{"id":4200,"date":"2022-07-23T20:09:31","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T03:09:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wandering.earth\/?p=4200"},"modified":"2022-07-23T20:09:31","modified_gmt":"2022-07-24T03:09:31","slug":"pct-section-hike-2022-day-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wandering.earth\/index.php\/2022\/07\/23\/pct-section-hike-2022-day-1\/","title":{"rendered":"PCT Section Hike 2022 \u2013 Day 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Goal: Get beyond my first night’s camp from last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sunrise over the mountains to the east of Lee Vining greeted me as I ate my microwaved breakfast and had some donuts before driving to Tuolumne Meadows. I had some additional donuts that I packed into my backpack for a day 1 treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I drove the to Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center and found an open spot near the end of the parking lot and buttoned up my Jeep for a long term stay. I made sure to take a picture of my Jeep and myself so I could see how much dirtier we were at the end of the trek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I stepped onto the PCT where it passed by the Wilderness Center and headed north. Crossing over Tioga Road I hiked through the meadows that gave this area it’s name and took the time to take in the mountains and domes surrounding me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The terrain eventually changed from a meadow to a rocky canyon that the Tuolumne River had carved down to Glen Aulin. As I neared the intersection with the Cold Canyon Trail, I passed Tuolumne Falls and then took a lunch break near White Cascade. There was a birds nest behind the water and I could see a mother bird flying in and out to feed her chicks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I took a moment to appreciate the power of the river pouring down towards the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. What has a gentle stream in the Meadows, was a roaring river pushing through the narrow canyon walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I headed north into Cold Canyon, noting how early I reached my campsite from last year. I wanted to make sure to get further than that this year, if only to encourage me to continue the trip as a whole. This start to the day was much easier than last year’s start from the Murray Creek Trailhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There were two spots along Cold Canyon that I had identified as possible campsites that should have good access to water, were close to the trail, and have great views. I reached the first area and did some exploring and found a great rock outcropping that had a great view of the Canyon and the area down around Glen Aulin. Similar to last year’s view, but higher up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As I setup my tent, I realized the spot I had pinpointed during my planning for this trek was actually a small dome a little to my south. Wasn’t quite sure how I’d have gotten to to top of it, but it was alright since the outcropping I was on had a great panoramic view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After dinner, I enjoyed the colors of the sunset splashing against all the ridges, domes, and mountains within my view. Not too soon after, I slipped into my sleeping bag and got my first night’s sleep on the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Goal achieved!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.5 miles
6.75 hours on trail<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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