Hiking to Glen Aulin in Yosemite July 2016

A Delicious Taste of the Pacific Crest Trail

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Hiking Guide to the Glen Aulin Trail in Yosemite National Park

Glen Aulin Elevation:  7,900 feet (2,400 meters)

“Why hike to Glen Aulin?  To see the picturesque effects produced by a manic-depressive river. For three miles, the Tuolumne River curves lazily through meadows like a time-lapse video of a cat on a sunny windowsill. Then it perks up and dashes over a series of cascades and waterfalls, terminating at Glen Aulin. Below Glen Aulin, it becomes even more sedate than it was at the top of the trail. Then it rouses again for a raucous trio of waterfalls and the descent into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.”

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“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir, 1877

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White Cascade waterfall and swimming hole at the foot of Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp.

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A little Tuolumne Meadows tranquility to keep you calm.

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More scenes along the Pacific Crest Trail from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin ~ 26 July 2016

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Along the Pacific Crest Trail between Tuolumne Meadows and Glen Aulin ~ 26 July 2016

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Nature’s majesty.

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Topographic/terrain map of the Glen Aulin Trail in Yosemite National Park

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Day one I found myself a great campsite in Tuolumne Meadows and then set out to acclimate with a hike to Dog Lake and then on to the top of Lembert Dome. Such beauty, peace and a bit of huffing and puffing in that thin Sierra air.

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Hiking to Glen Aulin is a constant unfoldment of beauty; each scene more stunning than the last.

April mused whilst gleefully trekking down the PCT

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Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp on the Pacific Crest Trail in Yosemite National Park. 27 July 2016

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Magic in the Night Sky

The moon had not yet risen and the stars were so abundant. While sharing sips of rum and sitting in front of the most perfect campfire ever built by anonymous fairies, magically, all within the course of about five minutes, up so high in the Sierra, my new friend Claudio and I saw The International Space Station glide past. Super cool. Moments later a Shooting Star burst through the sky and then, as we were still awestruck and joyful from the two previous events, we witnessed a Supernova! A STAR exploded right before our eyes! Well, minus it originally exploded millions of years ago, that is. (And also minus the part where it was more likely a meteor bursting through the atmosphere… But stories and experiences are so much better a little embellished.) We were both looking up and witnessed that star’s final shimmer together. Such a very cool moment to share with another. Pure Magick! 

Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp | 26 July 2016 | Yosemite National Park

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Crossing the Tuolumne River into Glen Aulin

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Dropping into Glen Aulin....

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