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Boys trip to Yosemite

Posted on June 28, 2008 by: Traveler

  • There is plenty of parking here at the Tuolumne Meadow backcountry permits. Another parking choice would be the road leading to the stables closer to the store area.
  • The trail follows along Highway 120 only briefly before heading south and crossing some bridges over the Tuolumne River.
  • These twin falls can be heard from the trail (to the left), but not seen. They are only fifty feet off trail.
  • Not wanting soggy boots for the rest of the day, hikers help one another across a small drainage.
  • Booth Lake
  • Emeric Lake.
  • Meadow area past Emeric Lake heading toward Babcock Lake.
  • Al surveys all the skeeters at Babcock Lake.
  • Heading down to Merced Lake.
  • This swimming hole is the drainage flowing into Merced Lake from the east.
  • Backpackers camping area at Merced Lake High Sierra Camp.
  • Merced Lake.
  • Beginning of the Merced River.
  • Ancient tree alongside the trail heading down to Echo Valley from Merced Lake.
  • Black bear strolling along the trail in the burnt area close to the John Muir Trail junction.
  • Mule deer at the campsite 1/2 mile east of the Half Dome trail.
  • Last 400ft. of (elevation) gain along the Half Dome trail.
  • Nevada Fall.
  • Bridge just above the Emerald Pool that crosses over the Merced River.
  • Vernal Fall.

Closest City: Lee Vining
State: California
Country: United States

This was an approximately 36 mile backpacking trip over three days with my buddies Randy, Al, and Jeff. Starting in Tuolumne Meadow, we walked down to the Valley where Al's car was parked at the Happy Isle overnight parking area. On Day 1, we walked up the Rafferty Creek trail to Vogelsang H.S.C. but continued on to Emerick Lake. The mosquitos were MADDENING!!! My only saving grace (because I chose to sleep under the stars and not bring a tent) was a jacket and head net.  Day 2 brought us to the backpackers area of Merced Lake H.S.C. Such a difference in mosquitos, you could have thought the previous night was from a different trip altogether. We really enjoyed swimmimg in the river area that feeds into Merced Lake. On Day 3, we walked through Echo Valley to the Half Dome Trail; summited, then walked down to the Valley where our chariot awaited to take us back up to Tuolumne Meadow. GREAT trip, thanks for the invite Randy!

HIGHLIGHT: Seeing bears & deers & rattlesnakes; Oh my!

SPECIAL NOTE: Before heading back up to Tuolumne Meadow, we decided to eat at Degnan's (a pizza joint above the gift shop at the Yosemite Village) and had to wait 35 miutes in line...that's just to order, and another 45-60 minutes to get our first of three pizza's.  

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Related Activities:

Fly Fishing, Backpacking, Hiking, Long Distance Trekking

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Tags

Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadow, Meced Lake, High Sierra Camp, Half Dome, backpacking

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