I was 3 miles ahead of schedule thanks to the previous day’s early start. This should make today’s hike much easier. Three years ago the hike to Harden Lake was horrific. Now? I was extremely happy to see that the trail was cleared! It was not perfect and there was still a lot of brush and blowdown, and the last half mile up to the ridge was not cleared at all, but overall it was 1000 times better. I was surprised. I thought the park service had left this trail to rot. I am glad because this is the only early season access to the Tuolumne River. I would certainly hike this trail again, especially if they can finish up the work.
I had lunch at Harden Lake. I saw a hawk chasing a raven. Then they seemed to make up and hang out together in a tree. What is interesting about it is that on the hike back 4 days later I was about 8 miles from Harden Lake and I saw a hawk and a raven together. When they saw me coming they took off together for different trees. The hawk landed on a bad branch which snapped off into a dozen pieces making a loud sound. I am certain it was the same two birds as before. So strange. 8 miles isn’t so far to go for these birds, right?
I made it all the way to the Morrison Creek camp three miles past Harden Lake. This is a very nice campsite beside the creek. How was Morrison Creek flowing? It was deep and fast. I put a couple twigs in the ground at the edge of the water to measure the level. It was up in the evening and still up in the morning. What does that mean? Probably nothing good. I would have to cross this creek in the morning and then again on Friday. The temperature was heating up and so was the snow melt.
I went up to photograph Upper Morrison Creek Falls. This is a difficult waterfall photograph and it not very photogenic. I climbed up on the hillside for a better viewpoint. I’m still not sure I like it very much. Day 2 of Yosemite backpacking trip complete.
