Best time of year for Merced Lake trail?

[hiker97]

A buddy and I are thinking about possibly doing a Merced Lake trip from Glacier Point next summer. Our schedules could allow for around the second week of June, or the first week of August. I'm looking for input on this from those more experienced with this itinerary. Since the elevation is lower for that route (6000-7000') I'm thinking August may be kind of hot for that trip versus something in the 8-10k' range and June would provide more water features, but on the other hand don't want to get eaten alive by mosquitos. I know we'd have to be ready to make our reservations early in 2009 since those trailhead reservations are few in number and quite popular. Any thoughts? Thanks

[oakroscoe]

You'd definitely be alright on mosquitoes in early June. However, you'd be risking that enough snow has melted for you to make it. I'd guess that you'd probably be okay in early June, but that's no guarantee. You won't really know until the last minute. Good luck.

[hiker97]

I'm probably leaning toward August since my trips are generally with old friends who live in various locations, work vacations to coordinate, etc, and more of a "sure thing" works better for the group. All right, I realize this is a personal preference question, but is August too hot for this hike? I've really enjoyed hiking out of TM or down in Sequoia/KC that time of year , but this trail is about 1,000'-2,000' lower in elevation. Any opinions out there will be appreciated by our group.....thanks!

[bill-e-g]

You should be fine in early June as far as snow on the trail to Lake Merced.
The only issue would be it is possible that Glacier Point Road isn't open yet.
I'd recommend reserving Happy Isles to be certain.
Typically the snow level is about 8K on Memorial Day. So, there may
be some patches here and there but it should be ok.
As you mentioned the water will be spectacular in early June.

I wouldn't worry about the heat in August. After you get past Nevada
Falls the trail isn't incredibly strenuous and the scenery will have you
stopping anyway.

[goingyard]

I did that exact hike the second week of August last year. Like bill-e said when you get by the falls it heats up a little but past there it does cool off. I was very comfortable when we hiked. Shorts during the day and pants at night. The trail has several spots that are covered and you will see some excellent views. You will love the campsite at merced lake.

[Wickett]

I like to do that hike in September, the water is lower, but still flowing nicely. One advantage to that is you can strip down and slide down the cascades, its like a giant natural water slide. I would recommend stopping at Morraine Dome for the first night. Its not as crowded as Little Yosemite and the trail is flat once you pass little Yosemite, so its not too hard to get to. I went to Merced Lake in one day, I don't recommed it, you don't get to enjoy the hike as much.

[hiker97]

I was re-reading Wickett's post on Morraine Dome. One of my fellow backpacking buddies likes the sound of staying at LYV and Merced Lake so we can avoid the bear cannisters (lighten our load). But I do like the idea of getting away from the crowds via camping beyond LYV at Morraine Dome...how crowded is LYV anyway? I've stayed in Glen Aulin HSC area and Vogelsang - in both areas I found a remote enough campsite to not feel boxed-in like car camping, but photos I've seen of LYV are a little concerning to me on the crowds. Is it worth the bear can weight to stay beyond the designated areas?

[bill-e-g]

LYV is like car camping without the car...
I avoid it...
Not my idea of a backcountry experience... but if that is what you like???
Totally a personal perference.

What I would suggest is carry 1 can between the 2 of you. Just make sure
all your food fits in it beforehand. The first day need not fit since you'll
be eating it.
You could share a tent or just bring a rainfly and sleep under the stars.
If you really go over your stuff you probably can find the weight of the
can that you could share or just do without.
One person carries the tent.. the other the bear can. Only need 1 stove.
There's alot of info out there on lightening your load. Give some a try
and safe the bears (you probably know that a canister is required
everywhere in SEKI and Yosemite this year).
If you only go for a weekend then take a look at the Bare Boxer.
It's a full pound less than the larger models.
There are plenty of lighter weight packs out there too that are really
comfortable and can easily save you more weight.
(I use the Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian)

Moraine Dome area to camp is not huge so you still may be stuck next to
other campers. Moraine Dome itself is one of my favorite in the park.
I love the area from Moraine Dome to Echo Valley.
I have a couple favorite spots in there but they are close to 1/2 mile off
the trail... (the wife usually complains about that).

Depending on what you can do I'd try for Moraine Dome and if you don't
like that keep going into Echo Valley and find a spot by the bridges.

Have fun

[hiker97]

Thanks Bill-e-g for the reply and helping us avoid a disappointing crowded campground at LYV. I agree that backpacking should be a wilderness experience! I don't mind the bear can and agree there are lots of ways to lighten the load. If only the mileage were a little shorter on the Cathedral Lakes - Echo Creek - Merced Lake - Emeric/Vogelsang - TM loop, I'd just opt for that more remote route instead to experience Merced Lake. However we only have 4 days to do it and I know we won't be in adequate shape for the 9 mile plus 3,000' elevation gain days that are included in that route. (5 days would be ideal and very doable for us...)

[bill-e-g]

If you are going from GP to Merced Lake and back up GP... that is
about 30 miles.

If you start at Cathedral TH and end at the Permit Station in TM that
is about the same if you go past Babcock and Emerick.
If you are comfortable with xcountry you can go past Echo Lake
and cut some trail off... (but, yeah, you got the 3K punch out of Merced)

GP saves you some at the start of your trip but you pay for it at the end.
And there is a good uphill after Illilouette... so don't go with the idea
that it is all downhill. Wifey and I went to Starr King last year from GP
and Panorama and I forgot that it was anything but a flat trail along
Panorama.

Anyway, it's all good... and the Merced River Canyon around Bunnell is
spectacular...

Enjoy