Day 3 on the JMT.
Morning at Cathedral Lake—over 9,000 feet—came with a harsh chill.
Shifting weather, the bustle of Yosemite, and my first stop at a store for resupply. With each small event, the JMT was slowly moving closer to the point where the journey starts to feel real.
Last night, hail suddenly started falling in the middle of the night.
The sound of it pounding on my tent woke me up. Since Cathedral Lake sits above 9,000 feet, the cold at night cuts sharp.
Even in the morning, the chill lingered. I didn’t crawl out of my tent until around 7:30 a.m.
I took my time getting ready and finally hit the trail at 9:00.
As I got closer to Tuolumne Meadows, the number of hikers I passed increased even more.
This section of the JMT is incredibly popular with day hikers, tourists, and backpackers alike.
It took about four miles to reach Tuolumne Meadows.
I stopped at the store along Tioga Road (Highway 120) and picked up a fuel canister for my stove.
The store owner said to me:
“If you can get through the first two days of the JMT, you’ll be fine after that.”
Was that really true?
I’d backpacked for up to six days before, but anything beyond that was unknown territory for me.
When I thought about it—what changes after day seven?—I felt excitement more than fear.
Next door at the deli, I ordered a sandwich,
and I also downed a Monster energy drink and a chocolate bar.
Normally, that’s a combination I’d avoid. But out on the trail, your energy burns up fast.
After I ate, I could feel strength returning to my whole body.
The Tuolumne Meadows area is truly beautiful—
tall grass meadows, clear flowing water, and a wide open sky.
It felt like a landscape that could only be Yosemite.
After Tuolumne, the trail flattened out and became easy to walk. The stretch along the river through Lyell Canyon was especially beautiful.
Before reaching Vogelsang Trail Junction, I found an ideal campsite by the river, so I decided to stay there for the night.
Because there was a fire ring, I was able to have a campfire for the first time in a while.
Between getting a real meal at the store today and the fact that the trail was relatively flat, I was able to finish the day without feeling completely worn out.
A night welcomed by the sound of a gentle river.
Tomorrow I’ll start gaining elevation again, and little by little I’ll be heading deeper into the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
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