Yosemite High Country TR
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:51 pm
Well I have gone to the western part of Yosemite for the last 2 years as my warm up
trips, so it was time to go back to the valley again.
First let me say for those of you who write off this time of the year because of the
snow or that it is the so called in-between season don't know what there missing!
First of all it is true that there is a lot of snow in some areas especially above 8500 ft
but the creeks are flowing, raging in some cases, unlike in the winter months.
Also the days are much longer and warmer, though can get cold (upper 20's)in the morning
at higher elevations before sunrise due some what to the refrigeration effect of the snow.
Anyways I took off Thursday morning from the Bay Area and made it to the trailhead around
10:30 am.
Spent the first nIght at Merced Lake.
In Echo Valley I had my usual rattler siting, the usual flooding was reduce to a few puddles
that did not warrant removal of my boots as my previous hikes thru here had.
Even the trail at the western end of Merced Lake which is flooded this time of the year
was dry.
Bunnell Cascade was very unimpressive because of the low water of the Merced, with the
Toulumne being even lower this will probably not be a good year for checking out
Waterwheel or LeConte Falls.
I do not care much for Merced Lake, its not a pretty lake or area, Washburn Lake is much
better if you want a lake as a destination.
There were more people at Merced Lake than I have ever see this time of the year, not a
crowd buy an means, just more than usual(this was the last day with human contact, not even
a footprint till the last night in LYL).
The next day it was up to Bernice Lake.
The trail was pretty snow free up to the Babcock Lake junction from where the snow
cover was a little heavier and got more consistent near the creek coming from Florence Lake.
Bernice Lake and Gallison Lake were frozen but most above 9000 ft were, which gives
the landscape a whole new look which I very much appreciated as a backpacker and as a
photographer.
The next day it was over Vogelsang Pass which was the only place I needed crampons
and my ice axe.
It was cool to see the High Sierra Camp devoid of people and snowed in.
Then I headed down toward Emeric Lake where I jumped the ridge into the Echo Creek
drainage.
There was total snow coverage from Vogelsang Passes northern side all the way to Nelson Lake
where I spent the next night.
The views of the Cockscomb, Unicorn and especially Matthes Crest from the top of the
ridges were awe inspiring and very unique with the snowy terrain!
I followed Echo Creek down a ways and climbed the ridge and down into the Cathedral Drainage
the next day.
This is the only place where I had a short 5.2-5.3 pitch, which was made easier by the
little nubs on the rocks in this area, but still with a pack it was a little unnerving.
Cathedral Creek was booming and no snow until I got near where the trail turned west
towards the JMT were it was covered again by 4-5 feet of snow again.
I stayed at Sunrise High Sierra Camp the next night which was fun.
The meadow was completely snowed in with 5-6 feet of snow but behind the Rangers Station
there was a dry spot big enough for my tent.
The view east, south and north(from the middle of the meadow) were outstanding, especially
the easterly views where the peaks reflected in the parts of the thawed out creek that runs
through the meadow, wow!
I left this place with a heavy heart vowing I'll be back next May, it was the highlight of the
trip (including Gallison Lake area).
Funny, you would not catch me near a High Sierra Camp when there open, but with snow all
around it turned this place into some magical Shangri-la that will stay etched into my mind
for quite some time.
Then it was down the JMT which had snow on it till it turns toward Half Dome where it was
dry and hot.
I stayed at LYV the last night hoping to end my trip with a bear sighting but all I got was dear.
Pic's will be on the way if Flickr and Yahoo get there act together.
trips, so it was time to go back to the valley again.
First let me say for those of you who write off this time of the year because of the
snow or that it is the so called in-between season don't know what there missing!
First of all it is true that there is a lot of snow in some areas especially above 8500 ft
but the creeks are flowing, raging in some cases, unlike in the winter months.
Also the days are much longer and warmer, though can get cold (upper 20's)in the morning
at higher elevations before sunrise due some what to the refrigeration effect of the snow.
Anyways I took off Thursday morning from the Bay Area and made it to the trailhead around
10:30 am.
Spent the first nIght at Merced Lake.
In Echo Valley I had my usual rattler siting, the usual flooding was reduce to a few puddles
that did not warrant removal of my boots as my previous hikes thru here had.
Even the trail at the western end of Merced Lake which is flooded this time of the year
was dry.
Bunnell Cascade was very unimpressive because of the low water of the Merced, with the
Toulumne being even lower this will probably not be a good year for checking out
Waterwheel or LeConte Falls.
I do not care much for Merced Lake, its not a pretty lake or area, Washburn Lake is much
better if you want a lake as a destination.
There were more people at Merced Lake than I have ever see this time of the year, not a
crowd buy an means, just more than usual(this was the last day with human contact, not even
a footprint till the last night in LYL).
The next day it was up to Bernice Lake.
The trail was pretty snow free up to the Babcock Lake junction from where the snow
cover was a little heavier and got more consistent near the creek coming from Florence Lake.
Bernice Lake and Gallison Lake were frozen but most above 9000 ft were, which gives
the landscape a whole new look which I very much appreciated as a backpacker and as a
photographer.
The next day it was over Vogelsang Pass which was the only place I needed crampons
and my ice axe.
It was cool to see the High Sierra Camp devoid of people and snowed in.
Then I headed down toward Emeric Lake where I jumped the ridge into the Echo Creek
drainage.
There was total snow coverage from Vogelsang Passes northern side all the way to Nelson Lake
where I spent the next night.
The views of the Cockscomb, Unicorn and especially Matthes Crest from the top of the
ridges were awe inspiring and very unique with the snowy terrain!
I followed Echo Creek down a ways and climbed the ridge and down into the Cathedral Drainage
the next day.
This is the only place where I had a short 5.2-5.3 pitch, which was made easier by the
little nubs on the rocks in this area, but still with a pack it was a little unnerving.
Cathedral Creek was booming and no snow until I got near where the trail turned west
towards the JMT were it was covered again by 4-5 feet of snow again.
I stayed at Sunrise High Sierra Camp the next night which was fun.
The meadow was completely snowed in with 5-6 feet of snow but behind the Rangers Station
there was a dry spot big enough for my tent.
The view east, south and north(from the middle of the meadow) were outstanding, especially
the easterly views where the peaks reflected in the parts of the thawed out creek that runs
through the meadow, wow!
I left this place with a heavy heart vowing I'll be back next May, it was the highlight of the
trip (including Gallison Lake area).
Funny, you would not catch me near a High Sierra Camp when there open, but with snow all
around it turned this place into some magical Shangri-la that will stay etched into my mind
for quite some time.
Then it was down the JMT which had snow on it till it turns toward Half Dome where it was
dry and hot.
I stayed at LYV the last night hoping to end my trip with a bear sighting but all I got was dear.
Pic's will be on the way if Flickr and Yahoo get there act together.