WildLink April 2025: Porterville High School

After the group had burned off some energy, hands and feet were freezing cold, and layers were wet, they continued on their journey. They drove through the Wawona Tunnel and emerged on the other side to find a majestic view of Yosemite valley, where they took a moment to take it in, enjoy the view, and of course take a picture. 

That Sunday evening the group was welcomed into Curry village where they stayed their first two of five nights in Yosemite. Sunday ended with a bond fire after dinner and the group nestled into their heated cabins for the night. Monday morning came brightly, the day where all the gear is gathered. The group spent the morning getting ready and preparing for the four days in the backcountry. Once all the gear was ready, a quick walk to Lower Yosemite Falls instilled wonder into the group as they looked up and felt the cold spray of the powerful falls. Monday evening, the group got together for their evening program where they sat out in Stoneman meadow and talked about their hopes and fears for the week.  

Tuesday morning arrived, the day in which the group was to hike six miles in the wilderness and set up camp. The day was warm as the group drove about an hour and fifteen minutes to Hetch Hetchy, another majestic valley in the Sierra Nevada. The group got there excited to begin their journey and were joined by Ranger Connor at the trailhead who was full of stoke for the trip. The group began hiking, and even though it was everyone’s first time backpacking they were a strong group of hikers. They made quick work of the first few miles and were rewarded by the cooling spray of magical Wapama falls. 

Still in high spirits the group continued on using small breaks to conserve energy and hydrate as they found their rhythm on the trail. The second half of the trail proved to be a challenge, where the first three miles came relatively quick the second three miles seemed to get longer with each step. The group had to work together to stay together and help each other break through the physical and mental walls of the challenging hike. The group made it to camp in great time, still with lots of light and found a great spot and set up camp by Rancheria creek for the rest of the week. Tuesday night ended with camp dinner and a fire, where the tired group filled their bellies, shared some thoughts and went to bed. 

Wednesday came and after a nice oatmeal breakfast Ranger Connor led the group through a restoration project of their camping area around Rancheria Creek. There were lots of illegal and overused fire rings that needed attention and the group made quick work of them. After the restoration project the group said goodbye to Ranger Connor and spent the rest of the day around camp playing games, hacky sacking, exploring, and hiding from the rain. Dinner was welcomed early and the group was eager to learn how to cook using camping stoves. They lit another fire and conversation ensued. The stars were bright when the group went to bed.   

Thursday began with some breakfast and a decision, where to go for a long hike? The group had two options and could both choose where to go and for how long. Between going toward Rancheria Mountain and heading towards Tiltill valley the group chose Tiltill Valley. The Day was warm and the sun felt heavy on their backs, but the group persevered and after some moments of doubt and hesitation over whether to head back or not they made it to peaceful Tiltill valley. Having the valley to themselves, they relaxed, had some lunch, and took in the moment. Once they were ready to head back the group made quick work of it and got back to camp in time for a dip in the creek before dinner. That last night the group decided how early they would wake up to hike out the next morning and even though they chose a very early start time, the group stayed up talking and laughing. 

The last day of the trip came, Friday, and the bittersweet pack up of camp began before the crack of dawn. Having prepared for the early morning the night before camp was efficiently packed and before they knew it breakfast bagels were being passed around as packs laid around ready to be hiked out. The six miles out to the trailhead seemed way shorter than they did four days ago, with lighter packs, well used trail legs, and acclimated lungs the team was back at the cars in no time

Lunch at the trailhead and snacks to-go were given, along with goodbye hugs and high fives. The group was still in high spirits as they concluded their first backpacking trip in Yosemite Wilderness. Some saying it wasn’t too hard and they would do it again, others saying they wouldn’t touch a backpack for a long time, but all with a smile and a sense of accomplishment and pride. The group returned to their home in Porterville eager to tell their tales!