10th Annual Yosemite Sing Peak Pilgrimage

Documenting our continuing efforts to recognize the Chinese contributions to Yosemite National Park

Ricky Leo

August 19, 2022

Eugene Moy:

"Our first pilgrimage began on August 4, 2013 with a small group who, inspired by presentations and research by Yosemite Ranger Yenyen Chan, organized our first trip to Yosemite National Park. Led by state park superintendent/environmental educator Jack Shu, we gathered at Wawona to plan trips to discover the Chinese American heritage of Yosemite and to honor Tie Sing, the legendary mountain chef whose culinary skills contributed in no small way to the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916.

Since 2013, our pilgrimages have led us to many paths of discovery, and have increased the public awareness of the important role of early Chinese Americans in the mountains. Chinese workers built long access roads (sometimes in the winter), worked in timber operations, grew food for the hotels and local population, ran the kitchens in the hotels, and washed the hotel and restaurant linens."

Itinerary

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Arrive at accommodations.

Friday, July 29, 2022, 8:30am

Meet at the Lee Vining Community Center to carpool together to Tuolumne Meadows.

Friday, July 29, 2022, 9:30am

Meet Ranger Yenyen Chan at Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center for a history walk along an easy trail through Yosemite's scenic high country and across the Tuolumne River.

Friday, July 29, 2022, 1:00pm

Explore different options from easy, moderate to more strenuous walks: Easy: John Muir Trail to Twin Bridges from Dog Lake Parking lot Moderate: Bennettville Trail from across Tioga Lake Overlook parking area More strenuous: Hike to the top of Lembert Dome from the Dog Lake Parking lot

Friday, July 29, 2022, 5:30pm

Campfire gathering hosted by Bak and Karen Jong at Lee Vining Community Center.

Friday, July 29, 2022, 7:30pm

Meet at Lee Vining Community Center, carpool to south shore of Mono Lake for sunset and stars talk at South Tufa State Park with Ranger Yenyen Chan.

Saturday, July 30, 2022, 8:00am

Meet at Lee Vining Community Center to carpool together to Olmsted Point, located past Tuolumne Meadows. Take in the glacially carved lake, valleys, domes, and a view of Half Dome and Clouds Rest in the distance.

Saturday, July 30, 2022, 9:15am

Leave Olmsted Point and carpool to the May Lake trailhead parking lot for history of the original Tioga Road (aka "The Great Sierra Wagon Road"). Hike to May Lake and back.

Saturday, July 30, 2022, 3:30pm

Writer and illustrator Rich Lo will give a talk about his artwork for the book “Mountain Chef” about Tie Sing and the Mather Mountain Party, and about his personal journey as a Chinese American artist.