Hello, Yosemite Nat'l Park! Sat, 9/9/17

We debated about going to Yosemite today, it being a Saturday and probably crowded with weekenders.  But, what the heck, anywhere we went might be overrun.  Since Labor Day is history, however, many tourists have returned home, so we crossed our fingers.  The air seemed clear enough, considering the western states are burning to a crisp, including a fire in Yosemite.  We're on the eastern side of the park and don't plan to descend into the valley.  We encountered no long line at the Tioga Pass (9,945') entrance, and drove to Tuolumne Meadows, 12 miles into the park.  

Looks pretty good going into the park.

Maybe a tad hazy. but still so picturesque.

Near Tuolumne Meadows V/C, cars were parked all over the place.  The meadow looked inviting, but too many people taking selfies made it less so IMHO.   At the V/C, we asked Ranger Rick for the "path less traveled" kind of hike and he obliged by recommending two (Gaylor and Elizabeth Lakes).  We opted for the longer (and closer) of the two - Elizabeth Lake (at the red check mark, above).

I'm here to report that the third time's the charm:  We remembered our sandwiches AND we each had a long-sleeved shirt to slip into if we got cool.  

It wasn't until we reached the trail head that we discovered we'd be hiking five miles R/T with a steep 1,000' elevation gain.  We gave some thought to going elsewhere, doing a different hike, but we like a challenge, so heigh-ho, heigh-ho, off we go on the boulder-strewn path.  We had our hiking poles, warm shirts, water, Gatorade, and lunch.  All we needed was strength!

The trail climbed steadily for the first mile.  We paused at the top of each long grade to catch our breath.  Did I mention that the trail head elevation was approx 8,500'?  Luckily, we seem acclimated to higher elevations, without headaches or nausea, but the air is thin up here.  We stopped as often as we needed.

The ranger was correct - we encountered few other hikers.  No doubt the high elevation and relentless uphill discourages many people.  It was quiet.  Tranquil.

After a mile, the trail widened, evened out and the area on both sides opened up, and it was like walking in a fairyland of green -- Red and White Fir trees and Spruces and a carpet of some kind of tiny green alpine ground cover.  The trail was wide enough here that we could walk abreast, hold hands if we wanted to!  Babbling Unicorn Creek kept us company at times.  Stellar views.

You can see the trail narrowed again, following the creek as we neared the lake.

The ground was spongy at this point, and we had to find a way across the creek.

Unicorn Peak, easily seen in the reflection.

Ahhh, we knew a pearl would be waiting for us after our effort.  Glacially carved Elizabeth Lake is flat-out beautiful.  After our lunch we hopped another snow melt stream (below) to hike around the lake.  (While we ate, a Clark's Nutcracker squawked from a nearby tree top.)  It took us the better part of an hour to walk around it, yet this alpine lake is still small enough to feel personal. Ringed by evergreens and bordered on two sides by great granite promontories (one is Unicorn Peak) that rise in steep and spectacular fashion from lake's edge, it's well worth the hike.  So worth it that it could become habit-forming.

We both made it!

Unicorn Creek begins here.

Of course we had on our over-shirts, as clouds had moved in and, let's face it, we were standing next to snow at 9,508'.  We clambered over and around some fairly large boulders to touch the snow field.

I didn't actually touch it; I wanted it left as it was.

Yes, we were both surprised to see bright flowers blooming in the lee of the snow, including vivid Indian Paintbrush.  I added the spotted mushroom 'cause I've never seen one.

In all, the hike was something over six miles.  We made our way down the mountain much faster than the hike up, naturally, tho going down had its hazards because it was so steep. You can just make out Jimmy's backpack as he descends.  We'd rate it as moderate because of the hefty 1,000' elevation gain/loss.  We count our blessings every day that we're physically able to be Out and About climbing like this; we don't take it for granted.

On the way back to Tergel, we captured these colors.

Snug inside Tergel, and after dinner, it rained!  We've had raindrops every day since we left last Wednesday.  Nothing that amounts to much, but today's rain might have made a mark in the ol' rain gauge!  And looky-here, I knew this was a great campsite!  We've loved it.

Three great days of hiking.  Tomorrow we rest as we hit the road for points east.