My friend Don called me to say that he had won the lottery for the Yosemite High Sierra Camps and asked if I'd like to go with 7 other of his friends. Needless to say I jumped at the chance. My family has been visiting Yosemite my whole life. It's sad that so many in this world will never get a chance to explore this fantastic place
Words are inadequate to describe Yosemite’s high country. Massive granite peaks tower above ancient pine forests and tranquil lakes. Boulder-strewn rivers cut through the landscape, spilling across smooth granite slabs as they churn and plunge toward the valleys below. Occasionally a meadow appears with its carpet of grasses and wildflowers.
Yosemite National Park has 5 High Sierra Camps arranged in a 49-mile loop. Each camp is a day’s hike from at least two other camps. So starting from Tuolumne Meadows, you can complete the circuit in 6 days’ hiking. Camps vary in elevation from 7,800’ to 10,300’. As you can see from the itinerary below that we opted to stay an extra day at two camps. Each camp consists of a tent, a bed with a mattress, a wood stove and two pieces of wood. Anything else you need you must carry.
Breakfast and dinner are served family style and you can buy a box lunch if you wish. There are showers (cold) at a few camps if you're brave enough.
7/14 Drive to Yosemite - Stay at Camp Curry Tent Cabins in the valley
7/15 Hike to Glen Aulin (camp is near a Water Fall down in Hetch-Hetchy Valley)
7/16 Hike to May Lake (foot of highest mountain in Yosemite)
7/17 Lay Over Day at May Lake (hike the area - we did Mt. Hoffman)
7/18 Hike to Sunrise (sits on spectacular rock ledge overlooking meadow)
7/19 Hike to Merced Lake (can hike to back of Half Dome on way there)
7/20 Lay Over Day at Merced Lake (rest up for long climb to Vogelsong)
7/21 Hike to Vogelsang (highest camp, above tree line)
7/22 Hike back out to Tuolumne, Drive down to Wawona and stay at the Redwoods
The eight of us are ready to go!
The following are a collection of a few photos from our hikes. Others will be added later.
Bob with Half Dome in the background!
Bridalveil Falls
On our way to Glen Aulin camp
Good looking group!
We reached Glen Aulin & 0ur tent
Time to eat!
Glen Aulin Lake
On our way to our next camp - May Lake!
Bob on his way to May Lake.
This is a dusty dirty hike! Wash time.
Think stuff will dry overnight? No!
Half way up Mt. Hoffman.