High Sierra Topix

3 more class days...
While getting ready, dreamin' and plannin', I happened across an old Backpacker mag article on Obelisk Lake above (south) of Merced Lake...YNP. It mentions an old Cavalry trail.
June 2007...page 69 or Yosemiteexplorer.com/trails/obelisk-lake

Anybody been up there? Article mentions crossing the Merced at several possible places, and various routes to get up there.
Any beta?
fishing?...(nothing in Beck's, but article says stocked long ago/)

thanks...markskor

Sounds like you'll need to give us a scouting report when you get back. It certainly looks like an interesting destination on the topo.

Yeah, it's been a 'someday' destination of mine for years. I'd love to do a Clark Range loop modified to fit in Adair and Obelisk Lakes.

I swear I saw a fairlly detailed description of the cavalry trail somewhere (I think it goes east from Illilouette Creek via Starr King Meadow, crossing a pass just south of Quartzite Peak), but now I can't find it. Dang. That Yosemite Explorer trip report is pretty good, though, for the route from Merced Lake.

My concern is crossing over the Merced - can get a bit gnarly, the site shows a few long trees over a raging river, but...
Expect to cross over ~ July 20th.
If coming down from Washburn, how soon do I cross....hate those long Manzanita stretches. Do I cross up high...or at the Ranger Station, or do I go all the way to Merced Lake, and up the slab walls?
I'll let you know I guess.
(God I love these kind of decisions) lol

The good news (well, the bad news in the bigger picture, but still) is that this is turning out to be a pretty dry year. July 20 should be more like early-to-mid August in a 'normal' year.

If I can find out where I read about the other trail, I'll let you know.

Tom,
Thanks...just got back from REI...map now in hand. With the description and a map...looks easy...well, at least do-able...at least now I can follow the directions.
If you find out more about the Cavalry Trail, etc..., drop me a PM.
Thanks
Mark

Hi Markskor

I've had some difficulties logging on to HST for the last 2 weeks but the problem
has resolved its self.
I've visited the areas mentioned.
Yes you can get across the Merced River at about 3/4 miles north of the Ranger Station
approx where the trail comes close to the river(check on map Tom Harrison).
There were some trees that could be used to cross, I did this route 10 years ago, but
with the low water levels you should be able to cross without them safely.
Yes there is an old calvary trail to follow(on and off) also some cairns.
You will have some manzanita(bushwacking) to get through till you get to some
open slabs and it will open up for a little while.
Obelisk Lake is nice and the small lake above it has a cool cascade draining into it
from above(worth visiting).
From Obelisk Lake eastern side head north and go around the ridge that ends northeast
of the lake. If your lucky you'll be treated to a nice display of Indian Paintbrush at Obelisk.
Adair lake is okay and not the best place to camp, Id recommend jumping the next ridge
to the Gray Peak Fork to the Lake 9705 area which is very pretty and picturesque and
then follow the GPF down to the Merced River or up to the Red Peak Pass area.

Thanks Mav,
Here's the problem...can either do this two ways:
1) as a day, "side trip" thing - no fishing...leave packs below, visit Obelisk, Adair, 9705, and return...or
2) overnight it ( with packs} and fish the evening rise...
It all depends on, if there are fish there, and if so, which lake would you recommend.
Have an extra spare day to kill...lol
Mark

Sorry Markskor I can only recommend the lakes from a photographers prospective
since I do not fish.
I've heard you can get up the slabs above Merced Lake starting from just upriver from the
High Sierra Camp's water intake by following the black pipe to a logjam to cross the river.
The route is said to be much easier than bushwacking to Obelisk, if your comfortable
with slabbing(if I ever revisited I'd try this route for fun).
Head up the slabs to the forested saddle west of Peak 9482, halfway between Merced and
Obelisk Lake.
Contour the canyon on its western side from the saddle which leads to the lake.