a weekend in Yosemite.
It’s Friday, I wake up at my aunt and uncles house in Santa Barbara, California.
They were just on a cross country biking trip, touring on their tandem bike. But due to some unpredictable weather patterns, the trip was cut a bit short meaning they got home early… meaning I was relieved of my dog watching duties early… meaning I could go on an adventure!!
Thursday night, I laid in bed with my mind spinning around all the possibilities of what I could spend this extra week on - something outdoors being the only real “requirement.” I didn’t know where to go. California is filled with National parks, Beaches, camping & hiking - it can almost be overwhelming to choose what I want to do. I told myself before going to bed that night that when I wake up I will follow the winds (and my gut) and see where it takes me. A road sign that calls my name, a bumper sticker that sways me in a certain direction or any other sign from the universe that “this is where I should go.”
Disclaimer, at this point I knew I was going to go north of Santa Barbara, for I will head south to San Diego with my soul friend Carmen (check out her cool work by clicking her name) the first week of November.
SO again, it’s Friday morning, I load my car up with the essentials: a tent, warm layers, sleeping bag, my aunt and uncles travel kitchen supplies, my camera, and eagerness to explore. I head north on SR 101 with calling to go to Kings Canyon because it was the last weekend of the season. The maps tell me it’s 4 hours 56 minutes and I will be there about 1 pm -perfect time to sent up camp and get acclimated to the place and prepare for some hikes the following days.
30 minutes into my drive & absolute jam session - my music pauses and a text comes through from a friend of mine from college, Bailey. Roughly summerized the messages was as follows: Hey Celina, I see you’re in California - I am living in San Francisco & I just want you to know I always have a couch open for you! Also if you wanted an adventure buddy for some hiking or camping I am always down to go to the mountains.”
All of my love languages in one message {old friend reunions, couch surfing, adventure buddy}
I had posted on Facebook asking for any recommendations for things between LA and The Bay - she saw it thanks to her logging on for her frequent marketplace browse. I message back, basically immediately, saying I am on the road headed north with absolutely no plans
she drops a pin.
I am headed to San Francisco, arrival time 2:17pm.
Its been 5+ years since we have seen one another, both traveling doing seasonal work (more on what we do HERE)
I take some scenic stops along the way (Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Cabrillo HWY). These all pushed back my arrival time to 5:30ish. I arrive at her place and there a front row parking spot by her apartment in the city, absolutely unheard of, I know I am where I am supposed to be. We hug, and she takes me on a walk to a view of the bay bridge at sunset - we catch up about our past few years of travel and experiences as well as brain storm where we should go for the weekend.
It’s brought up that I have never been to Yosemite.
After that, there’s no questions asked. Yosemite it is.
We get back to her place, she gathers her gear.
Bailey’s boyfriend, Brian, gets home and we tell him the plan, he takes us to Ocean Indian for dinner, we take a self driving car to downtown and we are home and in bed around midnight.
Saturday Morning rolls around quite quickly. Brian makes us breakfast as Bailey and I finish the last minute gathering and packing.
By mid morning we are off.
3 hours 37 minutes.
We disperse camp outside the park on some land, up on a hill. When we arrived, I stepped out and could feel a crispness in the air, ultra filter, clean mountain air. We set up tent, watch one of the best sunsets of my life, heat up riced hearts of palm, add pesto, pistachio, arugula and parmesan. The stars came out to play, and so did the Milky Way. We smoke a joint, bundle up and gaze at the night sky. We head to bed fairly early.
Sunday morning comes, we wake before the sunrise. Enjoy some tea. Pack up. Do some yoga. Set out for the park.
She remembers that her friend from work, used to work on some back country trails in the park and asks for his recommendation on a hike, given there’s 305 trails (via alltrails) it can be hard to choose.
He tells us to take Tioga Rd, going north of the valley. Head over an hour east towards Tuolumme meadows and look for the Cathedral Lakes Trail.
We arrive at the trailhead. The road we took in closes at 6pm that night, due to some inclement weather coming through. We set out on a 10 mile hike in the wilderness, climbing up and up and up. We reach the lakes, find a rock to sit on and eat our PB&J sandwiches, her can of dolmas, and other various trail snacks.
In the short time we sat at lake, we could feel and see the weather changing. We decide it’s time for our descent.
We get back to the car at 4:30. Perfect timing.
We have an hour and a half drive to the valley and arrive there at peak sunset. It was El Caps golden hour to say the least.
We stop in curry village for some wood, and continue to upper pines campground and set up our tent with the last few minutes of light for the day. Bailey builds a fire we have mac n’ cheese & s’mores for dinner. It’s another early-ish night.
It’s Monday, we wake up to rain in the valley, it’s a bit chilly. We pack up the wet tent, and catch part of the sunrise in a meadow and explore the visitor center and grab a few sticker souvenirs. We wanted to take a different way out of the park so we head towards Mariposa Grove, where the giant sequoias live (and have for 1000’s of years). Along the way, we stop at so many outlooks and special viewing places. It’s a bit cloudy though.
We get to tunnel view and we are in awe of this iconic photo spot. We are there for 5 or so minutes and the clouds slowly begin to roll away showcasing that the seasons first snow has kissed the peaks of the Sierras.
We continue down Wawona Rd to Mariposa Grove, home of the giant sequoias. We embark on the vast trail system they have, looking up to see the world’s largest trees. taking in again, the pure air nature has to offer.
The drive back to the bay was filled with gratitude.
I am grateful for spontaneous people in my life. I am grateful for my aunt and uncle lending me all the camping supplies I could possibly need. I am grateful to have had quick but perfect trip to one of Americas most iconic parks.
