Lyell Canyon

[mikecain3]

I am doing Lyell canyon to Agnew meadows later this week. We have three and half days to go the 30 miles so plenty of time. I'm looking for campsite recommendations.

The first day is a travel day so we don't start until 3 pm or so. Does anyone have a site recommendation for somewhere in the 4 to 6 mile range from the trailhead. The next night would be close to Donohuo pass. Not sure about fires at that elevation. We would like a fire so a recommendation for a site on either side of Donohoo and below the fire limit elvation. (What is the elvation limit on fires in that area?) The third night would be at Thousand island lake.

Thanks

[dan]

There are many places to camp along Lyell Canyon. Usually the stream is along the left (east) side of the trail and good campsites are found just in the trees on the right (west) side of the trail.

No fires about 9600' in Yosemite National Park, so that definitely rules out the area around Donahue Pass. And most of Lyell Canyon.
Here's the rules: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm

On the other side, you can camp at Waugh Lake and Thousand Island Lake. I think Thousand Island Lake is not to be missed for anything and I would make a big effort to spend one night there. From Thousand Island, you can get out to Agnew Meadows easily in a day (going downhill).

On the other side (south) of Donahue Pass, in the National Forest (and outside Yosemite National Park) campfires are not allowed above 10000' feet, and are not allowd at Thousand Island or Waugh Lake.

[apeman]

As you hike up Lyell Canyon look for the obvious rock landslide on the ridge to the left about 4 miles in. Camping is not legal until you pass that slide. I'm fairly certain fires are legal at Thousand Island but wood is extremely scarce and I would not recommend it. Be sure to use existing fire rings. Lyell canyon has heavy bear activity. I like to camp part way up the canyon as you first start climbing up towards Donahue pass to the right of the trail. There are a couple of good spots up there with lots of wood but the stream is 100 yards away on the opposite side of the trail. Really no other good camping options until you get over the pass. Between Donahue and Island passes is great camping along the stream but no fires up there.

[dan]

Campfires are prohibited at Thousand Island Lake:
"No campfires at Thousand Island, Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Badger or Clark Lakes; and no campfires above 10,000 ft."
Some people do it anyway, despite the lack of firewood.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/rec ... ecid=21264

Here's a blog
http://whereswalden.com/tag/thousand-island-lake/
with a "No fires" sign at Thousand Island Lake:

[apeman]

I stand corrected. Fires were legal at Thousand Island as recently as 2009 - last time I was there. It is indeed illegal now and at Garnet as well. There really isn't enough wood anyway although I saw some morons at Garnet cutting live trees and rolling logs down a hill. That is why fires are no longer allowed. I think these 2 lakes are in the top 10 for most beautiful Sierra lakes but I will never camp at them again because of the crowds. This late in the season would probably be good. Wasn't much of a wilderness experience but you gotta do it once and don't miss the sunrises.

I just got back from a week long trip on the backside of Whitney and I really don't miss the fires anymore. We did have one where legal at Rock Creek but that was after a 13 mile day and we just had a small one. My stuff doesn't all stink of smoke and I get to bed earlier or maybe it's because I'm just getting old and lazy. We headed off trail and didn't see a soul for 3 days. With I-pods we entertained ourselves with South Park reruns and card games. We get more visits from wildlife and enjoy sunsets more too without the fires. We did have a huge rockslide one night at 2am that scared the crap out of me. I timed an echo from this campsite that lasted for nearly 20 seconds so you can imagine what the rockslide sounded like.

Enjoy your trip and your one fire in Lyell canyon. Supposed to be very summer like this weekend.