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4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:40 am
by BlueMtns
Our permit is in Sept and they sent us this information:

Travel at least four miles out Lyell Canyon before camping. Bears have been successful in getting food from backpackers in this area.


We start in Tuolumne Meadows, going to Ireland Lake before heading to Vogelsang - can anyone help pinpoint landmarks that would be considered '4 miles out' for camping the first night?

Thanks!
PS we have a bear canister, don't sleep where we eat, etc...

Re: 4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:16 am
by WanderingJim
The Nat Geo maps show the no camping zone ending at group of (unnamed) small lakes/ponds along the JMT about a mile before the trail junction that heads to Ireland Lake.

Re: 4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 10:40 am
by BlueMtns
Perfect - thanks WanderingJim! I don't have that map (yet).

Re: 4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 2:53 pm
by balzaccom
Yeah--I've always used that junction as a clear marker that I'm beyond the four miles. Camping gets better the further up the canyon you go.

Re: 4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 9:16 pm
by Phil
You're going to want to be at Ireland Creek before you look for sites (lots of them...good ones...first outside the 4 mile radius). I would overnight it there and blow off Ireland Lake for camping. The lake is windy and camping is sparse, exposed, and lousy. And yes, there are lots of bears in that area.

The JMT x Ireland Creek junction is your landmark. Impossible to miss. Easy hike from TM. Park in the Wilderness office lot. Mileage out from there is ~ 5.5 miles.

Re: 4 miles outside of Lyell Canyon?

PostPosted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 8:22 am
by BlueMtns
Great - thanks, Phil and balzaccom. That is very helpful.