The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls

Does camping get any better than this? Not at this altitude!

Toulumne River Camp

The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls, June 2004

We were at 4350 feet in elevation, about the same as Yosemite Valley. At that altitude it was nice to be in an oasis at a normally dry altitude. We had the river to thank for the pleasant shady forest as well as the water music to soothe the weary traveler and to provide a bit more coolness for the warm climate.

The camp was a marvel: a good distance from the trail and water (so it did not make the Rangers nervous), a small fire-ring with lots of flat rocks for the kitchen (but we had no need for a fire at that time of year), a deep carpet of pine needles, excellent flat areas to sleep with a handy log for personal pack items, the river nearby for water and bathing, and a pocket forest of old growth trees nearby to explore and to dig small holes in when needed. Certainly, it was one of the best canyon camps I have ever been in, particularly at that altitude.

This is the sight that greeted us right where the trail finally dumped us out at the bottom of the canyon. Looking down river from near the trail. I'll have trout and a beer!

It did not take long to set up camp, clean up, get into our evening clothes and kick back in our chairs to read or admire the scenery. At that time of year it was not dark till well after 9 PM, and even though the sun set early behind the canyon walls, we still had a long evening ahead of us. Truly, it was the best time of the year to be in the Sierra.

After dinner, we continued to loaf or explore the area and admiring the views up and down the river. Our thighs were beat from all the downhill, along with my toes. When it was finally lights-out, I didn't have much trouble sleeping, not after that kind of a day.

Looking up-river from near camp.

As I sit here writing this, I find it interesting that this year I passed within less than three miles and 4300 feet above that camp on the highest trail point of Rancheria Mountain (directly north of camp). The summit of Rancheria Mountain was directly above our camp.