Distance: 1 Mile
Elevation Gained: negligible
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
Critters: 3 bucks
Details:
We had finished Panorama Trail, but, by my calculations, I needed at least 15 miles to reach my goal of 1,000 miles on the year. I was debating whether I would traverse Cloud’s Rest and come down the same gory downhill stretch of the Muir Trail, or whether I would do the out-and-back up Cloud’s Rest.
If I did the out-and-back, I would find my self less than a mile short of my stated goal of 1,000 miles (the original purpose of this blog). Even though I was tired and a little footsore, I decided to take a slow amble through one of Yosemite Valley’s many meadows.
Sentinel Meadow lies beneath Sentinel Rock, not too far from the famous Tunnel View. Here, you can walk along a number of trails across the river and through the meadow.
I was taking this hike around sunset, and the light proved to be gorgeous. Ansel Adams was no doubt a talented photographer, but Yosemite photographs like a super-model irregardless of the time of day. Give the man credit, but give more credit to his subject. Yosemite makes even average photographers brilliant.
The hike itself was nothing noteworthy. This was just an opportunity to take a slow, meditative hike without any grandiose goal. This was hike was like a shot of limoncello after a massive lasagna dinner. Just enough to make it all go down smooth.
September: 43.4 Miles*
Year-to-Date: 988.5 Miles
* My calculations were incorrect. I didn’t need to take this hike. So glad I did it anyway.
scott turner hikes 