Beginning-of-the-Year Trip: Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite National Park
September 11-15, 2011
See more photos: Facebook album 1, Facebook album 2, Facebook album 3.
“This really just changed the way I view ‘hanging out’, because I realized that we don’t have to be surrounded by technology to have fun, because the simplest moments are the moments that we will always remember.” – Zinnia, Grade 11
“It was weirdly exciting going camping, as every other school camping trip, considering camping is not something I like to do. Just the way the school led you through the whole thing and how your friends were always right next to you was quite nice and is what made this whole thing exciting and fun.” – Timmy, Grade 9
“Seeing the underground gardens was my favorite part of the trip. It was really amazing to see the effect of one man’s dreams and determination. I really thought it was inspirational that he did not care or stop because of what people thought.” – Henry, Grade 11
“If it weren’t for the help of Esai, Julio, and Gordon I wouldn’t have had the confidence to go all the way up [to Clouds Rest]. It was very pleasing knowing that I had conquered my fear of heights.” – Isaac, Grade 11
Sunday, September 11
The day before the trip, the senior food group leaders, faculty, and alumni helpers all did an excellent job of organizing the food and kitchen supplies for the trip. On Sunday morning, the packing of the bus and vans went smoothly. We left shortly after 6:00 AM, which was good, as that afternoon the school would have to set up camp and cook dinner in the rain. Everyone pitched in and helped each other with the challenging weather conditions. Lots of firewood was purchased at the Tuolumne Meadows store before it closed at 6:00 PM, and we managed to maintain three fires in the rain. Students learned the importance of pitching their tents on higher ground. Students whose sleeping bags and tents became too wet that night were moved to drier tents, and the extra sleeping bags were made available as needed. Although the wet conditions were definitely challenging, the students and teachers adjusted positively and showed good resilience.
Monday, September 12
Thanks to a break in the weather, students were able to dry out a little and cook breakfast in the morning sunshine. For our first official activity in Tuolumne Meadows, a group of 7th, 8th, and 9th graders met Ranger Karen Amstutz at 9:00 AM at Pothole Dome. Karen is a master naturalist, who works as an interpreter in the Tuolumne area of Yosemite National Park. She began by having the students notice the impacts the recent rains had on the earth, and then after a short walk to Pothole Dome, Karen used the features of granite surfaces to ask students questions to facilitate their inquiry into the geological history of the Tuolumne Meadows area. At 10:45 AM, the second group of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders arrived to meet Karen for their introduction, and the first group was shuttled back to camp. After lunch, the students were grouped according to their “food groups” for hikes along the Tuolumne River. The crack of thunder during the hike was a sign that the rain was coming back, and by 5:00 PM, just in time for dinner, we were again in the rain. This time we were better prepared, and all of the food groups performed smoothly. Because of the uncertain weather, the hike to Clouds Rest was postponed until Wednesday. Students were kept informed about any itinerary changes during all-school meetings after dinner.
Tuesday, September 13
Anacapa arranged for our first Breakfast Club of the school year to be held in the Dana Circle Amphitheater led by Ron Kuak, a legendary climber, who now resides during the summer months in Tuolumne Meadows. Ron shared some of his life lessons with the students, saying that he didn’t want to tell the students anything, but was just trying to work through his own questions. Students were impressed with his resume, including stunt doubling for Tom Cruise and Sylvester Stallone, but were also receptive to his message of learning through nature and listening to its messages for us all. When asked about his advice for the upcoming Cloud’s Rest hike, Ron suggested that students go at their own pace and absorb their surroundings, rather than race to the top. Several students were inspired to seek volunteer jobs with Ron for next summer, and Ron promised an Anacapa School showing of his film, “Return to Balance: A Climber’s Journey.”
After Breakfast Club, we packed up picnic lunches for our excursion for the day. First stop was a visit to Soda Springs, whose rust-colored springs produce a tasty carbonated water that has been prized by Native Americans, early settlers, and visitors over the years. The Anacapa students were no exception; they enthusiastically sampled the mysterious waters. The idea for making Yosemite a national park was made around a campfire at Soda Springs with John Muir in 1889. Also at Soda Springs, in 1915 the newly formed Sierra Club built the beautiful Parsons Lodge out of local material. It is now owned by the National Parks Service and is open as a visitor center with informative displays to bring to life the history of Tuolumne Meadows. Headmaster Gordon Sichi brought all of the students inside and gave them a brief history of the discovery of Yosemite Valley by the U.S. military in 1851, who Chief Tenaya of the Yosemites was, and the role John Muir played in helping to preserve the Sierra wilderness (even if he lost the epic battle to preserve the Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed by the City of San Francisco). Next stop was the traditional picnic/play day at Lake Tenaya, which usually happens after the hike to Clouds Rest. We took advantage of the early afternoon sunshine for some football on the beach, swimming, and relaxed time in the extraordinary setting of Lake Tenaya with its surrounding granite peaks and domes. On the way back to camp, the rain returned just in time for another wet dinner! After dinner, students packed their daypacks for the big hike to Clouds Rest on Wednesday. Another all-school meeting was held to go over the details of the hike.
Wednesday, September 14
Students were woken up at 5:00 AM to a cold 32-degree morning. After some hot chocolate and a quick breakfast, the bus was loaded at 6: 30 for the short drive to the Sunrise Trailhead. Students chose among five different hiking groups. Group 1 was led by Hugo Macario and Alum Connor Proctor, Group 2 by Gordon Sichi, Group 3 by Megan Nesland, Group 4 by Rachid Laabga and Alum Dillon Yuhasz; and Group 5 by Suzie Sichi and Levi Maaia. Group 1 arrived by 11:30 AM, and Group 5 arrived with all students making it to the top by 12:30. After lunch, the all-school photo was taken by a French hiker, who kindly offered to take the pictures. On the way back, Gordon took his traditional position in the rear, and Suzie took over Group 2. Group 5, thanks to the extra supervision provided by Levi Maaia, divided into two groups with Group 6 led by Gordon. Rain conveniently waited until we were on the way back. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were shuttled back to camp first, followed by Groups 4 and 5. Group 6 drove back to camp in the Yukon, which was positioned at the trailhead for back-up. After another wet dinner, the rain stopped just in time for everyone to share his or her individual thoughts at the traditional “appreciations” campfire. The seniors had prepared the “talking stick” as a jar filled with dirt, plants, and air from the top of Clouds Rest. Ron Kauk joined us and offered his own appreciations at the end.
Thursday, September 15
Students were woken up early for the big job of packing up with everything so wet. We needed to get on the road early, so we could make our appointment to visit the Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno. The cooperation and helpfulness of everyone was impressive. By 10:30, we were on the road with our first stop Olmstead Point with its stunning views of Clouds Rest and Half Dome. Students were amazed that the day before they had all been on top of the narrow summit of Clouds Rest, which as the highest peak in Yosemite Valley appears so high on the horizon. Next stop was down in the Valley at the legendary Inspiration Point, where Clouds Rest could be seen from down below. After leaving Yosemite, we made good time and arrived at 3:00 PM for our tour of what is left of one man’s life labor to dig an underground garden in Fresno. Baldassare Forestieri began digging in 1901 and eventually dug out 10 acres to make an intricate system of gardens and rooms before his untimely death in 1946. Only a small amount of the original excavations remain, but what is preserved shows his talents as an untrained architect and expert grower of citrus and exotic trees. After the tour, Anacapa went to the nearby In and Out for our dinner, and then we headed home, arriving at 9:40 PM safe, sound, and dry!