PCT Day 53

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PCT Day 53, 04 July 2022 (Monday)

“Feel Donahue”

Start Location:	Wilderness Campsite After Thousand Island Lake	Destination:	Glen Aulin Backpacker Campground
PCT Miles Day 53:	21.8	Cum PCT Miles:	948.3
Non-PCT Miles Day 53:	1.6	Cum All Miles:	1031.1
PCT Miles Remaining:	1,704.3
Elevation Gain Day 53:	1,899	Cum Elevation Gain:	168,766

 

Guess what I went up today?  Right, another high pass.  Today it was Donahue Pass at 11,073 ft.  This one came early in the day, and all the significant uphill hiking was done after that.  Going down, though, was steep and rocky.  So, the first 7 miles of the day we’re pretty slow.

Yet again, Donahue was another high pass that did not disappoint.  The whole area was very scenic.   In fact, the whole day was very scenic.   I crossed over into Yosemite today, and the majority of the hiking today was in Yosemite.  Lyell Fork creek and Tuolumne River were constant companions most of the day.

I found out a couple months before starting my hike that the Tuolumne Meadows backpacker campground was going to be closed.   I was planning on staying there, so I had to alter my plans.  There are special rules for Tuolumne Meadows that you can’t disperse camp within 4 miles of Tioga Pass Road.  This meant that I had to hike an additional 6 miles so I could camp at the Glen Aulin backpacker campground.

Luckily, the elevation gain today was pretty moderate.  So even though my backpack is still heavy with food, I was able to make good progress.  Though I stopped often to look around and take photos, I made it to camp in good time.

Like yesterday, just about every where I hiked today is day-hikable.

The next few days are going to be relatively low mile days.  So, I’ll be able to I go at a relaxing pace and give my feet a bit of a break.

A rock hop over Rush Creek

Approaching Donahue Pass

Entering Yosemite

Atop Donahue Pass

Start of Lyell Fork stream with Mt. Lyell in the background. The Lyell Fork and Dana Fork join to form the Tuolumne River.

Lyell Fork

More idyllic Lyell Fork

Unicorn Peak on the left, Cathedral Peak on the right

Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne River with Cathedral Peak, Fairview Dome, and Daft Dome

Bridges across Tuolumne River

Tuolumne Falls

Lower part of Tuolumne Falls

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