Thanks for a fabulous trip report!by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Matthew Greene missing since July 17, 2013. Just trying to help get out the word. More photos here Info on this High Sierra Topix thread. and the Find Matt Greene Facebook site.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks YosemiteJim! I read this trail report back in 2007 and that is what inspired me to look at planning a trip to the lake basin above the Lyell Fork of the Merced. Wanted to reread it this summer as I was putting the finishing touches to my long delayed plans, but could no longer find the link. There didn't seem to be any other trip reports to this area. So I just went figuring I'd either finby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hegel - on the way to the Upper Lyell Fork lake basin I followed the meandering creek along its south side. It was a bit brushy, but not too bad. On the way back I was on the north side which is even easier. In fact from Ansels camp back to the official trail there is use/abandoned/Ansel trail that is quite discernible. Once you start on the climb towards the lake basin it gets more challenging..by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Sorry, didn't see the bench marker at Isberg Pass. Never saw the Yosemite National Park sign either. That might be because I lost the trail right before the pass. Didn't seem important as I could see the lake where I was heading and just scrambled down to it.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great pictures and detailed story. You had me at the edge of my seat for each installment. Thanks for sharing. Love your enthusiasm!by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, as you both surmised the main destination of the trip was the lake basin above the Lyell Fork. See the Isberg to Vogelsang thread for details and pix.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
You've got it exactly right. My first day was about 14 miles from the Isberg TH in Sierra National Forest to the unnamed lake on the Yosemite side of Isberg Pass. The next morning I walked from that lake about a mile back to the trail, took the High trail 4 or 5 more miles to the Lyell Fork, then off trail up the fork a few miles to the lake basin above. Stayed in the basin and explored for a couby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I start hiking in the morning from Isberg TH in the Sierra National Forest. By afternoon I've reached Isberg Pass. Spent the night on the Yosemite side at this large unnamed lake directly below the pass. I follow the trail to the Lyell Fork, then wander along the river bank until it gets steeper, I finally arrive at a unnamed lake just below Mt Ansel Adams. The next moby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I think much of the appeal of a developed campground in the wilderness is the convenience of bear boxes, pit toilets and tap water. When the tap water is no longer available for backpackers the message spreads in short hand as "no water."by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great shots! Love the contrast between the red volcanic and the grey granite in these pictures.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
When the creek runs dry the High Sierra Camp will have water brought in by mule for their paying guests. If you are a backpacker maybe consider camping at one of the Sunrise lakes instead as most all of the creeks will be dry this year by August.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
In 1938, Ansel Adams took a trip to Yosemite National Park with friends Georgia O'Keeffe, David McAlpin, and Godfrey and Helen Rockefeller. One of their destinations was along the Lyell fork of the Merced river, Ansels favorite camp. This past week as I hiked through the area I tried to find the campsite. Follow along... Here is where the Lyell Fork of the Merced crosses the trail. I leave tby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the lovely photos and the detailed trip report. I think we might have run into each other on the trail just before Tuolumne on Saturday. I was the woman in the red shirt who looked a wee bit scruffy after two weeks on the trail. Pleasure to meet you!by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the kudos and the encouragement to go out and check out some other abandoned trails. It's now on my list. And sorry for the late reply. I have indeed been out hiking and will post something shortly.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Wow, fantastic photos! Look forward to seeing your shots from Lyell Canyon and Vogelsang as well.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
On old topo maps (and the topo maps iphone app) there is a one mile long trail connecting the Murphy Creek trail with the Sunrise TH at Tenaya Lake. When I was in Yosemite a couple of weeks ago I set out to find it. Sorry, you have to be a bit of a trail nerd to find this even a little bit interesting. Topo map of the trail connecting Murphy Creek trail with the Sunrise TH at Tenaya Lake. I'by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Very little, and there are stepping stones so no need to get your feet wet at all.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Consider supplementing by buying additional food in Yosemite. Both the stores in the Valley and Tuolomne usually carry some freeze dried, trailmix, crackers, power bars and the like. And yes just bring the larger bear can that way you won't have the bear can storage issue.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
To summarize, here are good places in Tuolomne to park your car while you are out on the trail for a few days: * Along the road between Lembert Dome day use parking and the stables, * Dog Lake TH parking lot which is located about half way between the Wilderness Center and Tuolomne Lodge, * The Wilderness Center parking lot, * May Lake TH parking lot, if you want to have your car at the endby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Tuolomne Meadows HSC dining room have you share tables with other guests, in that way it is family style like the other High Sierra Camps. In all other aspects it is just like a restaurant in that you order from a full assortment of menu items, only pay for what you order rather than fixed price meal and can order beer or wine.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
With the caveat that of course nobody can tell you exactly what the weather will be like later this month at around 10,000 feet in the high country around Tuolomne, but that said ... Daytime average high sixties. Night time average high thirties. Easily swings ten degrees up or down from there. Much below 25 or above 80 is unusual, although theoretically possible. Bring a sleeping bag that youby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
May Lake is a beautiful high alpine lake. And super easy to get to, only slightly over a mile hike up from the parking lot that chick-on mentions. Once there you can swim in the lake, fish, and explore. There are day hikes of various lengths, among them hiking up to the top of Mount Hoffman. The meals at the High Sierra Camp are served family style and are very tasty, the camp host tells great stby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Daytime will be shorts and t-shirt weather, although I prefer hiking in thin nylon pants and long sleeves to protect from the sun. Speaking of sun, you definitely need sunglasses and a hat, it is bright up there. Evenings are cool and night time is cold, might fall below freezing. 20 degree bag is perfect for me, 30 degree might work if you are not too sensitive to cold. Long john set, warm beaby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
My gear is about 15 pounds. It goes something like this: pack 3 pounds, solo tent 3 pounds, sleeping bag 2 pounds, sleeping pad 1 pound, cooking gear 1 pound, clothes 2 pounds, misc 1 pound, bear can 2 pounds. The bear can is a weekender and was expensive, the rest is just standard REI gear. So something in this range is very doable without spending big bucks. I fill up as I go so don't carry muby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Could have been the crowds traveling to and from the Strawberry Music Festival at Camp Mather.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks chick-on!by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Awesome photos! Can you tell us what each one is, other than the obvious Parker Pass sign and the view of Mono lake I'm a little lost.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the trip report and photos! Looks like you had a glorious time out there.by KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I wouldn't bother with yaktrax or spikies. It will most likely be slushy snow and not that much of it. More of an annoyance than anything. Mostly you want to make sure you don't loose the trail. Keep your group hiking together so that nobody gets lost. The TR chick-on linked to is a good one and has some photos. The one of the guys crossing Delaney is exactly how I remember it, knee deep but nby KatyAnderson - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion