Clark Range – Merced River, Yosemite NP

[Alex Wallace]

Vernal & Liberty Cap:

Illiloutte Creek:

Upper Merced Pass Lake:

Camp:

Lower Ottoway Lake:

Heading up (from the south) Red Peak Pass:

Red Peak Pass (looking south):

Looking east from RPP towards Minarets:

Pano looking up towards RPP from the north side:

Camp near Triple Peak Fork:

Triple Peak Fork:

Heading to Washburn:

Nice set of falls:

Washburn Lake:

Outlet of Merced Lake:

Camp near Echo Valley:

Half of a famous dome:

[Alex Wallace]

A few more:

 

 

 

[Alex Wallace]

 

 

 

[Alex Wallace]

[BlackHatGuy]

Nice shots Alex, looks like a great trip.

[jscott]

That Jeffrey Pine forest below Washburn and before Merced Lake is fantastic.

I used to go to that area and then up in a Northerly direction in the early spring for many years. People aren’t around at all in the spring! Except your trip went over Red Peaks Pass, which is no piece of cake when covered in snow. I love this country! Triple divide country in and around  what you hiked is very fine indeed. So is the trail that you followed. People are down on it because it’s not 12,000 foot moonscapesf–altho Reds Peak is pretty high. Personally, I like mixed country–that is, granite with biology–trees, animals, flowers, moss. Not just rocks.

It looks like you caught great weather and had a great trip. Thanks for the photos.

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks, fellas. This was a really fun trip. Although, we were hoping to extend it by one more night and go check out the headwaters of the Lyell Fork of the Merced, but my friend had obligations that required him back at home. I hope to check it out this year.

[jscott]

Alex: did you want to explore the headwaters from the Marie lake/donahue side…or from the “high route” trail that takes you to Rafferty creek and Vogelasang? The latter is very very nice and not well known…

[Alex Wallace]

The latter, but coming from Red Peak Pass heading north, then east across Triple Peak Fork of the Merced, up the canyon wall, and then heading north past Harriet Lake. Once we reach the Lyell Fork, step off the trail and follow it (loosely) upstream. Our return to the Valley would take us along the “high route” rim above Washburn Lake, dropping down at Lewis Creek, and onto Merced Lake.

[jscott]

Oops I meant Lewis Creek…

 

There’s a series of benches zig zagging to the left (west?) of the Lyell stream that gives easier access to the upper mountain than bushwhacking up the stream. The route is more obvious looking down from up top.

that’s a nice trip you have planned. The back side of Lyell high up is one of the best spots in the Sierra.

I’ve f0und  crossing the Lyell fork at the trail in early season to be dangerous. there’s a better crossing 1/4 mile up.

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks, jscott. I appreciate the route advice. I haven’t decided on a starting point for this year’s trip to the area, but I’m leaning towards Tuolumne Meadows (assuming it’s open) for easy logistics.

[Ben C]

Great photos. Looks like a fine trip.

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks, Ben.

[John Kays]

A wonderful photo report!! Where did enter/start the hike?

[Alex Wallace]

Thanks, John.

We started/ended in the Valley at Happy Isles TH. The “lollypop” loop started south to Illilouette Creek and Lower Merced Pass Lake. Then east over Red Peak Pass to the Triple Peak Fork of the Merced. From there we walked north past Washburn Lake. Now heading west past Merced Lake and stopping for the night at the far west end of Echo Valley. Our final morning we continued west along the Merced River, past Little Yosemite Valley, and back to Happy Isles (via JMT).

[John Kays]

Thank you Alex for the map as well. The photos are inviting and want to do something different and hike a little to the north this summer in late August or September. I would like to stretch out a bit too.

[Alex Wallace]

For sure.

There are so many options, both on and off trail, in Yosemite. I’ve always wanted to do an “extended” trip and use Tuolumne Meadows (PO, bear boxes, grill, etc.) as a resupply between the northern and southern half of the park.

I have 6 day trip planned for this summer out of Virginia Lakes into the Hoover Wilderness and canyons of northern Yosemite.

[Cameron M]

Wow, looks like July. The Clark range is wonderful.

[Author]

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