Was supposed to climb Foerster on a trip 2 years ago, but difficulties arose. So last week I was out there for a few days alone, to finish what had been started.
I apologize that half of this trip occurs outside the park.
Departed from Fernandez Trail head, to...
Rutherford Lake.
Then a cross-country traverse near 9,800' around to Isberg Lakes via...
Anne Lake.
Meadow below Slab Lakes.
Post Lakes.
Ward Lakes.
And camp at Lower Isberg. Smoke from the Aspen Fire is beginning to become a problem...
Next day's agenda was to climb over Blush Peak and Long Mountain, then camp at Blue Lakes.
Climbing above Isberg Lakes, nearing the Yosemite Park Boundary Ridge.
Looking north into the park from the boundary ridge, west of Blush at 10,700'.
The West Ridge of Blush, about to be climbed.
View north from top of Blush.
On the West Summit of Blush, looking over the gap to the East Summit.
On the East Summit of Blush, looking back to the (higher) West Summit.
West Ridge of Long Mountain, about to be climbed.
From the summit of Long Mountain, looking down the Northeast Ridge, about to be descended.
Northeast Ridge of Long Mountain, just descended.
From the base of the ridge, I traversed around the head of the Long Creek Canyon.
View down Long Creek.
Below Pt. 11,535'.
To Blue Lakes.
Above the "cavorting" meadows of Bench Canyon.
Next day's agenda was to climb over Foerster Peak to the Lyell Fork Merced.
Sunrise at camp, Lower Blue Lake.
Climbing Foerster via Southeast Slope.
When climbing Foerster from this side I would encourage a very short side trip over to the saddle due east of the summit, at 11,650'.
The view from the saddle includes a good vantage over Foerster Ridge Pass below. (Soon to be descended).
View north into the park from top of Foerster, and more smoke.
Looking down the North Ridge of Foerster, to be descended.
Looking back up the North Ridge (taken from top of Foerster Ridge Pass).
Then continued down from Foerster Ridge Pass to Lake 10,217'.
Bivy at Lake 10,217'.
The smoke hit hard this night.
But the next morning dawned clear.
On that trip 2 years ago, I went around all the lakes in the upper basin of the Lyell Fork Merced.
So for this trip, I decided to go down from here, through the meadows for the first time.
Therefore, next day's agenda was to do some fishing and get back around to Harriet Lake.
After finding the trail down at 9,100' I followed it south, up the switchbacks, and then soon left it again to explore the meadow below Harriet.
This is at about 9,850'.
Continued to follow the creek up to Lake ~10,150'.
And eventually over to Harriet.
The ridge to the west of Harriet appeared to offer a nice place to spend the night, surrounded from Mount Florence to Mount Clark.
Next day's agenda was to explore the lakes between Harriet and Isberg Pass, and get back south of the park so that I could hike out early the following day.
Harriet Lake below Blush Peak.
Lake ~10,190'.
Lake ~10,010'.
Lake 10,217'.
Then cross-country, around the east side of Post Peak...
to Joe Crane Lake.
Next day's agenda was an early hike back to the Fernandez Trailhead.
I think a quick glance at the map would lead most to consider the Timber Creek Trail. But I was not aware that this trail remains unmaintained. Currently it is overgrown, destroyed by large avy debris, marked by conflicting cairns, and is really more of an obstacle than a trail. Anyone looking for the challenge of following old trails will enjoy. This picture looks back up at the Timber Creek drainage, just descended, with difficulty.
I'm happy for the blazes of Timber Creek, thanks for still showing the way.
- Klas
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2013 10:49AM by Klas.
