Through the Lens: Photos from our Summer Solstice Backpacking Trip
Explore moments through snapshots from our female-powered backcountry trip this past June in Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy wilderness
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Hatchhatchie.
The Miwok word for “edible grasses,” Hetch Hetchy was once a great landscape that John Muir claimed rivaled the beauty of the beloved and popular Yosemite Valley. The indigenous and first peoples to whom this land belongs inhabited the Hetch Hetchy valley and surrounding lands for more than 6,000 years prior to the arrival of Western colonization, and from its bounty they thrived here with clean water access, ample food supply, and mild winters.
Boasting towering granite walls and meadows teeming with wildflowers and animals, the Hetch Hetchy valley existed relatively unaltered by the hands of humankind until the implementation of the O’Shaughnessy Dam and transformation into a reservoir in order to provide ample water supply to the bourgeoning population of 1920s San Francisco.
This drastic shift to the northwestern corner of what is now Yosemite National Park 100 years ago forever changed the landscape of this area. From plentiful valley to vast reservoir, this area of the Park remains one of our favorite respites to explore some of Yosemite’s most stunning backcountry wilderness.
Stunning alpine vistas from the trail. Photo by Sheri Shiftlett.
2023: An Unprecedented Year in Yosemite
This year has proved and continues to be a much different start to the season than recent years. With the unparalleled snowfall in the Sierra Nevada this past winter, Yosemite has been ensconced in deep sheets of snow and ice, closing off access to many areas of the Park well into the summer months. As we write these words, Tuolumne Meadows and other high country areas remain closed as road crews continue to dig out and assess the roadways and structures.
Because our summer has been slower to greet higher elevations, it’s allowed an uncharacteristically long spring and access to places best explored in the fleeting season. Enter Hetch Hetchy. A bit hot to explore in summer months, it was the perfect container for our Summer Solstice Backpacking Trip this year.
The group making their way through Yosemite’s wilderness. Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Our incredible and determined group of ladies journeyed up the switchbacks climbing out of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Basin amidst the cascading waterfalls and granite domes, weaving their way across meadows, creeks, and wildflowers to Lake Eleanor.
These backpackers came from all walks of life, from seasoned trekkers to bright-eyed beginners, each of them bringing the stoke, excitement, and their own unique gifts to fuel and enrich the 4-day journey that lay ahead.
On the trail. Photo by Tracy Zhu.
Meal time in the backcountry means creative setups & seating! Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Led by our 2023 guide team Sarah Sugarman and Catherine Wortmann, this all-female trip spent 4 days and 3 nights traversing Yosemite’s wilderness, relaxing lakeside, gathering over meals & campfires, and enjoying the epic scenery.
Saluting the sun & sky with a lakeside yoga practice led by Catherine. Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Alpine lake swims are an absolute must! Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Meals by the fire. Photo by Tracy Zhu.
One of our favorite annual trips, we offer this backpacking journey as a way for nature lovers and yogis to challenge themselves in the backcountry while enjoying its beauty across the longest days of the year surrounding the Summer Solstice. To practice and learn yoga, mindfulness, and valuable wilderness skills while being fully immersed in the Great Outdoors offers participants moments of deep personal transformation and connection to the natural world. Year after year brand-new backpackers attend this trip and leave feeling empowered and ready to trek more challenging trails or strike out on their first solo backpack!
A little backcountry watercoloring is good for the soul. Photo by Tracy Zhu.
Dreamy dusky skies by the lake. Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
Mindfulness moments in community. Photo by Sheri Shiflett.
A huge thank you to all the participants & guides for sending their photos from this adventure, and to the entire Balanced Rock support staff for making these experiences happen year after year.
If you are interested in attending one of our trips please visit our Programs Calendar for more details on our upcoming trips & retreats!