Mark, brother Mike, Kevin and Coral began our journey to Hetch Hetchy stopping at the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland and enjoyed cheeseburgers and fries. The Saloon is documented as the oldest Saloon in California. Cool little place with loads of character. We arrived at the backpackers camp at the Hetch Hetchy O'Shaughnessy Dam, and after setting up camp, Mike, Kevin and Coral took a 5.23 mile hike to Wapama Falls. It was a beautiful hike and the Falls were spectacular. After returning to the campsite, we ate dinner and played Rummy into the night, anticipating our hike to Laurel Lake the following morning. One word to describe our hike to Laurel Lake: RELENTLESS: Persistent, continuing, constant, continual, continuous, nonstop, never-ending, unabating, interminable, incessant, unceasing, endless, unending, unremitting, unrelenting, unrelieved INCLINE. The hike was 9.6 endless miles and took over 6 hours with about a 3,000 elevation climb. We climbed and climbed while crossing 7 creeks. We bushwhacked and hiked through a soggy meadow and climbed some more. Almost to Laurel Lake, we had to cross a raging river. Five young men were sitting on a rock and said they decided not to cross and were heading back. Mark searched for a way to cross and found a log crossing that seemed somewhat doable. After bushwhacking our way toward the log, we gingerly crossed the river. Kevin ended up with wet boots, but thankfully Laurel Lake was near by. Once we finally arrived at Laurel Lake, we found a nice campsite with a large fire pit. We set up our tents, ate dinner and poured some wine! We talked and talked about our hike and how amazed we all were that we made it. We continue our Rummy game and agreed there would be no hiking the following day! On Sunday, Mark and Mike fished along the lake, had a few bites, but never landed a fish. While Mike was cruising around our campsite, he came across an Army Man. Being Memorial Day Weekend, he built a fort for the guy to call home. Coral and Kevin relaxed, bathed in the creek and each climbed into their tents for a much needed nap. We had a nice evening fire and tried a dough dessert made and cooked in the fire pit - it was awful. :) Sunday we packed up and anticipated crossing over that raging river once again. Nerve-racking as it was, we all made it safely. The hike out was all downhill and we were actually able to take in the beautiful scenery, wild flowers and spectacular views. Things we never notice on our hike in.... too busy concentrating on the climb! Overall we hike about 24.43 miles. We enjoyed IN AND OUT BURGER on our way home!