August 10, 2019, I awoke under the stars in Little Yosemite Valley. I ascended the summit of Half Dome at sunrise, and continued my way on the John Meir Trail to Clouds Rest.
I began the hike out of Little Yosemite Valley, it was nearly 9:00 am when I had returned from the summit of Half Dome. I made a quick backpacking meal for breakfast and assembled my pack to depart.
The journey to the summit of Clouds Rest was difficult with a full pack, the journey is long and a constant incline. I had lots to think about during my hike solo. I was exhausted, after already hiking Half Dome, slightly jet lagged from returning from Peru 4 days ago, but with no weight on my spirit. The views walking towards tree line were magnificent, the sun was shining bright all day and illuminated the valleys on either side of the ridge.
I remember stopping before the last stretch to Clouds Rest at an assortment of oddly shaped rocks. Their positions almost seemed lifelike as if they get up a move around when no one is watching. I decided to take lunch with the company of the interesting rock formations.
During the final effort to the summit, I came up on another hiker with a much larger pack. His name was Leo, and he was walking the entire 222 miles on the JMT. We talked a bit along the trail and quickly became friends.
Leo was from Belgium, we were both about the same age, and had packed about two weeks of dehydrated chilly he had made himself. When we finally reached Clouds Rest, I asked if he wanted to try some of my food, Leo seemed to appreciate the offer so we shared our meals together and made camp. Once finished with dinner, we threw on some extra layers, grabbed our headlamps, and made way for the summit.
The summit was incredible, you have 360 degree view of Yosemite at this peak, and to top it off the sun had just began to set. Clouds began to condense in the valley and the shadows crept up the huge granite walls. The colors started to display across the sky while the valley slowly disappeared from view. As the sun displayed its last glow from view, the clouds that formed in the valley had risen to the top of the huge slab of granite of Clouds Rest. The sudden rushing wall of cloud glowed red as the pressure from the cooling valley pushed all the vapor against the granite mountain and up over the peak.
Amazed, both Leo and I decided to sleep at the peak and have the same experience of dawn. We made our way back to our things where we made dinner, and grabbed our sleeping attire. The temperature dropped drastically which made us concerned sleeping under the stars in such an exposed location. Josh grabbed his rain fly and we agreed to share the rainfly like a blanket over our sleeping bags. The sleep was rough to be honest, despite the rainfly it was windy and fidget enough to wake up shivering periodically. The stars were so beautiful and vibrant I didn't want to close my eyes and miss a moment of the Milky Way directly overhead.
Just before dawn, I committed to staying awake and welcomed the first light of day. The colors spread from east to west in a matter of moments and we were dazzled once again. The sunrise was soft and inspiring. Yosemite valley became visual and the sky lit up with cool blues and warm magentas.
Afterwords, Leo and I collaborated a light breakfast, said our fairwells, and I enthusiastically continued the JMT on my own.
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