A Ladies’ Weekend in the Wild
The Mammoth sun beat down on our little band of adventurers – four women fueled by a deep-seated wanderlust and a thirst for something beyond the usual tourist trail. Our destination: Bloody Canyon, a whisper of a path promising solitude and Sierra splendor. Forget the crowded vistas of Yosemite Valley; this adventure delved into the park’s lesser-known heart, a place steeped in history and teeming with untouched beauty, beckoning us to explore its secrets.
The Bloody Canyon trailhead received us with a cool indifference. Unlike the crowds jostling for selfies at Yosemite Falls, here, a daily quota of five souls kept the path refreshingly uncrowded. But the quiet held a certain allure.
We set off, the late summer heat clinging to our backs as we ascended alongside Walker Creek. The first part of the hike is wooded with Aspens and pine and the creek provides a great sound as we tromp along the rocky trail. The canyon walls, a dramatic tapestry of red rock, provided a stark contrast to the vibrant tapestry of wildflowers clinging to the slopes. This route, once a vital artery for Native Americans, sheepherders, and even John Muir himself, whispered tales of grit and resilience. It was aptly named – the injuries sustained by livestock traversing this rugged terrain were a harsh testament to its unforgiving nature, yet the beauty of the landscape was a constant source of awe and appreciation. The early stages of the trail traverse near Walker Lake ( a Private Lake) before crossing Walker Creek and heading up the canyon to our first night’s destination, about 3 miles up the canyon into the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Our first day’s goal? Lower Sardine Lake is a jewel set in the steep canyon’s embrace. The climb was a steady symphony of huffs and puffs, punctuated by gasps of awe at the unfolding panorama. The trail is a steady, moderate climb until about the 2-mile mark following a trail path created for livestock; then, the trail gets fairly steep after leaving the trees up the canyon to the lake. Finally, the lake materialized before us, a tranquil haven reflecting the azure sky. This was our sanctuary for the night – a place to unwind with a good book, share stories under a canopy of stars, and simply reconnect with the raw beauty of the wilderness. We found a flat spot on the north side of the lake and set up camp. The panoramic view back towards Mono Lake was spectacular, and the evening blanket of stars appeared in the sky as we gazed across the lake at the rugged, stark peaks of Mount Lewis. Alas, none of us made it too much later, still a bit tired from the short trek up the canyon.
Dawn painted the canyon walls with a golden glow, igniting a renewed sense of adventure. Today, we ventured deeper, crossing Mono Pass and stepping into the hallowed grounds of Yosemite National Park. The landscape transformed, revealing a tapestry of alpine lakes tucked below towering Kuna Crest.. After reaching Mono Pass, the group decided to make a loop that first included a trip up to Parker Pass, the highest elevation of our weekend adventure at 11,100 feet. After a little exploring around the tarn lakes just over the pass, we took a cross-country route down and around to Helen Lake for a refreshing afternoon swim. Spillway Lake, just below Helen Lake, offered an easy traverse back to a trail that would take us back toward Tuolumne Meadows. Eventually, the trail cut back to Mono Pass, and we enjoyed an afternoon of meadows, deer, and trickling streams – each a unique gem, a testament to the park’s diverse offerings.
Our days were filled with the rhythm of exploration – the crunch of boots on granite, the cool sting of glacier-fed streams, the hushed awe in the presence of nature’s grandeur. Evenings were a celebration of shared stories, laughter echoing through the crisp mountain air, and the comforting ritual of setting up camp beneath a canopy of a million twinkling stars, fostering a deep sense of camaraderie and shared experience.
Finally, with hearts brimming with memories and weary muscles a testament to our journey, we descended Bloody Canyon. This historic path, once witness to the pioneering spirit of early travelers, now holds a special place in our own hearts. We left a part of ourselves amongst the wildflowers and towering peaks, forever bound to the secrets of Bloody Canyon.
