A long day on the trail is a kind way to describe the trek from May Lake to Sunrise high sierra camp. Miles are just a silly way to look at anything in the Sierra. Nothing is level and oxygen at 7,000 to 10,00 feet is much different than anything experienced at or near sea level. I don’t think there is a way to train for this terrain. Few can find anything like this near most major cities and the only way to fully acclimate to these elevations is to be there a day or two before the hike, which few hikers can afford. Our workshop groups meet the afternoon before the hike and I’ve found that a slight headache can result on the first day on the trail. I’ve never had anyone in serious trouble but even on this, our third full day and forth night out, I’m now experiencing the toughest day so far … by far!

The terrain is everything. Distance measured in miles is usually meaningless. The great Yosemite trail signs give mileage to a lot of areas and they are fun to read but I caution the group that is all they should be. Fun! This point is never so well made as it is here beyond Pluto Point now headed for Sunrise high camp . After a long break in a place that everyone seems not at all anxious to leave, none more so than me, we head out and the mindset and trail signs say we’ve done most of the days hike already and thoughts turn to the lemonade that each of the camps make available to all in camp during the day and is a welcomed treat at the end of the days hike. Of course there is no refrigeration in camp except for the kitchen run by propane supplied by mule train, but no one cares. It’s the nectar of the gods at this moment and one or two more cups seems to follow the declaration of “OK, last one”.

About an hour of gradual uphill that seems a relief at first from the steep grade already accomplished both this feeling and the thoughts about the day ending, even with lemonade are dispensed with and the group comes up with voiced comments that I hope are not questions. Sentences usually start with statements that range from … where is this place anyway, to who’s bright idea was this in the first place? My response, if anyone thought I heard these, is “Well we are a lot closer now than when we started this morning” is usually met with the expected and deserved disdain. The simple fact is that we will get there when we get there but if you miss the beauty of where you are you’ll certainly not be any happier when you do reach camp. That’s why we take breaks. Stop, look and listen. Oh yea, photograph too!

Since Sunrise high sierra camp is located on the far side of the ridge we have been climbing all day, camp presents us now with our first real vista of the Clark Range.

And it’s stunning!

Donald Tressider, the forth president of Stanford University, with his wife Mary Curry of the Curry Village in Yosemite Valley family found the Sunrise area so appealing that they would camp there every summer. When the high camp at Tenaya Lake had to be abandoned after the new Tioga road completion brought so many visitors that is was not sustainable the couple campaigned for many years to replace it with what is now the newest by far of all the camps. Built in 1961 it is unlike most of the others that were established in some cases a half century prior. All have one thing in common though and that is they all are situated in a beautiful and remote places. Sunrise sits on a ledge overlooking a meadow that is large enough to almost overshadow the incredible peaks in the distance.

Compositions are everywhere! Perspective is difficult at times. Clear skies make distances seem even greater and passing weather can be so dramatic that one is almost overwhelmed trying to define detail. If we are fortunate to be early enough in the season (season is only about 9 weeks) and the snow pack and rain fall good the winter before, we find the meadow before us lush and green. If not the meadow has usually gone into decline and is brown and appears lifeless. My solution to the second is to use a longer lens and isolate. For years I’ve backpacked with a Canon 200 2.8 and 1.4 extender. The 200 is the only longer Canon L lens that is not tan in color and is short and light comparatively. With the 1.4 I’m out about 320mm or so if needed. Here with that combination at the end of a very long day a segment of the Clark Range and Mt. Galen Clark makes anything and everything that has happened before this moment a distant memory!

Singh-Ray ColorCombo polarizer. 4hs neutral grad

Want to see more images of the Yosemite high country? Check out my Yosemite Gallery

Be a part of next summer’s adventure. Contact me

Next ……. The Banana Belt!