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 the trail and follow the river upstream a ways to see where it takes me.
Green meadows, a lazy river and towering peaks soon appear.
It reminds me of that other Lyell Fork.
I am starting to see the appeal.
Those impossibly green meadows are right behind these camp sheltering trees.
Yes, I think this might be it. A massive cut log, rock seating and fire ring. No dates are carved anywhere, but looks to me it could be from 1938.
I mark the spot on my map.
And continue on up towards the lake basin above the Lyell Fork.