When visiting National Parks, I have found that spending some time in the backcountry is the way to go for many reasons. Having heard all kinds of things about Yosemite’s crowds and campgrounds you need to reserve a year or more ahead, I planned our time in the park around backpacking. Even though I made the backcountry reservation several months ahead, things were already pretty filled up for a weekend in July, but we got our second choice, Ostrander Lake.
The hike was about 6 miles with the elevation gain mostly in the last half, so we got our bear canisters from the ranger station and hit the trail after lunch. The first three miles were easy, with a very flat trail winding through wildflower meadows, and went by before we knew it. The last three, not quite so much. My 14-year-olds were troopers and with some water and Powerade breaks, made the whole thing look like cake. I, on the other hand, had my first experience with altitude sickness. After backpacking my entire life, 8600 feet got the best of me, but I still made it and that 6 miles felt like way more of an accomplishment than it would have otherwise!
One of the things I am most proud of as a parent is raising a couple of hardy backpackers. There was a definite stage of complaining on every hike we did between age 8 and 13, but we’ve made it over that mountain so to speak, and these two really know how to enjoy themselves in the backcountry. I think it will serve them well in their adult lives.
The elevation gain offered some spectacular views along the way of Half
Dome and the peaks of Yosemite. Words can’t even touch how impressive it
was, and it *almost* helped me forget about my struggles with the
elevation!
Dome and the peaks of Yosemite. Words can’t even touch how impressive it
was, and it *almost* helped me forget about my struggles with the
elevation!
Not only were the views along the trail amazing, the view at the end of the trail was equally amazing. When arrived at Ostrander lake just before sunset, and managed to find a great campsite at the far edge of the backpacker camping area. We were surprised to learn that campfires were allowed in designated fire pits, so we cooked up our backpacking burritos and enjoyed the fire before turning in for the night.
We pretty much spent the next day swimming, exploring and just hanging out.
There were all these great boulders just perfect for sitting on and enjoying life. Sometimes that’s just what you need.
My adventurous mountain man decided to climb up to the ridge above the lake to see the views and my daughter was up for the scramble. My son and I were loving the lake too much and just stayed there hanging out for a while.
It was a really good feeling to just put my feet up and relax.
From our backcountry campsite at Ostrander Lake, we really got to experience Yosemite in a little more depth than we would have from the car and a paved campsite. We enjoyed some peace and quiet, amazing sunsets, scenic views and appreciated it just a little bit more because we had to work hard to get there. Our backcountry reservation allowed us to stay the night before and the night after in backpacker camping areas around the park, so we were able to take in the rest of the sights we wanted to see like Glacier Point and the Yosemite Valley when we hiked out, and stay the night in Tuolumne meadows without the hassle of a campground reservation farther ahead than I could really plan for. It couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.
Here’s a little more info about the Ostrander Lake hike:
Leave a Reply