in terms of durability and comfort. Pay particular attention to the fit; feet expand during the day, so toes need enough room so as to avoid developing blisters, while the heel must fit snugly so the foot won't slide forward on descents. Also check for spots inside the boot that can chafe and cause blisters. A pair of light camp shoes provide needed comfort and they also reduce campground impact. Tevas, Crocs and AquaSocks are popular choices.
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Conservation It is said that John Muir died of a broken heart when Yosemite Valley 's twin, Hetch Hetchy Valley, was flooded by O'Shaughnessy Dam to provide drinking water for San Francisco. We'll experience a little of what that valley must have been like in Pate Valley, one of the few low-elevation wilderness valleys left in the Sierra. A movement is now underway to undam the valley for posterity--they would surely thank us--and, though still considered a pipe dream by most, you can learn more at: Beyond the immediate issues, we will discuss human development in general and its effect on what's left of the earth's wild places. We will also discuss and debate the proposal to remove the Hetch Hetchy Dam.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Kath Giel has been backpacking since she was 16 and has backpacked on all continents (except Antarctica!). A former Outward Bound instructor and course director, she has a special fondness for the Sierra. Kath is a trained botanist and has a keen interest in natural history and art. Kath leads backpacking trips with the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club.
JoAnne Lauer has been traversing the backcountry with her pack for over 25 years and leading for the Sierra Club since 1984. She is well known for her fabulous food as well as her endurance and positive attitude on the trail. She has extensive wilderness and backcountry training from Wilderness First Aid to group dynamics. The Sierra is her playground of choice and she enjoys nothing better than sharing her love of this wide expanse with trip members as well as family and friends year round. When she's not in the backcountry, she can be found managing bank regulators with a San Francisco private equity firm or hiking with her two young sons.