In August of 2026 we spent nine days and eight nights backpacking from Sonora Pass to Tuolumne Meadows on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), including a side trip along the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park, California. John was 73 and I was 72. Our son, Dan, went with us.
This trip was the longest one we have done for a while without a food resupply, so our packs were heavier than usual. We started at Sonora Pass in mid-morning. Our preference when backpacking with Dan is we get up early and get going and Dan has a leisurely morning and catches up with us later. However, none of us get what we want on the first day of a trip when we have to drive to a trailhead. Dan quickly left us behind and we hiked more slowly trying to adapt to our heavy packs. The terrain seemed austere compared to what we picture when we think of the Sierra.
But it was not devoid of color.
And as the day progressed, we got views of several alpine lakes.
The day was cool and cloudy, becoming windy with some rain.
We descended to a valley. The next day we encountered a creek with some lovely, sculpted rock.
We passed lakes under blue skies. We adapted to our heavy packs. Initially, we took food weight from John’s pack as his had been disproportionally heavier than mine starting out. I knew it would be a few days before I offloaded some weight. However, when we backpack together it is like handicapping a horse race. We are always willing to take weight from each other as needed. The goal is to finish the day together and equally tired.
While mountains are our first love, we thoroughly enjoy seeing mountain lakes.
We appreciate it when neither overshadows the other and they share the limelight.
We also enjoy trees but especially the ones that have been shaped by the rigors of life: fire, wind and snow. We can identify with the Sequoias and Junipers in the Sierra that still enjoy their long lives despite what they have endured.
This area reminded us of one of our favorite places, the Enchantments within Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington.
One big advantage of our need to start early in the morning is it provides us with opportunities to see the sunrise.
PCT thru-hikers typically hike from south to north. However, we were heading south on the PCT.
The advantage we had on this section was the further south and the closer to Yosemite we got, the better the views. Of course, we are partial to mountains.
But we also enjoy the other sights in the backcountry, gorgeous cascading streams …
… and beautiful mountain meadows.
The backcountry is truly our Happy Place!
Once we arrived at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, we took a side trip off the PCT. We camped near the Tuolumne River for two nights. We spent our layover day exploring down the canyon along the Tuolumne River.
Something I need to keep in mind is what a big part water has had in shaping the mountains I love.
The river flowing over the rock creates countless cascades.
The sight is mesmerizing and the sound is calming. It felt like it could go on forever.
John and Dan both took countless photos, too many to share here.
After spending the day exploring the cascades down the Tuolumne River, we returned to our camp. The following day we hiked back up to Tuolumne Meadows and to where we had parked our car.
While this started out as a long trip with heavy packs we all felt it was well worth the effort.
This trip was another triumph for me. It was only the second backpack trip I had done since having open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. It was nearly twice as far as the first and my pack was heavier than I had carried for years. It was great to be back to doing what I love, backpacking with my husband and son.
All photos from this trip are on Flickr
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