There was some evidence of the Rim Fire along the switchbacks climbing up the side of Hetch Hetchy Valley, but it seems that most of the trees that provide much-needed shade along this stretch had survived.
Still, there were many places where wildflowers were taking advantage of the recent fires.
Despite the dry winter, many of the smaller meadows were also exhibiting flowers.
On the other hand, the "Frog Pond" was bone dry.
Near Beehive itself we were reminded that mosquito season is upon us as we filled our water bottles from its spring.
After cresting at the Moraine Mountain/Jack Main Canyon trail junction, we descended to Lake Vernon, soon reaching the large, flat expanses of granite below the lake. The usual early-season creek that crosses this area was reduced to a few puddles.
Not far from there, the trail crested and we got our first glimpse of Lake Vernon itself. Branigan Lake's outlet stream was as low as we'd seen it.
When the water is sufficiently high, there can be a significant wade to get to the bridge:
This time, Falls Creek was well below the bridge, and after crossing it we found a nice campsite on flat, smooth polished granite, where we rested and enjoyed the evening. There were a few other groups at the lake, but everyone had their privacy. The afternoon breeze kept the mosquitos from bothering us.
The next morning (which also is our anniversary!) was perfect--few bugs and no wind at all. After breakfast and packing, we were on the trail towards Tiltill Valley, Rancheria Falls, and the trailhead.
The climb away from Vernon was beautiful in the morning, with improving views of the lake as the well-engineered trail climbs an open granite dome dotted with Sierra junipers and other trees.
Almost every other time we have done this loop we encountered significant snow above these switchbacks, but this year we saw only a few tiny patches of snow along the trail. The large meadow at about 7500' near the trail was lush and vibrant.
(From a previous trip, for comparison:
)We stopped for lunch just above the final descent into Tiltill Valley, which also was still bright green.
Bugs were a nuisance along the trail as it skirted the edges of Tiltill's meadows, but once it crossed the meadow itself, a breeze kept most of the bugs at bay.
The first time we did the Vernon-Tiltill loop, we had planned it as a three day trip, but we arrived at Tiltill around noon, and despite there being some nice campsites near where the trail crosses the creek, we decided then to push onto Rancheria Falls. Since Rancheria wasn't too much farther, once there we decided to finish the loop as an overnighter. Ever since then we've always done this trip that way, with a roughly 30-mile total distance.
We were able to avoid getting our feet wet where the trail crosses the meadow.
(Contrast to a previous trip:
)After the short climb out of Tiltill, we began the long descent to Rancheria Falls. Fire had burnt through this section years ago, so there wasn't much shade. Fortunately, the wildflowers were on full display.
Once at the bottom of these more open, dry, and hot switchbacks, we refreshed ourselves with the cool waters of Rancheria Creek and had a snack before resuming our trek to the trailhead.
More flowers greeted us as we contoured high above the reservoir.
Just before the Falls Creek/Wapama Falls bridges, we saw the aftermath of the recent rockfall that had closed the trail.
The trail crews are to be commended for the excellent repair and rerouting work.
Wapama Falls itself had decent flows, although barely enough to cool us as we crossed the bridges.
Tueeulala Fall--fed mostly by Falls Creek when it's high enough to overflow its channel--was barely a trickle.
We had encountered only a handful of people on the second day--all dayhikers encountered within 3 miles of the trailhead. Overall, it was a long day, but we had great, near perfect conditions.
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