Treasures from the John Muir Trail (Pt. 1)

View of Tenaya Canyon from the Half Dome Trail, Yosemite, California. September 14, 2019.

{I recently completed an eleven month project, the Lake Family Resource Center's California HOPE project,  leading a team working with fire survivors of the Mendocino Complex fire in Northern California. As part of my closure for this project, as well as my growing interest in solo backpacking, I hiked a small, iconic, portion of the John Muir Trail. This series is a reflection and a taste of insights I received from that journey.}

In 2018 my planned John Muir Trail hike in Yosemite National Park was hijacked by smoke from the Fergusen Fire. I took an alternate trek in the park to Vogelsang (read more about that adventure here), but within three days, Yosemite Valley was shut down and I found my way back to base camp.

As I drove home to Lake County, the Mendocino Complex Fire, now known as California's largest wildfire in recorded history, had just broken out. I was hearing reports via phone never imagining what the next year would hold for me as I drove from one set of smokey mountains to another. By October, I was invited to lead the FEMA funded project.

____________________

This year in Lake County a few small fires have broken out throughout the summer. Residents here, triggered again and again as each golden-green patch burns, have been living with catastrophic fire since the summer of 2015 when three devastating fires, including the Valley Fire, consumed nearly a third of the county.

It was in July, the beginning of fire season in Lake County and about a month away from completion of the project, that my self care and wellness started slipping. The project itself had a strong self-care component for the team--a team that would meet directly with survivors, help them navigate resources, common reactions to disasters, and learn to set priorities and take small steps toward their recovery.

But, between this project and completing a year long mindfulness teacher training (along with all the usual busyness of life!) I started to slip. I was staying up late watching movies or shopping online. I was eating bigger portions and lots of sugar--things I usually resort to when I'm tired and need to push through what's on my plate, rather than glide with joy through the day's adventure. I was distancing in my intimate relationship, but most importantly, though, I was losing touch with the sacredness of the moment.

By a  few weeks before the end of the project, fatigue took over and I had to rest. I intended to be hiking 3+ miles with full weight (35 pounds) at least two times per week by this time. But instead, I had to set it all aside, only doing the very minimum to get through the day.

An overlook pull out on Hwy 140 toward Tuolumne Meadows. View of Tenaya Canyon with Clouds Rest and Half Dome in the distance. September 8, 2019.

Hwy 140 is a pretty non-descript highway through the park--until you reach the overlook of Tenaya Canyon. Last year, the smoke was too heavy to even know there was a canyon there, much less  experience its depth and grandeur.

A giddiness tingled up my spine as I drove the curves to increasingly more stunning views. I pulled over. 'This is it!'

Within moments a falcon launched off the tall gray tip of a dead conifer, slowly swaying just overhead through the piercing blue sky. Hawks are one of my spirit animals--their fierce precision, patience and spectacular markings bring awe to the depths of my soul.

The reconnection with spirit was emerging!

Within a few moments, a second falcon joined in to sweep the area overhead and I was instantly transported into sacred awareness. What a greeting!

When the project completed I had a week's time to get ready for the 20+ mile trek. I took the full packed backpack out a few times for a mile or so, checked and rechecked the equipment and supplies. It was a chore. I was  disconnected from any excitement of the journey. I felt only a dull connection with the present.

I took an extra day on the way to Yosemite to visit a friend and  pick up a few last minute items. I stayed at a cozy Airbnb just a few hours outside the park. A leisure pace seemed important after pushing for so many months.

The September weather was perfect the morning I set into the park--cool, crisp air and clear skies--and as I drove closer, the freshness and reality of the excursion ahead started chinking away at the top layer of dullness.

A falcon takes off from its perch. Yosemite National Park. September 8, 2019.

Around the next few curves a completely incomprehensible view emerged. Not only was the whole Tenaya Valley exposed, but all of Clouds Rest ridge and Half Dome was visible in the distance. I choked a bit and lost my breath. 'That is where I'm going. Oh my God!! I'm headed out to THOSE peaks!'

I pulled over once again and danced around on massive slabs of granite amongst other gawkers. I was unable to hold back the excitement. I couldn't believe that the next day I was heading out towards those monolithic wonders! And with plans to climb Half Dome!

(To be continued...)

---

~JoAnn Saccato, MA, is a certified teacher with the Mindfulness Training Institute, life coach, author and consultant. She is the author of Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice and Mindful and Intentional Living: A Path to Peace Clarity and Freedom.

Mindfulness is an umbrella term for a large body of popular health and wellness practices based on purposefully bringing a curious, kind and non-judgmental attention to moment by moment experience. It is a scientifically proven approach that helps reduce stress and stress-related illnesses, increase focus and attention, decrease incidences of and relapses with depression, reduce anxiety, reduce relapses in addiction, and aids in sleep and digestive disorders. It has also been shown to increase well being, life satisfaction and happiness, as well as improved social relationships.

You can reach JoAnn at [email protected]. To follow her visit: www.MindfulAndIntentionalLiving.com