Vogelsang to Merced Lake - Fletcher vs Lewis Creek Trail?

My group will be hiking from Vogelsang to Merced Lake next week. Two years ago we hiked the opposite direction via the Fletcher Creek route. Thinking about trying the Lewis Creek trail this time to get from Vogel to ML. Good idea?

Go for it. I did Lewis Creek last year in the opposite direction. Tip: Don't miss the 1-mile side trip to Bernice Lake if you have time. Yes, it's uphill again but will you ever have another chance? I'ts worth it; one of the most attractive lakes in the park.

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tomdisco

Tip: Don't miss the 1-mile side trip to Bernice Lake if you have time. Yes, it's uphill again but will you ever have another chance? I'ts worth it; one of the most attractive lakes in the park.

Nicer than Table Lake?

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plawrence

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tomdisco

Tip: Don't miss the 1-mile side trip to Bernice Lake if you have time. Yes, it's uphill again but will you ever have another chance? I'ts worth it; one of the most attractive lakes in the park.

Nicer than Table Lake?

Don't know. Will see Table Lake for the first time on August 21st. Far be it for me to contradict the chicken! Anyway, Table Lake is much lower in elevation, about 7,050' whereas Bernice is 10,217'. The two of them are really quite different in that respect, amount of trees, local topography,etc.

I think I conned tomdisco into going to Bernice...

There's been enough pictures and talk about Table Lake...
so at this point.. I'm innocent. (like the delicious basil wires)

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chick-on

There's been enough pictures and talk about Table Lake...
so at this point..

Enough talk, yes.

But I would certainly appreciate more photos of Table Lake and its environs.

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plawrence

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chick-on

There's been enough pictures and talk about Table Lake...
so at this point..

Enough talk, yes.

But I would certainly appreciate more photos of Table Lake and its environs.

It doesn't get any better than this:


(camped so close to water as this is the only flat spot)

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Old Dude

Hey fartknocker... you're suppose to post a response in the "Please Reader Take this Poll" thread!

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chick-on
Hey fartknocker... you're suppose to post a response in the "Please Reader Take this Poll" thread!

Ding Dong, I mean Twinkie Bird or Twitty Bird or whatever, I did vote.

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Old Dude

Dingleberry,

As expected you didn't read this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,43550,43878#msg-43878

and
this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,43550,43902#msg-43902

(and I don't need a lame excuse) (just get ur schtuff toghethers for tomorrow turkey!)

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chick-on
Dingleberry,

As expected you didn't read this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,43550,43878#msg-43878

and
this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,43550,43902#msg-43902

(and I don't need a lame excuse) (just get ur schtuff toghethers for tomorrow turkey!)

No nice French toast or not crispy bacon for you!

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Old Dude

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chick-on
I think I conned tomdisco into going to Bernice...

There's been enough pictures and talk about Table Lake...
so at this point.. I'm innocent. (like the delicious basil wires)

You did but I would not have wanted to miss it. Wished I'd had time to go higher near Parson's.

I presume you didn't go up to Vog. Lake and the pass last time...

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We were only at Vogel one night last time, and we did a quick hike over to Townsley Lake, and one of our group went over to Vogel Lake. This year we are there for two nights and then head down to Merced Lake HSC. So looking for the best out and back day hike from Vogel. Adding that Bernice Lake spur seems like it might be worth it on the way down to ML if via Lewis, even if it adds two more miles. Any all suggestions appreciated.

A nice day-trip in the Vogelsang area, if you are comfortable with off-trail travel and some talus, is to go to the top of Vogelsang Pass, then climb to the saddle above Hanging Basket lake, then traverse to the top of Parsons Peak. From there, drop to the Ireland Lake outlet, climb to the low ridge between Ireland and Evelyn, and work your way back to Vogelsang using the use-trail that follows the lakes above Vogelsang. It's roughly 8 miles, but has great views almost the entire way. There's probably lingering snow this year, so I'd ask the camp helpers for conditions.

I agree with Basil...

(I've posted pix in the past of Parsons Plateau)

and as I alluded to previously.. minimally go up to Vog Pass...

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