Hoover Wilderness & Yosemite NP

[Alex Wallace]

North Peak dominating the skyline while looking west across Saddlebag Lake:

Peering into McCabe basin from the top of the ridge (11,500 ft. elev.) that separates it from 20 Lakes Basin. This is about 1,500 ft. south on the ridge from the proper McCabe Pass and definitely not the way to cross.

Looking southeast from McCabe Pass out over 20 Lakes Basin:

Descending the west side of McCabe Pass (11,200 ft. elev.) with Upper McCabe Lake in view.

Campsite on the northeast end of Upper McCabe Lake. Hazy skies from nearby Rodgers and Red fires.

Fishing upper McCabe Lake.

Sheppard Crest in alpenglow.

Looking up the north side of “Don’t Be A Smart” Pass.

Working my way down towards the sandy north shore of Roosevelt Lake.

Sandy (decomposed granite) north shore of Roosevelt Lake.

Sunset at Upper Young Lake with Ragged Peak.

The lowest of Young Lakes (9,879 ft. elev.) with Ragged Peak reflection.

Traveling south along the Young Lakes Trail towards Tuolumne Meadows with the Cathedral Range in the background.

[Lowell k]

Great pictures!

How was the fishing? Any suggestions?

Lowell

[DWR D]

Very Nice !

[Casey Bowden]

Most excellent!

How did you get back to the Saddlebag Trailhead?

Is that a Big Sky tent?

[Alex Wallace]

Thank you, all.

Fishing was decent except for Roosevelt Lake which now has gill nets. Wind was a challenge most of the trip.

We hitchhiked from near the Tuolumne Meadows store back to our vehicle that was parked at Saddlebag Lake. The current construction on Tioga Road created a weird ebb and flow of traffic, which made it that much more difficult. It took us over an hour with our thumbs out to finally land a ride. Backup plan was to grab the east bound YARTS from the Tuolumne Meadows store and beg the driver to let us out at the Saddlebag Lake turnoff and walk the final 2 miles up the bumpy road to the trailhead parking.

Yes, that is a Big Sky tent. Specifically, it is a 1-person Mirage in silnylon, which weighs just under 2 pounds. It’s technically a single wall tent, but both sides are mesh with decent sized vestibules so it behaves more like a double wall tent. I’ve owned it for a few years now, but rarely use it. Honestly, I probably would have been better off with my usual mid, but I thought I’d knock the dust off this sucker. It worked fine, but I may end up selling it. The mid does everything I need at a lighter weight and the freestanding aspect of this tent doesn’t really sway me any longer.

 

[Roger Caffin]

Roosevelt Lake which now has gill nets.
I ask out of genuine ignorance.
Is that even legal?

Cheers

[Alex Wallace]

Yes, it is legal. The gill nets were put there by the National Park Service as part of their high-elevation aquatic restoration project. Historically lakes and streams above 4,000 ft. elev. were naturally free of fish so they’re trying to restore them to their natural state. You can read more about here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/aquaticrestoration.htm

[Roger Caffin]

Ah, I see.

I remember a very hot day somewhere in the European Alps, coming to a large lake and deciding to have a wash/swim. There were little galaxia fish in the lake – native to the lakes I think. The water was very clear and very low in nutrients, so the fish were very small: 1″ – 2″ long. As we sat on a rock washing our feet (agh – the pollution!), the fish came up and nibbled at the dead skin cells on our feet. Must have been a treat for them.

Cheers

[Author]

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