Tuolumne Meadows
6/23/25
Start: 934.2 Tent site next to a stream
End: 943.7 Tuolumne Meadows
Trail miles: 9.5
Total miles: 717.1
Today's ascent: 173'
Highest point: 9091'
This morning we got up at 6:30 for a mostly downhill walk to Tuolumne Meadows. We were definitely looking forward to the downhill. We were out of camp by 7:15 and we trucked right along, mostly. At some point someone decided that steps would be a fun addition to the trail (as we experienced a bunch yesterday), so there were some steps today too. My knees aren't happy.
I was averaging 3mph for most of it (some of it took some fancy footwork) until mile 8, at which point my entire body decided I didn't need to go any farther. I wasn't particularly sore or hungry, but I was done. I think yesterday took it out of me. Anyway, I wandered slowly for the last mile and a half, chatted with some people who were visiting Yosemite, and enjoyed the views. I got to the intersection where the PCT continues north and the road to Lee Vining goes east. There were some nice big rocks there, so I sat down for a few minutes to wait for Lindsay. We tried hitching briefly and then decided to go to the general store/post office to see if we would have better luck. Of course, I'm excellent at procuring post office rides, so that's what I did. There was a German guy Andy who was making a "Lee Vining" sign while I was asking around, so I told him I'd try to find a ride for all three of us.
Lindsay and I went to the restaurant and I got a chili cheese dog and some potato wedges. They were delicious.
I walked back out and asked several people if they were headed toward the 395 and they were all headed into Yosemite. I finally asked a couple who walked out of the restaurant and they said they would need to look at a map, but they would take us if it was on the way. There's no service at Tuolumne Meadows, so he got in his truck and looked at the GPS. He said they would take us! So I gathered the other two and Mohammed and Fatima took us down the hill! They're from Southern Russia, they said, and they currently live in New York. They're in the area on vacation for a week because they wanted to see California. They said the mountains and trees around here remind them of home.
They dropped us at the Lee Vining Post office where I had two packages to pick up. The sign on the post office door said they take lunch from 1-2 and it was 1:55, so perfect timing! We thanked Mohammed and Fatima for the ride and set our packs down on the porch of the post office to wait for it to open. We waited for an hour and it never opened. I was able to ask a few people for rides to Mammoth, but nobody was headed that way. I had my new Spot (my emergency beacon) waiting in Mammoth, so I needed to get there.
We went to a cafe so Andy could get WiFi because his phone wasn't working and then Lindsay and I tried to hitch for about 45 minutes. We walked through town toward the campground because if we couldn't get a ride we were going to have to find somewhere to stay. We were at the Chevron and I looked at Google maps on my phone again and saw that we could catch the bus at 4:45, which was only about fifteen minutes out. We made sure we had correct change and went to wait for the bus.
When we got on the bus I chatted with Feather and (I can't remember his name) for the ride. I was able to give them updates on the Sierra and they gave me updates on Northern California. They're headed back to get on in Bishop. The snow was still deep when they were coming through earlier this year.
We got off the bus and walked to the Motel 6 where I'd just booked us two nights (it was so late we were going to need a zero to get our chores done). We got checked in and were sent to the second floor on the back of the building. The rooms all open to the outside, so it was a long trek to get to them. We also had to climb a flight and a half of stairs, which was rough. Remember, I was exhausted after 8 miles earlier.
I opened the door to our hotel room and was greeted with "Hello! Is this your room too?!"
There were two people in the room, the guy was very friendly and upbeat about the situation. This was a first for me. He kindly offered us the floor and I politely declined, as we should have a couple beds waiting for us somewhere.
We dragged our tucheses back down to the office, waited in line, and got assigned a new room. It was the room next to the one we'd already broken in to. So we had a long trek back upstairs to the room.
Lindsay said I could have first shower. As I headed for the bathroom I realized the guy who checked us in and offered us shampoo and conditioner didn't give it to us. So back downstairs I went. The other guy at the desk helped me and gave me everything I needed, plus a tube of toothpaste for my trouble. Very thoughtful.
Finally I got to the room, took a shower, Lindsay did the same, and we went out to dinner at a bar across the street that offered fried pickles.
I've found that my appetite is seriously beginning to drop off. I'm not sure what to do about it. I ate my fried pickle appetizer and couldn't eat my half of a salad. Last night for dinner I only ate half a mountain house and it felt like plenty. I know I'm burning a decent number of calories a day, so I need to eat more, but I'm just not very hungry. I thought it would be better with town food, but it's about the same.
We finished our dinner, went back to the hotel and crashed.
To adventure and beyond!
Love, Mission
I’m glad your hotel break in wasn’t at a more awkward moment! Wow! Glad you were able to get another room. Can’t believe he offered you the floor!! Booo.