Loop hike grand canyon of the Tuloumne

[Lorraine]

I was interested in this hike, but I am wondering if the I go from TM via Matterhorn and Rodgers, if I can break up the elevation loss into two days. 5600 ft drop seems more than I could handle in one day.

Anyone know this route well, is there good camping somewhere between Rodgers Lake and Pate Valley?


Will be doing two 6-7 day loops end of August - early September!! Have seen the suggested loop via Cathedral- Merced - Ireland - Lyell, and it looks great. Also considering Lyell Fork- Edziza - and back via Mono/ Parker or just an out and back from Lyell. Not used to the high elevations so don't know what's too ambitious. Length of time out will be limited by getting all the food in a Bear Vault! but we pack pretty tight, dehydrating our own food.

Any tips or suggestions? Mainly like to stay away from the crowds and see a lot of country but average 8-9 miles a day / average is probably reasonable for a 56 year old gal. Lots to factor in!!

[bill-e-g]

I guess what is "good camping"?

To me it is a flat enough spot to sleep on with a nice view.

If you camp at Smedberg one day I guess you could the go past
Rodgers Mdw the next and before it gets off the river find a nice
spot there. We've camped there a couple times... one time
found "the" spot... went back the nxt time and spent an hour
trying to find it again .. but couldn't... so found another nice
flat spot ... you will prob see this on the east side of the trail...

Another option to to drop another 900 ft. to Table Lake area.
I personally love Table Lake... but... don't yell at me if u go
there and hate it. The people I go with for reasons unknown
to me poo poo it.

There is a spring at the trail Jct. Rodgers/Table. I haven't camped
there but you could probably find something nice.

The other spot I've camped a number of times is the lakes you'll see
on the map n of the trail just before you dump 75 delicious switchbacks
and get close to Puite crk. You may have some difficulty finding them
and be swearing at me if you try too. Getting to the eastern one
is not simple and I don't recommend it. It has great view into GCT though.

So what am I saying? I'd recommend below Rodgers Mdw...
and then the next day just take your time.. take it slow... have fun...

[Lorraine]

That's great. Yes, what I really needed to know is do we have any decent camping options to break up the big descent. I love to scout around looking for a spot to enjoy.

(Now you have me intrigued about Table Lake of course... we may go there but I promise not to complain if we don't take to it)

The trip sounds wonderful so I am happy to know that we have the option to do it. It will be just after Labour Day that we go. Just put in my permit request for the first trip up Lyell over to Ansel Adams... fingers crossed we get that for Aug 24 or 25.

Thanks Bill-e-g I've read a lot of your highly insightful posts in this forum. And what a great resource to have the forum to plan a trip with the help of all these experienced Yosemite lovers. Lorraine