Yosemite TR, Tuolumne to Vogelsang, lots of pics 56k warning

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

So these are a bit late, but I've been laz....err busy. So for the fourth this year, six of us decided to head deep into Yosemite and it was nothing short of spectacular. I did a bit of research on some forums, talked to a few that have been in the alpine (of Yosemite) before, and decided on Rafferty Creek trail out of Tuolumne (To-all-O-me) Meadows.

We headed up to Fletcher Lake near the High Sierra Camp at Vogelsang. The High Sierra camps are a series of canvas tents that you can book like a hotel. They'll pack up all your gear, cook you food and you can just concentrate on local day hikes. To be honest not a bad way to experience the backcountry if you don't want to do it all yourself. But, I love backpacking so we did it all ourselves. Enough with the babble, let's look at some pictures.

Tuolumne River at Tuolumne Meadows

Up Rafferty Creek trail

A look back down the trail after we start to gain some altitude, my wife Renee and our friend Qali

Fletcher Peak

Fletcher Lake

City boy Jay catches his first fish. He caught it about 50yds behind where he is standing here and came running up to me "I caught a fish, what do I do with it, I don't know what to do". It was pretty comicle.

A view to the north with our backs to the lake

All three lakes we went to had spectacular fishing, so each night we got to enjoy a backcountry fish fry.

Part of our provisions included (a fifth each) Aberlour A'Bunadh Single Malt Cask Strength Scotch, Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, and some Grey Goose Vodka. They don't allow fires above 9,000ft so something needs to keep you warm at night.

Camp the first night

Standing around cooking dinner Bambi wanted to see what we were doing, he came right though our camp.

Last light over Fletcher Peak

At High Sierra Camp

More HSC as we are on our way out an over Vogelsang Pass toward Bernice Lake

On our way out of HSC and over Vogelsang Pass toward Bernice Lake

Vogelsang Lake, the peak to the left of the picture is the side of Fletcher Peak in previous pictures.

This next section was well above the tree line

A look back down onto Vogelsang Lake, the backside of Fletcher Peak is to the right.

Once we got to Vogelsang Pass, our view opened up to an amazing valley with a view that was breathtaking (our destination in view to the right).

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Lake Bernice in the distance

A look to our right down the valley

A look to our left

The crew

Dropping off from the pass, next stop 1,000ft below

Bernice was a true alpine lake, the background was gigantic peaks of granite heading straight up to 12,000ft out of the lake. Each of the lakes on our trip had their unique character, Bernice was was beautiful for the magnitude of the views surrounding it.

Bernice had fish, lots of fish
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h259/jryoung_38/IMG_0220.jpg

A view with our backs to the lake

Chicks who fish are hot

crappy framing, but you get the idea

Did I mention there was lots of fish?

So the next day we retraced our steps back up Vogelsang Pass, which required chanelling our inner mule, it was steep, but we made it. Our destination was Booth Lake which was close to Fletcher, but just down in a little valley.

Heading down towards High Sierra Camp

Looking toward Yosemite Valley, just to the leftside of the picture you can see Half Dome. Next year I want hike from here to the valley.

Camp at Booth Lake, you can see how we are down in a little valley with a view back up toward Fletcher Peak.

Booth Lake and Vogelsang Peak

Since this site is 98% dudes I'll throw in a few ladies

Rocks near Booth

In Summary it was an excellent trip, three unique lakes, awesome fishing. The only dissapointment was not seeing a bear, we figured with fish guts and bones near our camp we would get one close, but we weren't so lucky. It was my first time in the Yosemite wilderness and I can't wait to get back.

Dragonlady8 · Black Widow Joined: 27 Aug 2004 Posts: 9198

Nice pics.
So who had the lovely job of fish gutter? Laughing

Personally I'd pass on seeing a bear unless I was in an urban assault vehicle.

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

My wife and I did most of the gutting and cleaning, the fish are pretty small so while tedious it moves pretty quick. The biggest pain is having to walk half way around the lake to get far enough away incase a bear wants to come an lick the rocks.

lcap · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 10973 City: Homeless

WOW!!! Nothing like hiking in the pristine Alpine Lakes areas! Something so soothing and peaceful about it. Also love hanging out on the rocks at night, without a light for hundreds of miles to look at the stars.

BUT, trust me on this, coming across a bear really isn't as exciting as it's made out to be before you meet them up close in their kitchen.

Surprised they don't have designated camping spots in the Alpine Wilderness area to minimize the human impact.

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

NICE....perfect documentary. It makes me want to start hiking....well, in hike from my truck to my tent sort of way...... Wink

The fish fry is great.

What is the trench on the right of your friend showing his first fish?

No fires....are you kidding me.... I would have been in bed no later than 45 minutes after dark.....

freerider4 · Posted: Oct 28, 2007 7:40 am Post subject:

jryoung no bears. I was backpacking in yosemite for 2 weeks and probably saw about an average of 2 bears day. If you ever have time you have to do the hike up to clouds rest and camp on the summit, nothing can describe going to bed at night and waking up in the morning.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Oct 28, 2007 8:52 am Post subject:

beautiful. I miss backpacking, i haven't done it for years. I was lucky enough to get to do 70 miles of the appalachian trail and about 65 mile of philmont scout ranch in new mexico. I love spending all that time away from everything, and just enjoying cool mornings outside your tent with some coffee on a camp stove.

freerider4 · Posted: Oct 28, 2007 9:53 am Post subject:

LakeIolaLuke I have heard nothing but great things about Philmont. My cousin was a ranger there and said it was beautiful hiking.

LakeIolaLuke · Posted: Oct 28, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:

freerider4, oh man its awesome hiking weather there in the summer is perfect. a little chilly during the night, but perfect in the day.

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

awesome pics!

Yosemite + surrounding area = beautiful.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

<-------- Jealous.

Those pics are absolutely beautiful. I HAVE TO GET OUT THERE. Thanks, great pics.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

So do they allow any type of firearm or pepper spray for bear repellent? After my attack....I would be nervous as hell. Being dragged around by a bear is not soon forgot! Awesome pics though...looks a a hell of a time.

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

Corporate · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 10:10 am Post subject:

Dave W · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:

Wow. Thanks for sharing the awesome photos of your trip. Haven't hiked very seriously since Philmont, but your photos make me want to go again with my wife.

jt09 · Ladies Man Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 22083 City: Austin

I'm no big fan of walking around in the middle of nowhere, but that looks freakin awesome!

oshensurfer · Posted: Oct 29, 2007 11:23 am Post subject:

jryoung, Dude. Aweome pics. Looks like an incredible time. We used to go hiking in desolation quite a bit before kids. I love the feeling of bing isolated like that. So peaceful and refreshing to the spirit.

mcfatty · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 725 City: Cookeville

This maybe a stupid question but do/did they stock those lakes? I guessing the fish aren't there naturally.

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin

mcfatty, a lot of lakes get stocked naturally...fish eggs get sucked up into clouds, then rain into lakes were they hatch.

mcfatty · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 725 City: Cookeville

Thanks D$. Your knowledge is sometimes astonishing. Laughing