Climbing Mt. Hoffmann

August 9, 2012
Mt. Hoffmann, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked:  6 miles

John Muir, describing how best to spend one’s day in Yosemite, once said, “Go straight to Mt. Hoffmann…from the summit nearly all the Yosemite park is displayed like a map.”  Mount Hoffmann, marked by a survey marker, is the geological heart of Yosemite National Park. Today, Mary Elizabeth and I made our way to its summit.

Our trek’s first destination was a quick stop at May Lake, home to a High Sierra Camp nestled at the foot of Mt. Hoffmann.

Wildflowers flourished beside the trail. We observed a flurry of orange butterflies flitting from bloom to bloom, sipping the sweet nectar. Periodically, we paused to admire the ever-changing view.

As we walked through an especially verdant area, we encountered several grouse that appeared indifferent to our presence in their home.

Marmots and alpine chipmunks scurried around with abandon. Glancing back, we beheld the shimmering blue of May Lake.

A sunny meadow sat flanked by the forest and the adjacent granite base of Mt. Hoffmann.

Leaving the meadow, the trail wavered up and down through a shady forest, the last shelter from the sun before the climb.  As we emerged from the woods, our workout began.

Cairns guided us across the decomposed granite terrain. Amidst the multitude of rocks and boulders, locating a trail marker frequently proved to be a challenge.

As we ascended 2,000 heart-pounding feet, the panoramic view took our breath away. It was at this height that the true summit of Mt. Hoffman came into view.

We continued the trudge uphill and veered left to begin climbing the rocks. Lacking a shaded spot to sit for lunch, we settled in the sunlight like marmots, taking the opportunity to rest our tired muscles.

Four falcons soared gracefully through the sky before diving towards the earth in their quest for food, while a hungry marmot ambled slowly across the stones.

After lunch, we left our packs and pulled ourselves up the sloping mass of rocks.  I thought we were doing pretty well for a couple of middle-aged women.

Near the top, I peeked over the edge and saw an expansive view of Yosemite. Several unnamed lakes sat below nestled like jewels in a sea of gray granite. The wind, arriving in powerful gusts, gave us the sensation that we might be swept away from the mountainside.

We scrambled down the mountain and navigated our way from the rocks back to May Lake.

This quote from John Muir sums up our day, “If for a moment you are inclined to regard these taluses as mere draggled, chaotic dumps, climb to the top of one of them, and run down without any haggling, puttering hesitation, boldly jumping from boulder to boulder with even speed.  You will then find your feet playing a tune, and quickly discover the music and poetry of these magnificent rock piles.”

We took pride in having achieved our goals. Slowly and surely, we climbed the mountain and found its music and poetry along the way.