5 day Backcountry Trek late Sept. - 1st visit to Yosemite

[rbrosko]

We are a small group of 6 adults in our late 50s. Each year we do a different high adventure trail. 2013-Grand Canyon, 2012-Glacier and 2011 Isle Royal. We plan to begin our trek on Monday 9/22 and end on Friday 9/26. We have received our permit to start in Tuolumne Meadow and hike down through the Lyell Canyon, with our trek ending in the Little Yosemite Valley. Day one we thought we could push to either Ireland Lake or Evelyn Lake and then from there we are open for any & all opinions. We have looked at the map and it appears we have many choices from there, based on weather and the mileage we wish to do each day.
Day 1 - Tuolumne Meadow to Ireland Lake
Day 2 - Ireland Lake to Fletcher Lake
Day 3 - Fletcher Lake to Merced Lake
Day 4 - Merced Lake to Moraine Dome
Day 5 - Moraine Dome to Mist Trail and grab a Hiker Shuttle
Sorry, my first post was not very clear. I hope this update helps. We know where we start and where we "wish" to hike out to and are looking for best spots to camp in between.

[Grzldvt]

Why Little Yosemite Valley?

[AlmostThere]

If you end in Little Yosemite, how are you getting back to the road?

Sorry, I'm not sure what your question is?

[rbrosko]

Starting in Tuolumne Meadows down through Lyell Conyon and spend first night maybe at Ireland Lake, if that is doable? Then unclear where would be best to go from there? Then maybe Fletcher Lake, then Merced Lake and from there hike out to catch a shuttle in the valley to spend the night at the Ahwahnee. I thought we could hike out through Little Yosemite Valley trail, you are right, no need to go up 0.2 to Little Yosemite valley campsite. Based on our reading we can hike out the Mist Trail and grab a Hiker Bus, is that possible on Friday?

[balzaccom]

OK--I'll play.

Yes, Ireland Lake in one day from Tuolumne Meadows is doable. Get a nice early start so that you don't feel you have to rush it. WE always figure miles before lunch are always easlier than miles after lunch.

Next night, Fletcher Lake is a very short day. You could easily make it to some interesting spots, like Bernice Lake or Babcock. They're just a bit off the main trail, so they get less traffic, and are beautiful.

From either of those, Merced Lake is another easy hike---and a very populated campsite, You could add another couple of miles to camp at Washburn with far fewer people. From there it is an easy two day hike back to the Valley. After camping at Bernice and Washburn, Little Yosemite Valley is going to seem like Grand Central Station...

[rbrosko]

Balzccom, huge thank you
Great suggestions, we enjoy meeting & talking with fellow hikers, however, prefer to camp in secluded areas.
In your opinion, hiking which side of Vogelsang Peak is preferred for best scenery?
If we did Washburn Lake to Moranie Dome, would that give us a nice leisure hike out to catch a Hiker shuttle?

[bbmq]

Hiking over Vogelsang Pass on Lewis Creek Trail is quite beautiful, where hiking the other way on Fletcher Trail is mostly a walk in the woods. It would give you the option of staying at Emeric or Babcock Lakes though which are both nice.

Going over the Pass and staying at Bernice Lake is a good recommendation, that's a nice stop.

I do have to pass on one warning, though. Two years ago I was in the Vogelsang area and I spoke with several people who had come up from the Lewis Creek area and the creek was dry due to a light winter snowpack. They had to survive for two days of with only one day's amount of water That was two years ago and two more dry winters have followed.

So I'll be heading up there in August and I'll be planning on staying at lakes for their water supply as creeks maybe can't be depended on.

[stanzi113]

Our trip is just a week before yours, and it looks like the regular DNC run hikers shuttle will not be working at that point in the year. Historically they stop running on the Sunday nearest the 15th of the month (this year my money is on the 14th).

YARTs should still be running at that point, but only on the weekend. In our case, we are catching YARTs to the trailhead on the front end of the trip, so we can hike back down to our car and clean clothes.

Lots of people suggest hitchiking, but if that makes you nervous, like me, I would make sure to look into other transportation means.

[balzaccom]

Hiking over Vogelsang Pass on Lewis Creek Trail is quite beautiful, where hiking the other way on Fletcher Trail is mostly a walk in the woods. It would give you the option of staying at Emeric or Babcock Lakes though which are both nice.

Going over the Pass and staying at Bernice Lake is a good recommendation, that's a nice stop.

I do have to pass on one warning, though. Two years ago I was in the Vogelsang area and I spoke with several people who had come up from the Lewis Creek area and the creek was dry due to a light winter snowpack. They had to survive for two days of with only one day's amount of water That was two years ago and two more dry winters have followed.

So I'll be heading up there in August and I'll be planning on staying at lakes for their water supply as creeks maybe can't be depended on.

Good point. Although if you camp at Bernice Lake, you can fill up your water bottles there...and it's all downhill to the Merced River

[rbrosko]

THANK YOU to all that have provided input and for the information I found on this site, it is awesome.
So the small group from Michigan have established the following for our first (not last) visit to Yosemite.
Sept. 19-20, day hike in the valley
Sunday take the shuttle up to Tuolumne Meadows, spend the night
Monday Hike out, follow the Lyell Canyon Trail to Camp 1 - Ireland lake (approx. 9.6 miles)
Tuesday hike from Ireland Trail to Bernice lake (approx. 8.6 miles)
Wednesday hike from Bernice Lake to Merced (if this site is too crowded, hike to Washburn Lake)
Thursday Merced to Moraine Dom or Little Yosemite Valley
Friday hike out (If we can get a permit, hike Half Dome, however, not sure what we would do with out packs) and then celebrate at the Lodge!
.
It appears this is doable, and would hit several greats locations.

Any thoughts or potential changes are greatly appreciated to make the trip even better.