Camping Past Glen Aulin

[RickM]

At the end of July we are planning a short trip on a Glen Aulin permit. I don't really want to camp at the Glen Aulin backpackers camp and would prefer to go a bit farther down river on our first night.

First question: How far past the Glen Aulin HSC do we have to go before we are allowed to camp?

Second question: If we take the trail southwest from Glen Aulin (past McGee Lake), we'll cross Cathedral Creek. It looks like we might be able to follow the creek north to find less crowded camping. Does anyone have any experience going off-trail in that area? Were there good campsites? Is Cathedral creek likely to have water this year at the end of July?

Thanks in advance for any help on these issues.

Rick

[balzaccom]

Once you are I the back country, you can camp wherever you want--but you are not allowed to create a camp fire ring. Most people would prefer to either camp at Glen Aulin (where you have piped water and can use their toilets and bear boxes) or at least a mile away (so you don't feel that you are camping with a crowd---and there will be a crowd at Glen Aulin!)

McGee Lake is lovely---but Cathedral Creek runs from South to North here...you can't follow it North. Conness Creek is the creek North of Glen Aulin

All of those are options---although I think most people prefer to hike further down into the Tuolumne canyon to camp.

[RickM]

Thanks for the information, that helps. I have one question about your reply though.

snip...

McGee Lake is lovely---but Cathedral Creek runs from South to North here...you can't follow it North. ...snip....

Why couldn't I follow Cathedral Creek North (downstream) for a short distance? Is the terrain too rugged or is there something else I'm not understanding?

Thanks!

[balzaccom]

I am not sure I understand, but Cathedral Creek runs into the Tuolumne right around Glen Aulin...so if you are going to go North there...the creeks ends at the river. The trail from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin meets Cathedral Creek only about 100 yards from the Tuolumne.

If you follow the creek SOUTH (uphill) you get to McGee Lake in about half a mile

[AlmostThere]

Second question: If we take the trail southwest from Glen Aulin (past McGee Lake), we'll cross Cathedral Creek. It looks like we might be able to follow the creek north to find less crowded camping. Does anyone have any experience going off-trail in that area? Were there good campsites? Is Cathedral creek likely to have water this year at the end of July?

This sounds to me like they are traveling away from Glen Aulin to the south...

I wouldn't place bets on water in the smaller creeks in later summer. Last year Sunrise Creek got down to puddles.... this year is drier.

[RickM]

The creek I was referring to is about 1/2 mile past McGee lake (continuing southwest on the trail from McGee Lake). It is labeled as Cathedral Creek on the map I'm looking at, whereas the creek from McGee lake that flows northeast towards Glen Aulin HSC isn't labeled on my map.

I guess we'll poke around and find out for ourselves. I'll post something back here in early August after we return.

Thanks!

[balzaccom]

I see it now--a smaller fork of Cathedral Creek. The main creek comes down by Tenaya Lake and into McGee Lake.

And i bet you have a hard time passing up camping at McGee...

[RickM]

We had a great 4 day trip and got home yesterday. I wanted to post a quick trip report, so here it is:

The hike in to Glen Aulin from TM was very pleasant (no mosquitoes). We found a nice campsite a little ways from the HSC and backpackers camp uphill from the trail towards Mc Gee Lake. The next day we dayhiked down the canyon a ways and then returned to our same campsite. On day 3 we went up past Mc Gee Lake and followed Cathedral Creek "downstream" (really only a trickle of water moving from pool to pool) off trail. We found a good campsite up away from the creek and mosquitos (they weren't horrible, but there definitely were a few down low). On day 4 we hiked out via the Murphy Creek trail and caught the hiker shuttle back to TM.

Thanks for all the forum help.

Rick M.