An unforgettable journey with a first time backpacker, friendly marmots, and the epic rainbow-ridden Chilnualna Waterfall. Located on the southeastern tip of Yosemite, Wawona is one of the easier 1 night camping trips that is still an uphill battle with unbeatable views of endless pine trees and rounded hills of solid granite rock. A perfect trail with best friends.
Doug and Katie were naturally the first couple we took out to the wilderness. When we moved to California 5 years ago, they helped fill our late summer nights with good wine, intimate stories, and what we are convinced were the most philosophical conversations about books, love, and relationships. After hearing our hiking stories, of isolated nights on top of granite mountains, and unreal sunrises over the Sierras, they were sold. The seeds were planted… the fire was stoked… they wanted to experience the back country of Yosemite.
Our packs all felt exceptionally heavy considering we were only camping for one night. The first 5 minutes of ascent were all smiles and laughs. After that, every gram of our packs were making themselves felt: that extra Mountain House meal for an “emergency”, that extra pair of underwear and socks for luxury hygiene, and that extra book that you knew you probably wouldn’t even read. Nevertheless, many stops for snacks, cute kissy pics, and occasional smoke sessions got us happily through the cloudy day.
That first night by the campfire lingers in my memory since we were all so proud of ourselves for making it up as quasi beginners and rusty amateurs…except for Ian, an expert who can hike 20 miles a day and who volunteers to carry our heavy items that we complain about so that we will shut up.
At this point I was still resistant to these backpacking trips in many ways. Not only were the ascents grueling, but I couldn’t overcome that city-dweller’s desire to be back at the coffee shop downtown or to be enjoying a good meal at a trendy restaurant with some craft beer. By the end of these trips, however, the reluctance is squashed, and we all embrace the deliciousness of the freeze-dried meals and the unforgettable stories told around the campfire.
After we hiked about 4 miles up to the top of the falls, we scoured the granite tops for the perfect camping ground with an expansive view. This is always the most important part of the trip for Ian, who takes a lot of time, usually hiking further and further past our AGREED UPON STOPPING POINT to get that unique vista.
On our first couple trips, I was content with plopping our bags down anywhere… I On our first couple trips, I was content with plopping our bags down anywhere… I didn’t care if it was the den of a flesh eating rattlesnake or a flash flood danger zone. I had no ability to recover from those intense ascents and always gave a contrasting look of disgust and disdain to Ian’s happy camper look when we reached the top. “Just a little ways more!” (Yea, South Africans say “ways” in that phrase.)
Never trust this guy. Or do… and prepare for a soul awakening. Although your knees and toes will rebuke and hate Ian after these hikes, your heart will thank and love him.
Sweet sounds of gushing water let us know we were only a couple hundred feet away from the top of the roaring waterfall. We set up our camp at this beautiful spot (thanks to Ian!) and ran toward the granite shelves that lined the sides of the flowing waterfall. Shirts and shorts were flying off in every direction… the warm heat of the day making the cold mist and droplets of splashing water a relief after a not so hard (but we convinced ourselves it was so hard!) hike up.
Ian and Doug bravely traversed the speedy river and made it to the other side, enjoying the freezing cold water while Katie and I sunbathed on he safe side and watched two lizards maul each other like gladiators in a fight to the death! Good times, good times!
Trails with Friends 