This was my third time running this route but first time going from Tuolumne Meadows to White Wolf! Hard to say which direction is truly faster. Having that big of a climb at the very end and about 7.5 miles of techy descent dropping into the canyon from T Meadows was tough for sure but after having gone both directions, I think E to W is faster (if you're good with technical descending that is!).
I started at around 8:20am, a bit later of a start than I wanted but temps and weather were practically perfect this day! 27 degrees to start and warmed up quick down in Pate Valley. There was a bit of ice the first 4 miles but didn't slow things down much. A lot more downed trees than I remembered and sections of trail down in the canyon that were a bit confusing at times. Brought all my own food with me as well as an emergency kit and an Inreach. Stopped to filter water about 3-4 times which was easy given that the trail follows the Tuolumne River the entire time there are a few creeks on the ascent to White Wolf.
Didn't have any splits or pacing in mind. Was dealing with some mysterious post-tib pain and so kept the pace a bit conservative yet a steady effort for the first 20 miles. Kicked up the effort a bit when I crossed over the river and gave it my all on the climb up to White Wolf... that is until about 4 miles from the parking lot when I experienced the worst muscle cramping in my legs that I couldn't shake. Had to stop and walk/stretch a few times to keep them under control. When I found out I could finish sub-6 hours, I rallied to give the last couple of miles everything I got and just barely squeaked under.
Such a treat to get to spend time down in this canyon again; a trail I will continue to return to again and again because it's just so special down there!