A truely incredible and enjoyable day with my son.
Left the house at 6 pm and headed north from Wildomar expecting to hit heavy holiday traffic - found none until the 210 merged onto the 5 and it quickly cleared. Smooth sailing the rest of the way. Toll booth was closed on the way in - kept the $20 in my wallet.
Went to the trailhead parking lot to try and get a couple hours sleep, but Super Ranger and his million candlepower flashlight were making the rounds. Retreated to the main road and found a spot under a tree to catch some zzzz's. Awoke at 0330 and drove back to the parking lot. We took our time getting ready and left around 0415. No one else was leaving that early.
At the split we headed up the JMT side. Even though I had good info that the snow wasn't an issue, I had taken the boy up the Mist Trail last time and he wanted to try the JMT side. We didn't pack jackets and after 5 minutes we stashed our long sleeve hiking shirts and pant legs into our packs. I had my wind gear and a wool cap/gloves for the boy deep in my pack if he would have needed it. Must be the parent in me.
Saw no one until we reached the top of Nevada Falls. The boy was hiking strong and leaving me behind at will. After the trails rejoined we had a lot more company. I noticed that the folks starting by 0600 really look prepared while most people I see coming up the trail later look as they are doing it on a whim.
Took a nice break at the next trail junction and watched the herd head towards Half Dome. We were sitting 20 yards up trail on the Cloud"s Rest split so we had to turn a few back towards Half Dome. They must have been too tired to read the signs. A mile after the junction the trail gets steeper and the tree cover fades away. The boy dug in and plowed uphill. We learned our lesson last year concerning water so we tanked up often. I carried six 17 ounce bottles and he had four. We refilled 8 of them during the day.
The last 1/2 mile was a pain, just like I remembered. I was sucking wind but the boy was in good shape. He took the lead all the way to the top. He was pretty excited (as he should be) but I had to remind him he was only half way. After lunch, pics, fresh socks we headed down. Except for 3 backpackers on the top and 3 we crossed paths with after the junction, we had the trail to ourselves - just like always. This wasn't the case coming down. After hiking downhill for an hour we ran into a group of day hikers. Something I usually never see heading towards Cloud's Rest. They asked plenty of questions and I answered them all. (I needed a break anyway) They didn't inquire about water so I clued them into two spots the could tank up. They informed me they had no filter and they still had about 20 ounces of water each. I asked if they had flashlights and they did not. They thought they would be able to beat the darkness and looked at me like I was stupid when told them they had a good way to go and a 5 hour downhill stretch too. After leaving them we continued to see backpackers and a few more dayhikers headed up. I counted over 30 people on a section of trail I'm used to seeing less than 3.
Back at Nevada Falls the drama continued - one ranger filling water bottles for the unprepared while another kept explaining to people over and over that there is no water fountain up there. While waiting about 20 minutes to use the bathroom the boy decided he wanted to go down the Mist Trail. We had been overhearing people say how brutal it was and that they were going to take the JMT down. Two minutes down the Mist Trail a couple stopped us and asked us if the water at the top was drinkable. "If you filter it" I replied. When they said they had no filter I suggested they see the rangers. There were so many children on the Mist Trail you could start your own school. 5 and 6 year olds trying to make their own way down while dad helped mom or held the baby.
We had a blast crusiing the Mist Trail and blowing through puddles that others tried to dance around. Like I told the boy - we have Gortex boots on and clean flips flops in the car - who cares if our feet get wet the last mile?
Made our way back to the car and quickly discovered the flaw in the plan - we were trapped like rats in a cage because of heavy holiday traffic. When we finally broke free of the Valley I was pulled over for speeding. The delay caused by the lecture and warning (no ticket) made me to miss the collection agents again on the way out. They don't even have a slot if you want to be honest so the 20 bucks went to McDonalds.
After a quick 6 hour drive we were home. Of course the boy slept through the chat with Rader Ranger and the gas stop, but was wide awake at McDonalds in Oakhurst.
Pics/video are here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30467211@N04/sets/72157618728024178/
No comments required for all the goofy antler sign shots - I'm going through advanced Boy Scout leader training and it's all part of the game. And no, I did not wear that cotton t shirt up there - it was just for the photo op.
The boy has now finished all of his requirements for the Hiking Merit badge. He is the 1st one in our Troop's history! (well we are only a year old)
