Part Six: Hiking My Feelings in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne - Yosemite National Park
PART SIX // Bears are not unicorns.
We made it to Waterwheel Falls after one of the hardest hikes of my life, so it's no surprise that this would be one of the most rewarding nights of the trip.
First, we needed to find a campsite. I continued down the trail, KBong crossed the water to scope out the other side of the falls. I found a nice campsite nestled up against a huge slab of granite, but it required yet another trek to access the water. KBong found an established campsite on the other side of the falls, tucked behind some trees.
It was perfection. We crossed the river and started to set up camp.
Next, we needed to cool off. We grabbed our water filters, bottles, and bladders so we could get to work filtering water for our dinner. On the menu for me? Thai Lemongrass Curry from Outdoor Herbivore. I made my dinner, mixed my coconut CBD water, and waddled over to the falls.
As I carefully navigated the slippery-smooth rock, carved by the Tuolumne River spilling over for thousands of years, I imagined what this must be like earlier in the season. When it's really flowing, it sends water shooting up into the sky before it falls 300+ feet. Where I ate dinner, nestled in a deep groove, would likely be covered by feet of fast-moving water any other time of year. How lucky that we are here while the water is low enough to safely cross.
I ate dinner while burning these views into my brain, then made my way back to camp. I grabbed my phone, walked back to the water, and took a minute to myself.
As I finished my mini-meditation, I heard KBong shout-whispering at me from camp.
"SYDNEY. BEARS."
I turned around and there they were, a mama bear and her cub, having already passed through camp, now making their way over the fallen tree and toward the water. The way they move and their curiosity around this tree was the most majestic thing I've seen in nature. I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
"THEY'RE REAL!" I shout-whispered back.
After they scampered off, I didn't know if I was scared to sleep here or at more ease being one with nature, but I knew two things: my body brought me 23 miles to get here, and bears aren't unicorns.
Part 7 tomorrow. Hint: 🐻