Backpack trip from Tuolumne Meadows Participants: Sarbajit Ghosal - group leader, Prasenjit Sarkar, Musafir (Rana Sircar) There are different choices available to backpackers. We decided on the short loop, going up to Vogelsang using Rafferty Creek Trail and then taking the Ireland Lake Trail to return to Tuolumne Meadows trail-head via John Muir Trail (Lyell Canyon Trail)." See link to Vogelsang High Sierra Trail. http://www.yosemitepark.com/Files/HSC-Trails-Map.pdf After spending the first night in Backpackers' Camp at Tuolumne Meadows we drove to the trailhead, parked and began our trek. Day-time temperatures were moderate during the trip, July 17-21. The nights were cold -- in the 40's. There were warnings about bears and the need to use bear-proof containers. Use of rope to hang bags of foodstuff from branches of trees was discouraged. We were informed by rangers that it did not deter bears. We observed the rules and had no encounter with bears. Two of us suffered from altitude problem soon after we began going up John Muir Trail. No headache or dizziness, but extreme fatigue and thirst which required frequent stops. Our progress was very slow. This despite the fact that I had taken Acetazolamide to prevent altitude sickness. Later, I found out that I was prescribed 125 mg tablets, not 250 mg which I had had taken on earlier treks. Sarbajit remained unaffected by altitude. But I decided to rest the next day when my companions went to try Vogelsang Peak. Took us more than 7 hours to reach Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. We pitched our tents and spent two nights there. Very scenic. Near lakes and surrounded by rocky peaks. We met backpackers who talked about good fishing. On the 3rd morning we broke camp and headed for Lyell Creek. Except for a steep downhill segment it was an easy hike. The altitude-related fatigue ceased to be a problem as we descended to lower elevation. Instead of continuing on to Tuolumne Meadows we decided on camping near the junction of Ireland Lake trail and Lyell Fork. It was a popular spot for campers. Next morning we headed back to the trailhead and arrived in mid-day. After a brief stop for lunch at Tenaya Lake, we drove to the Bay area, reaching home around 8 PM. Most of the photographs were taken by Sarbajit Ghosal with a Canon S95. At the trailhead, I At the trailhead, II Woman hiker with a good-size pack Group leader, SG, checking route After we take a right at the fork on to Rafferty Creek Trail to Vogelsang, the steady climb starts and lasts for about a couple of miles. Stopped alongside Rafferty Creek for lunch Before the fatigue hit us SG at the beginning of the uphill trail Steps cut into granite Prasenjit weighed down by pack In the eastern horizon are the reddish Mt. Dana, Mt. Gibbs and the whitish Mammoth Peak Met a family of four with an exchange student and a guide. The mom took our group photo. This is not a route to seek solitude! Reflection of Fletcher Peak in a pool at Tuolumne Pass (9992 ft) in the late afternoon sun The final mile to Vogelsang High Sierra Camp. Rocky but stretches of whitebark pines and lodgepole pines Fletcher peak and the moon in the setting sun from the backpackers' camp near Vogelsang High Sierra Camp (10,140 ft), 7.7 miles from the Tuolumne Meadows trail head High Sierra Camp tent cabins Vogelsang Peak at Sunset Alpen glow off Fletcher Peak Our tents in the foreground During day hike to Vogelsang Peak Emeric Lake on the left. Towards the left of center in the horizon are Half Dome and Clouds' Rest Clouds shaped like wings of a flying gull Vogelsang Lake Looking down at Vogelsang Lake from the trail to the peak Aborted attempt to scale the peak Here we are at an elevation of just over 11,000 ft Sarbajit, on the way down Vogelsang Pass Patches of snow at higher elevation Wild Flowers were not plentiful At the top of Vogelsang Pass (10,685 ft) looking down on Gallison Lake with Parson's Peak in the background View of Cathedral Range, Bernice Lake in the distance Heading back to camp site Back at camp. Fletcher Peak in the afternoon Fletcher Lake Indian Paintbrush alongside Fletcher Lake Sunset Sunrise Breakfast is over. Time to break camp Starting our hike to Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River, via the Ireland Lake Trail Beautiful Evelyn Lake Vast meadow between the trail and Evelyn Lake Leaving Evelyn Lake behind Stopped for lunch near Tarn 10,425 (yes, a lake with the altitude in its name!). The lake, not visible here, is at the bottom of the glaciated headwall Rest stop before tackling the steep descent At the beginning of a more than 1000 ft descent Very rocky downhill trail We camped near the junction of Ireland Lake Trail and Lyell Fork. A thunderstorm soon started and lasted for two hours. After the rain ended we came out of our tent for dinner Sunset through White Bark Pines Amelia Earhart Peak at 7:15 PM Time to break camp Lyell Fork flowing strong Back on John Muir Trail Lyell meadows with Kune Ridge to the right Sarbajit alongside Lyell Creek Again, this is not where one comes for solitude -- two parties can be seen ahead of us. Mostly flat trail all the way back to Tuolumne Meadows Back at the base of the "Lollypop" Loop Sarbajit near the end of the trail We stopped at Tenaya Lake before the drive home to the Bay Area. All good things come to an end. Comments Unknown — 2014-06-03 Thanks for the tour, I hope to do the same trip this July 13. Enjoyed the photos and the log. Thanks! Happy trails, L