My First Backpacking Trip, Day 3: Destination Merced Lake

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” ~Banksy

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” ~Banksy

The Night Before...

"Murder pinecones." That’s what I ended up calling them...

At about 7:30pm on Day 2 I had stumbled into Merced Lake’s backpacker’s camp in the dark with no energy left in the tank. I hastily pitched my tent between two massive pines and collapsed in a heap of exhaustion into my sleeping bag.

In the middle of the night, I woke up to the sound of high-speed winds whipping down from the mountains into the Merced Lake valley. It was incredibly loud; so loud you could hear the massive wave of wind coming and have time to brace. Each time, the burst of wind blasted against my tent and gave the surrounding pine tree branches a thorough shaking out.

And each time, you could hear a bunch of tiny “cracks” as pinecones came loose from high above and, aided by weight and gravity, traveled at what sounded like bullet speed to the ground with a splintery crash.

The second time I woke up, I heard that telltale crack right above me. The whizzing sound of something accelerating quickly to the ground. In my half-asleep stupor, though, I didn’t realize what it was until it landed RIGHT outside my tent. Probably no more than a foot from head. Suffice to say, it scared the crap out of me!

Despite the fearful adrenaline rush, I fell back asleep and slept like a brick until just before dawn — which feels almost like sleeping in when you’re in the backcountry 🤣

Day 3

When I crawled out of my tent, a group of backpackers was heading back to Yosemite Valley. I scanned the campground and realized I now had the entire place to myself — and presumably the entire lake to myself!

But right now, I had two priorities: coffee and fire. I lingered at the fire, warming up my feet and soaking in the heat while pondering what to do with this well-earned rest day.

The answer that came, obviously, was “very little!”

After a leisurely breakfast of apple cinnamon oatmeal, I gathered up my water bottles and filter and headed back to the trail. I had planned to lounge at the lake, but a shabby cabin caught my eye in the other direction.

Only 1/4 mile up the trail was one of Yosemite’s six High Sierra Camps. It was closed for the season, but the surrounding scenery was awesome. A small waterfall and basin beckoned me to stay for a while and just indulge in the beauty and serene soundscape of flowing water and chirping birds.

You know what surprised me? Despite being an absolute wreck the day before, I still had a thirst for adventure, even on this rest day. So, after seeing the trail signs just above this camp – which was a trailhead into several high Sierra Mountain destinations – I filed a mental bookmark for a future version of myself. One that was less tired and much more experienced!

After that I headed back down to Merced Lake — I hadn’t even had a proper look at it yet! And upon arriving, I ended up finding a clearing and laid down for hours, alternating between reading about more of John Muir’s Yosemite discoveries, and lounging in the tall grass with the sound of the lake's gentle wave lapping at the shore.

There wasn’t another human within miles. I had this entire lake to myself. The sense of isolation was comforting. All I felt was peace and serenity here.

The only negative thought remaining was the prospect of having to pack up and leave tomorrow. But I was incredibly grateful for this day of rest and solitude in such a beautiful slice of Yosemite’s vast wilderness.

Thanks for letting me share my adventures with ya!

~Jason

All photos by Jason Evangelho unless indicated otherwise. Shot on iPhone 15.