Troop 64 visits Tuolumne Meadows

Over 30 Troop 64 scouts and parents participated in a memorable trip to the beautiful high country in Yosemite National Park, September 19-21. We experienced some rain, hail, and sunshine, but kept mostly dry and temperatures were mild.

It was an exhilarating and challenging adventure that I am sure most of us  will remember for a long time.  I would like to thank Kirt for planning and organizing the trip and hike.

All of the campers completed the planned 10+ mile hike. Starting at Tuolumne Meadows Campground at 8600′  we took the trail to Elizabeth Lake, then we went cross country to the top of  the 10680′ pass near Unicorn Peak for lunch.  Another cross country trek brought us down and through a small canyon at about 10,000′ where we had to scramble over boulders to the top of another pass at about 10240′ overlooking Budd Lake from the south.  Our group then stalled for a few minutes reconnoitering a safe path down a steep 200′ wall on the north side of the pass.  We were encouraged to quickly find a solution by the onset of thunder and hail. Some of the younger scouts repelled the wall while most of us helped each other scramble down onto small ledges. we finally hit the trail from Cathedral Lake and walked back to camp with occasional showers. We arrive back at camp at dusk.

Map of the route.

Slowly getting out of camp.

On the way up the trail.

At Elizabeth Lake. Unicorn Peak is the sharp peak on the right side of these photos. Next we hiked up and over the saddle to the left of Unicorn Peak.

Cross-country up to the saddle.

When we reached to top, we could see the granite spires of the Cathedral Range around us.

Lunch and group photos on the saddle.

Cross-country down the other side of the saddle.

We had to scramble down a short section. It hailed and snowed on us.

The Moose Patrol back at camp, cooking in the rain.