of ten lakes

If you’re looking for wildflowers – or mosquitos – in Yosemite, then the Ten Lakes trail is THE place to go. As something of an amateur botanist and a secret lover of flat trails, this was a long overdue hike for me.

ten lakes pass

green gentian

rock island on grant lake

flowered meadow

ten lakes basin

bluebells

one of ten lakes

The first several miles are a relatively uneventful forested warm-up for the drop down to Grant Lake (a one-mile spur trail off the main route). Grant Lake is especially notable for its outlet which happens to be the main source of Yosemite Creek that, of course, feeds Yosemite Falls. The hanging gardens dropping down to the first lake were incredible, including giant larkspur, corn lilies, lupines galore, and green gentian. That last one was a special treat for me as it’s quite possibly my favorite flower in Yosemite. It just looks completely alien and intricately monochromatic.

From the Grant Lake junction, it’s a super short trek up to the Ten Lakes Pass which affords a breathtaking view of the high country and a few of the lakes below. I started my hike early to avoid crowds and thunderstorms, however clouds were already building when I topped out on the pass mid-morning. I still opted to make the steep trek down to at least get a close up of a couple of the lakes before booking it out ahead of the rain. The lakes were all similar, classic alpine lakes. Beautiful, reflective, buggy.

Since the sky was turning ominous and I had allowed myself to forget my rain jacket, I was in a bit of a rush to get out of exposed zones and back to the trees (and my car). One could easily spend days in that lake basin, hopping around from one amazing swimming spot to another. I was equally happy to get in a little trail run over those last few miles and not get soaked, either from swimming or rain. A 14(ish)-mile day hike was a great way to round out June in Yosemite.

of hiking in june

I met Unwoman at the Clockwork Alchemy Convention last month. Her steampunk electric cello music has been providing the soundtrack to my life since then. Intertwined is my current favorite.

Looking back over the past few weeks, I’m startled to realize the calendar firmly avers that June is drawing to a close. We’ve plunged into the warmest part of summertime (or so I tell myself). My shoulder season whirlwind is finally slowing to a more manageable workload. And I finally have a moment of unobligated freedom to reminiscence over all that’s happened in June.

Work aside, there’s been some good hiking and swimming and general adventuring. Not nearly enough, but still many memorable moments. And more on the horizon. Changes loom and I’m filled with a desire to fill every waking moment with everything I haven’t gotten around to yet.

I’m still finding my way to secret places. Those spots that you’ve maybe heard of but needed a knowledgeable counterpart to guide the way to. Like Hidden Falls, where I hiked recently with my friend Jim. I still need to cross Sierra Point off my list. And I want to get back to Devil’s Bathtub and the Indian Caves and the one Basque arborglyph I know where to find. And no, I cannot divulge the locations of any of these. But, if you’re lucky enough to find your way out to any of them, they’re all worth the trek.

I’ve been fortunate enough to incorporate some play in with work in the high country too, like jaunting up to my favorite sunset spot at the end of long days of working on-location. It’s a not-so-secret mostly-locals-only filled-with-memories-of-summers-past spot that melts my heart and reminds me of the overwhelming goodness of life.

I’m also getting in designated trail miles as well. After 4+ years of living and hiking in Yosemite, I find I have to go further and further out to get to new places. I had a wonderful visitor from DC this past weekend and we did something of a lakes hiking tour. Paul took me out to one of his favorite Yosemite wilderness spots, Raisin Lake, which I now highly recommend – not just for the heartwarming rock-sunning solitude, but also for the cold swimming and beautiful views.

We also did a long(ish) trek in the Ansel Adams Wilderness with a mutual friend out to Agnew Pass and Gem Lake. It was windy and stunning. And also a little incongruous to see dams, structures, and rail tracks, and be reminded that the USFS and NPS have such different takes on land management.

I feel like I can confidently, slightly regretfully, strangely excitedly, definitely bittersweetly, say that this is my last summer in Yosemite. And cheers to making the most of it!