Re: Clouds Rest From Merced Lake

We are doing eastern loop of HSCs this year. Tuolumne Meadow, Vogelsang, Merced Lake (3 nights), Sunrise, Tuolumne Meadow - one night each, except the three nights in Merced.

(1) We'd love to get to Clouds Rest one way or the other. It looks too long for a day hike from Merced and we don't have the time to do day hike from Sunrise, so we were thinking of doing it on the way from Merced Lake to Sunrise as a "side trip". First question, is it a ridiculous "side trip" (elevation? distance? from JMT at Sunrise Creek) added on to the hike to Sunrise HSC?

(2) Second question -- if we take Lewis Creek route from Vogelsang to Merced, is Emeric Lake a worthy day trip from Merced Lake? If not, with two full days in Merced, any other suggestions (10 miles round trip or so?)

Thank you.

1) It may not be as terrible as one might think... I'm flattening things out a bit here...
mainly b/c the usual route to Sunrise HSC from Merced is via Echo Creek trail...
which is 9.5 miles and 2500 ft. gain.
That way is almost all up... no undulations... really... other than the drop into
Long Meadow area on way back south to the HSC

Taking Forsyth trail and up to Clouds and back via Sunrise Lakes is about
16 miles... 2700 ft. climb to top of Clouds... and then a bit up and down with
a very approx gain of about 800 ft. over Sunrise Mtn area..

Definitely do-able... but as they say... YMMV

2) Go up Merced to Washburn and poke around... go to outlet of Washburn
Last time was there... I really thought the area by where Red Peak Fork hits the
Merced was just something special... I may have just been feeling it ... YMMV

Go down Merced to Bunnell switchers and back... Amazing granite polish and classic Yosemite

3) Have fun

That's my 2 dollas worth (and tanks for the Love)

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Emeric Lake is definitely a beautiful lake but so is that whole area.

Two weeks ago, I came down Lewis Creek from Lake Evelyn. Vogelsang Lake, the pass, the little tarn near the top of the pass, the view across the pass, the view of Gallison and Bernice lakes and hiking through that incredible meadow made that trail something really special.
I wish I was there right now!

I'd like to know what YMMV stands for?

Quote
cathycsr
I'd like to know what YMMV stands for?

Something that was often used in car ads: Your Mileage May Vary.

Given some of the signs in Yosemite, your mileage may definitely vary!

You gotta go to Washburn from Merced. Really love that lake. Wife and I had the whole lake to ourselves for several hours one afternoon two summers ago. We brought lunch and a blanket, books and towels. A great day!

Thanks for the responses! We'll be sure to do as many as possible. Not too sure our legs will take Clouds Rest this trip from your descriptions!

I wouldn't worry too much... I was gonna post yesterday that the Echo Creek trail is quite a bit more scenic overall imo.
Well.. my additional comment was something like ...
One you hit the JMT and start heading up The Forsyth Trail... the views become more limited
and you will probably be asking yourself why you went this way...

btw... Emeric is a 2K climb from Merced Lake. The nicest views are from the areas above it...
which adds more...

Something like this:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/read.php?3,65098,65131#msg-65131

Have fun (but def. go check out Washburn)

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So it's better to hit Emeric Lake on the way from Vogelsang to Merced Lake via Fletcher Creek route? We were discussing Fletcher Creek route vs Lewis Creek.

Thanks again.

If could only do one I'd probably pick Lewis Creek. If it's the better of the two is up for debate.

Have fun

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Our group really liked hiking from Vogelsang to Merced Lake via Lewis Creek trail (with side trip to Bernice Lake.) Our group really did not like hiking from Merced Lake to Vogelsang via Fletcher Creek trail.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2013 06:40PM by Paris92.

Obliviously that begs the question of what your group would of thought if they went the opposite direction...
The climb up past Babcock Dome... from Merced Lake to Babcock Lake turnoff... is stellar...
and the meadow and dome east of Emeric is also exceptionally beautiful... I can only think that
the climb up had a huge factor in their like...

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Might have had something to do with it, but Lewis was more stunning scenery IMO.