Exploring

June 27, 2014
Westfall Meadows, Yosemite National Park
Total distance walked: 4.6 miles

When I was a child, exploration wasn’t about trekking the trails of Yosemite. It was about wandering with wide-eyed wonder through our meticulously tended backyard after Sunday Mass. I was enchanted by nature, tenderly touching the leaves of the bushes, cradling berries in my hands, hunting for spider webs, and examining the grass for insects. Those memories of a curious young soul resurfaced as I meandered along the trail to Westfall Meadows in Yosemite National Park.

Departing the clamor of Glacier Point Road, I stepped into a shadowy forest. Pink pussypaws blooming in the sandy soil illuminated my path. The scent of cinnamon wafted through the breeze, and the fragrant air was alive with the melodies of whistling birds.

As I slowly meandered along the path, I eagerly searched for wildflowers, my eyes scanning the landscape in anticipation. Mountain lungwort, also known as mountain bluebells, was a delightful discovery on this trip. It was my first time seeing this beautiful flower. Indian paintbrush and western bistort were also abundant and easily visible. Fun fact: Indian paintbrush is Wyoming’s state flower. Western bistort’s roots are edible and have been used historically as a food source.

The blossoms that remained less prevalent were those that kept their petals closed until the sun’s rays filtered through the towering pine trees, prompting them to unfurl such as the lesser star tulip. A relative of the Mariposa lily, it was one of those stunning blooms that I encountered for the first time on this trip.

As I was searching, I discovered a bird’s nest nestled within the branches of a bush. Later, my attention was drawn to a giant, egg-shaped, multicolored rock.

As I continued along the path, I noticed that many of the trees had a distinctive beauty. I noticed a tree with bark that appeared to have been clawed by a bear. None of the other trunks in the vicinity had similar marks.

The defined route came to an end, giving way to a faint trail that wound through the delicate meadow.

Certain parts of the meadow were marked by a distinct wetland odor.

At the edge of the meadow, a dense cluster of corn lily plants stood majestically. As I navigated the marshy grass towards them, I stumbled upon a fascinating new discovery: Little elephants head flowers. It was my first encounter with this unique bloom.

The trail led to a stream where several logs were neatly placed across the water. This is where I ended my journey, but the trail extends for several more miles beyond.

Retracing my steps, I headed back and crossed the street to reach the McGurk Meadow trail. Cars zipped by, heading towards Glacier Point—a popular destination at the end of this road.

Each year, I visit McGurk Meadow to see the wildflowers. Unlike the deserted, unmarked trail of Westfall Meadows, this trail is well-trodden. As I walked to the end of the meadow, admiring this year’s blooms, I passed many people along the way—a stark contrast to the trail across the street.

Here are the other flowers I encountered during my explorations. Many of them will be familiar to you, as I frequently post about them; they seem to appear everywhere.

I took one last look at the vibrant flora around me. Each flower and plant, whether familiar or newly discovered, added its own charm to the journey. Reluctantly, I turned back, leaving the wonders of nature behind but taking with me memories of an enchanting adventure filled with vibrant blooms and serene vistas. Until next time, the trail awaits.