The annual HGM trip to Yosemite was this past week from May 19th to May 24th. Every year, seniors in the HGM program go on this trip after AP exams are over to celebrate being (mostly) done with high school. Going on this trip was a fun way to spend time with some of my friends and round off our high school careers.
Initially, I wasn’t too excited to go to Yosemite. Having gone in the summer of 2023, I was left mostly unimpressed by the park. Don’t get me wrong, the views are breathtaking, however, there isn’t really much to do for more than a couple of days and I far enjoy a summer trip to nearby Mammoth Mountain, doing either road-or mountain-biking.
Additionally, our accommodations during our trip were not the best. We were staying in a place called “Curry Village,” a multi-acre gathering of tents propped up by wooden bases. These tents not only had negative amounts of temperature control but were also pretty cramped for the 4 people they are meant to house.
Curry Village itself also isn’t a spectacular place. The taco and pizza place was grossly overpriced and the cafeteria was serving food that made LAUSD lunch look like a 5 star meal. Also, because of the tents, there were separate shower and bathroom facilities that were also not the best. Lastly, because we were in a National Park, cell service was an afterthought providing for a mostly disconnected week.
However, this trip gave me a new view of Yosemite. Despite the mediocre living conditions, the itinerary for our trip was much different from when I visited a year prior. Specifically, it included many rigorous hikes and many interesting historical and geological lessons from HGM Science Teacher, Mr. Maine.
After arriving there Sunday evening, we were up nice and early on Monday for a hike up to the top of Yosemite Falls. While seeming short at just 3 miles long, you gain 2700 feet of elevation in that space, meaning you’re going up switchbacks almost the entire way up. However, the view from the top of the falls is spectacular.
On Tuesday, it was more of a mellow day. We took a walk around Mirror Lake, learning about how it was artificially made about a century ago to attract visitors. However, as a result of flooding, a part of the trail went underwater, forcing us to forge our way through the woods as we tried to make our way back to Curry Village.
On Wednesday, some students were crazy enough to get up at 4 in the morning to hike up to cloud’s rest. A 24-mile round trip hike that gains about 6,000 feet in elevation. I was not ready for the challenge so we went on a stunning hike up the mist trail to see the top of Vernal Falls. There, you could stand right next to where the water was about to drop off, a sight that I had never seen before.
Overall, while I had low expectations for the trip, I actually came back pretty happy. I explored new places in the park, challenging myself to work stronger and harder to conquer those hikes. Additionally, I spent time with my friends and bonded with people I had previously not been very close with. In the end, I am glad that the HGM has this senior trip and I hope that it will continue for generations to come!
