31 | July | 2011 | Life of Wry

Still Waters

July 31, 2011

Over the years, I’ve taken a lot of pictures of the Lyell Fork. This picture may be my favorite.. the colors, its fullness.

I’ve added a few more below, taken in different years and at different water levels.

The Lyell Fork winds through the majestic Lyell canyon before it joins the Dana Fork and becomes the mighty Tuolumne River, which then runs through Tuolumne Meadows, past Glen Aulin High Sierra camp, and into the “Grand Canyon of Yosemite.” It is a short walk–about a half, to three quarters of a mile–behind the Tuolumne Meadows tent cabins. I don’t think a year has gone by when we didn’t spend at least one day in this canyon, along the river. It’s been the go-to place when the kids felt like having a non-hike day. Hours and hours have been spent up river a bit, building damns (and unbuilding them), throwing rocks, running mini-rapids..and for the adults: talking, reading, napping.

There are a few hikes we do out of here.. the Rafferty Creek Trail is a great one and is the one to take if you’re going to Vogelsang and beyond. We’ve also gone up that trail numerous times in our effort to climb Johnson Peak (we finally found the real peak a few years ago, after two failed, but fun, attempts).

Twice in the last two years, we’ve hiked up canyon–a mellow river-grade stroll–attempting to get to the end, only to be turned back by weather. About an hour after this was shot, for example, we got caught in a thunderous storm–lightning, hail, rain–and ended up returning to the cabins.

The John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails run along the south and western forest line of the Lyell Canyon. They describe it as a box canyon, and the trail eventually rises and crosses Donahue Pass, continuing on toward Mammoth. One of these years, we’ll get to the end…

But this year there was more water in the meadow than I can remember, making the river run wider and deeper than ever. Its color was also a deeper and richer blue. So swollen and powerful, yet peaceful.

Here are a few more from various years and a lot less water (note sand bars):