I am a newer hiker who is kind of rebooting his love for outdoor with a few hikes in Yosemite under my belt. Mostly solo like Panorama Trail, Mist Trail, Pohono Trail up to Inspiration Point, Taft Point and Sentinel Dome.. I would like to take a trip in Yosemite's Tuolomne Meadows region to see the beautiful high country that I have seen in pictures and read about here.
I am visiting Yosemite in the weekend of Jun 25-26 and looking to hike up to the Glen Aulin high sierra camp. I am planning for a day hike only and not looking for camping as I was neither able to secure a reservation in high sierra camp nor I find myself ready for solo camping yet. As per NPS website Glen Aulin high sierra camp is approx 6 miles one -way from Tuolomne Meadows visitor center and looking at my past experience, I should be able to out and back in 10 hours.
I also found about an alternative route - entering at Murphy Creek and exiting at Tuolomne Meadows - which is a mile longer than the one from Tuolomne Meadows. Of course, this will need parking at Toulomne Meadows and taking shuttle bus to the trail head.
I would appreciate any thoughts on feasibility of this as a solo day hike, which of the route is more scenic and other suggestions. It seems easy to me, but I don't know what I don't know. Also is there any chance of encountering wildlife (bears or mountain lions) on this trail.Again how much is the probability of encountering wildlife on this route.
Thanks,
Akash
The Moon is Waxing Gibbous (58% of Full)
Re: Tenaya Lake to Tuolumne Meadows via Murphy Creek and Glen Aulin
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June 17, 2016 07:26PM |
June 20, 2016 08:32PM |
Please listen to basilbop.
I will add...
Murphy Creek is nice ... but once you are OFF Murphy it's nearly all a wooded hike... with McGee Lake a minor blip...
there is some nice views of Falls Ridge... but... as is usual... you need to get off the trail to see it nicely...
Polly Dome Lakes are WELL off the trail...
And... if you do a loop you will be missing White Cascade.
Minimal you should hike to the bridge over the Tuolumne just before the Glen Aulin HSC.
An out and back is what I would recommend also... with a checkout of Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge...
and the bridge over the Tuolumne near Parsons...
Have fun
I will add...
Murphy Creek is nice ... but once you are OFF Murphy it's nearly all a wooded hike... with McGee Lake a minor blip...
there is some nice views of Falls Ridge... but... as is usual... you need to get off the trail to see it nicely...
Polly Dome Lakes are WELL off the trail...
And... if you do a loop you will be missing White Cascade.
Minimal you should hike to the bridge over the Tuolumne just before the Glen Aulin HSC.
An out and back is what I would recommend also... with a checkout of Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge...
and the bridge over the Tuolumne near Parsons...
Have fun
June 21, 2016 07:38AM |
Quote
akash.srivastava
Got it. So as you suggested, I will hike both Glen Aulin and Polly dome lakes out and back with Glen Aulin on first day and Polly dome on second day with May lake thrown in to make it a full day hike.
Not to dissuade you... but Polly Dome lakes are not incredibly picturesque..
The largest is nice and all... but again, it's OFF Trail.. and I have no idea
what your off trail experience is... I was simply pointing out that the Murphy
Creek trail is almost entirely in the woods. You can see this on the Topo map.
General rule of chick-on thumb is... if green it's mostly not for me... if white it's a delight.
(ok, I just made that up) ... but ... a LOT of Yosemite trails were built to
get from A to B... with little concern for views ... and built for stock to
move around.
If you are happy off trail... get on the open areas.
Of course my other general rule of thumb is... it's all good.
Sorry I don't know what you have done in the past... but what I tell people is
Pothole dome
Lembert
if game... take "fishermans" trail to Lower Cathedral (it's a trail)
Lots and lots and lots of people backpacking to Glen Aulin (HSC).
You would not be alone. Not even close...
Anyway.
Yes, go to May Lake (May Lake Road is now open).
Go to Glen Aulin and back... (and if you want to go to Polly Dome Lakes..
then ok... then maybe just do your original loop) (but you have been warned).
You have done most of the up if you have gone to Polly Dome Lake.
Anywho. You will enjoy whatever you do. Gonna shaddup now...
Have fun
May 08, 2017 07:18AM |
It's all good baby.
Between Murphy Creek and McGee you have to cross Cathedral Creek.
Sorry, I haven't crossed it early... only seen it from Grand Canyon Tuolumne...
early... I've avoided it via this way or that xc...
Anyzoo... before starting I'd poke around a bit and take a look-see
at how Murphy and Cathedral Creek look near Tioga Rd...
I'd say that even if you only went up Murphy Creek to the crossing of Murphy...
that would be a nice dayhike... that area is indeed "astounding"
You're next to the creek so obliviously you'll see how things are w/r to Murphy..
quickly...
For Cathedral keep you eyes open as you approach Daff...
you can look on your right and get a sense perhaps... or stop here:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.876682,-119.417224&z=15&t=t4
(there's parking) (well... if they plowed and/or it melted)
and go look some more...
Dingley and Delaney are going to be a challenge for a long time ... so keep those
in mind too
Have fun
Between Murphy Creek and McGee you have to cross Cathedral Creek.
Sorry, I haven't crossed it early... only seen it from Grand Canyon Tuolumne...
early... I've avoided it via this way or that xc...
Anyzoo... before starting I'd poke around a bit and take a look-see
at how Murphy and Cathedral Creek look near Tioga Rd...
I'd say that even if you only went up Murphy Creek to the crossing of Murphy...
that would be a nice dayhike... that area is indeed "astounding"
You're next to the creek so obliviously you'll see how things are w/r to Murphy..
quickly...
For Cathedral keep you eyes open as you approach Daff...
you can look on your right and get a sense perhaps... or stop here:
https://mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.876682,-119.417224&z=15&t=t4
(there's parking) (well... if they plowed and/or it melted)
and go look some more...
Dingley and Delaney are going to be a challenge for a long time ... so keep those
in mind too
Have fun
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