Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

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VanMarmot
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Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by VanMarmot » July 24th, 2013, 5:36 pm

When the loved one tweaked a disc in her cervical spine our ability to do multi-day backpacks pretty much came to an end. I despaired at ever being able to share with her the High Sierra – where I had spent almost all of the 80s backpacking and climbing. Then it dawned on me (duh!) that the Yosemite High Sierra Camps (HSC) offered us another chance. With these, you carry just your personal gear – which I can do for both of us – and the camps supply tents and food. There are a total of 5 camps and the ideal trip is to hike them in a continuous loop. But access is limited by a lottery (which this year had 3900 applications for 900 spaces), so we weren’t able to score a loop but did score the highest (Vogelsang), lowest (Merced Lake), and most remote (both) of the 5 camps. So we made it a combined backpack & road trip

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by first visiting the old mining town of Bodie (now a CA state park),

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then doing an acclimatization hike to Fern Lake above the June Lake Valley,

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and then wandering out to see the Mono Lake tufas.

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Finally, we got to Yosemite National Park,

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where we did another little warm-up hike to the 12,900’ level on Mt. Dana,

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with views of Mono Lake to the E (smoke from wildfires in Nevada obscured the view),

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and the northern Sierra and Yosemite to the W.

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We spent our first night in the Park at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge,

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so we could practice not sleeping on the ground.

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Next morning, we were off to Vogelsang Camp on the JMT,

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across the Tuolumne River,

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up Rafferty Creek toward Fletcher Peak,

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and on to the camp at its base,

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where, after a hearty dinner (cooked by someone else), we settled in for the night.

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Next morning,

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we headed toward the Merced Lake camp via Vogelsang Pass and Lewis Creek.

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Halfway down, we passed where Florence Creek cascades down over bare granite in a style so typical of the Sierras.

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Further down, we started seeing Half Dome in the distance, with Merced Lake in the foreground.

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And then, hot, dusty, and a little tired, we arrived in camp.

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We spent two nights here, just hanging out and enjoying the Sierras. We did get motivated to visit the lake

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but, after that, inertia won out and we waited for dinner and moonrise.

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Then we had to get back up to Vogelsang – 7.5 mi and 3000’ above us.

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To make a partial loop and for a change of scenery, we returned via Fletcher Creek, which is bordered by huge granite domes and cliffs,

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with the creek running down a long series of granite stairsteps.

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One of the most amazing features of this trail is Emeric Meadow, which stretches level for about a mile at 9300’.

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We reached Vogelsang camp in time to enjoy a dip in Fletcher Lake,

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a passing thunderstorm, and the close of the day.

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Next morning,

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we very reluctantly bid farewell to Vogelsang, Fletcher Pk, and the High Sierra Camps,

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and headed home.

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mjuliana
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by mjuliana » July 24th, 2013, 6:45 pm

Awesomeness! The pictures are great. Having grown up in CA, the Sierra's still have a pull on me.
Thanks,
Mike J

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retired jerry
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by retired jerry » July 24th, 2013, 6:54 pm

I keep tossing around in my head whether to do a Sierras trip or just stay in Oregon/Washington. It takes 2 days to drive there and 2 days to drive back, but I have the time. There are places in Oregon and Washington that are pretty much just as nice...

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Crusak
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by Crusak » July 24th, 2013, 8:11 pm

That looks like it was a really special trip for you guys. I like that style of hiking/camping. It'd go over great with my family, if you removed the hiking/camping part. :lol: But for me that would be a lot of fun.

Was there anything about the Yosemite High Sierra Camps that you didn't like? Anything you would do differently next time you go?

Great pictures VM. Looks like you found plenty of bluebird days down there!
Jim's Hikes

Solvitur Ambulando

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retired jerry
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by retired jerry » July 24th, 2013, 8:16 pm

Yeah, looking at your pictures makes it difficult for me to decide whether to do it

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rainrunner
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by rainrunner » July 24th, 2013, 8:24 pm

Jerry, yes, we have similar scenery here, but the vastness in the Sierras is so vast.
This trip report makes Kevin homesick as his dad was a ranger and he was forced to live in Yosemite as a young boy.
Lucky score on a great trip.
Ann
The mountains are calling and I must go.
John Muir

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Crusak
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by Crusak » July 24th, 2013, 8:27 pm

rainrunner wrote:Jerry, yes, we have similar scenery here, but the vastness in the Sierras is so vast.
This trip report makes Kevin homesick as his dad was a ranger and he was "forced" to live in Yosemite as a young boy.
Lucky score on a great trip.
Ann
Ha, that would have been a dream 'prison' for me as a young guy. :) Nice.
Jim's Hikes

Solvitur Ambulando

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Peder
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by Peder » July 24th, 2013, 8:59 pm

Beautiful and fascinating landscape! You two are really roughing it compared to Roy! :o
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…

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Chase
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by Chase » July 24th, 2013, 9:12 pm

Always wondered what the inside of those white tents looked like.

And Jerry, seriously, you should plan a nice long trip there next summer. It's amazing.

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retired jerry
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Re: Yosemite High Sierras 13/22-Jul-2013

Post by retired jerry » July 25th, 2013, 6:00 am

Maybe after Labor Day?

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