Yosemite Trip - Lesson Learned

JCavSD

JCavSD

Joined
Jun 27, 2007
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Just got back from Yosemite and thought I'd post a few pics. Three nights of camping in the Yosemite Creek Campground (pretty remote for in the park), and two nights in a lodge in the valley. Did a bunch of short sight-seeing hikes and one longer day-hike. And the lesson learned? Know the limitations of your boots/feet. For the last six months I've been getting hot spots. Changed the insoles out twice and no better. Tried to squeeze as many miles off the worn suckers as I could, but a 13 mile hike and 5 annoying toe blisters taught me the error of my ways. Fortunately, I always bring a bounty of gauze and tape along with me when hiking just in case. I really needed it this time. Anyway, I posed some knife pics in the gear area, so here are some hike pics.

Tuolumne Meadows
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Deer-o-plenty
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Hike from Yosemite Creek Campground to the top of Yosemite Falls. The upper falls drop over 1,400 feet. Total fall from upper falls to the valley floor (several separate falls) is over 2,400 feet. Seriously, I couldn't bring myself to hike the last few hundred feet off the cliff face (even though there's a rail to hold onto) to view the falls completely from above. Almost pooped myself trying, and although I brought plenty of eco-friendly bio-degradable TP, I thought better of it and didn't take the risk.

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Just before reaching the top of the falls...my pucker-cord was already clinching.
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Falls from below
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Just pretty
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Glad you didn't poop yourself. :p
As I recall Yosemite Creek Campground is where you wind up camping if you failed to plan and just went to Yosemite on a whim. If you've ever ridden public transit in Frisco and wondered where that shaggy haired pot head in a poncho goes to have sex in the woods, it's Yosemite Creek Campground. :D
It works alright if you remember to store your food in the locker (Have your flashlight and camera ready as people purposely leave food out for the bears so they can take pictures), keep your firewood in the tent, and keep all valuables in your car, and you should have fun. Provided you stay out of the rivers and waterfalls. Earplugs too. Never forget to bring earplugs.

Fun times. :D
 
Actually, I picked Yosemite Creek Campground because it's difficult to access (keep the riffraff out I thought), it's location to trails, and it's scenery. Was a really nice place to car camp except for the people part. Rangers had to call 911 and have some crazy screaming dude arrested the first night. Then, at 4:00 am the next morning a very spirited and loud domestic squabble kept the whole campsite on edge for about an hour. To top it off, most of the neighboring sites were filled by a group that meets up every year, and they were loud. Yelling from one site to another all day..."Hey Linda...come here and try this chicken, and bring my smokes!" "What?!?" "I said bring my smokes and try this chicken!" "What?!?" "Shut up and get over here!" Next time I'm camping outside the park...maybe just set up camp off-road in the surrounding national forest...and drive in for the hikes.
 
Nice post. I've never been to Yosemite, but it is on my list. Thanks!
 
Great pics :thumbup: I'm heading over there myself in a couple of weeks, really looking forward to it. I hear the hikes up around Toulumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy are the nicest in the park, especially if you want to get away from people.
 
I have wanted to visit for a good length of time, but have never had time to do it. One of these days I do plan on making it over there.

Thanks for the pics.
 
Nice pics:thumbup: I don't do crowds, but would like to visit Yosemite. Even the pics I see are beyond gorgeous. It must be breathtaking in person.
I love heights, and have a little fantasy about climbing El Capitan. Some of the routes are as easy as 5.8, but WAY beyond my endurance level, I'm sure. The North American Wall routes I studied were ~3600ft. while I completely burn out after half a dozen or so 60-80ft 5.9s. What an incredible experience for the people able to do it, though!


You might look into custom orthotics, J. Your insurance may pay for them if you get a referral from your doctor.
Custom orthotics, footwear with proper volume and shape for your feet, and merino wool socks. Discomfort, much less blisters, will be a thing of the past.
 
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Yeah hot spots stink. I've used duct tape to good effect but never in and around the toes.
 
Sweet pics!

Been to Yosemite a few times, but never made it to Tuolumne Meadows. It looks so nice. I heard there was some good camping around there too.
 
What is a pucker-cord? Or is it best that I don't know?

I would have tried the chicken, or tried Linda....One or the other...Screw him and his smokes.
 
Yea...first one you don't want to know. Although the chicken did look more appetizing than than Linda by a long shot, neither held much appeal.
 
Great pics Jason! Too bad on the blisters though. Get some Orthodox like Owen recommended and you'll be good to go.

I always wanted to visit that park.
 
That's some breath taking scenery my friend. Thanks for sharing.
 
Fantastic photos.

Not sure if you've tried this yet, and it may sound kind of crazy, but consider trying thinner socks. Many people try to solve their blister/hot spot problems by going with a heavier or more padded sock. The problem with thick socks are twofold, one they compress more (especially as the day progresses) allowing your foot to shift and rub, and two, they hold a lot more moisture right up against your skin.

I've been using only a thin liner sock in my hiking and backpacking boots (even my ski boots) for years and have basically eliminated blister problems.

Thin socks mean you foot has no room to shift or wiggle around, and foot sweat gets passed right through the sock and is absorbed into the shoe liner. When first breaking in a new pair of shoes you will need to take it easy because your feet are basically educating the shoes on where they need to give and conform to your foot. But then once that is accomplished the fit is solid and very stable.
 
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