Sunrise High Sierra Camp - backpacking sites?

[robbaggio]

Hi,

I will be starting the JMT on labor day weekend, and wont be starting on the first day until around noon on that Saturday (taking the bus from Mammoth Lakes-> Yosemite that morning, picking up permit day before). While I would like to get to Cathedral Lakes that first day, it probably wont happen, since Ill only have 8ish hours of daylight left and I dont want to completely kill myself the first day.

So right now I'm thinking I'll probaby make it to right around the Sunrise Camp. What are the rules regarding backpacking camping around the High Sierra camps? Do they have an area where people with backcountry permits can camp free of charge? If so, do these areas fill up fast? If not, what restrictions are there regarding how close you can camp to these 'campgrounds'?

Thanks for any info you can provide

[dan]

Well, you can camp anywhere where it's not posted, and so many feet away from the trail or water. You can't camp in the HSC. There's designated backpacker campgrounds next to Vogelsang HSC and Merced Lake HSC i've stayed at, and there may be one next to Sunrise. For Sunrise, however, I suggest staying at one of the Sunrise Lakes. You really don't want to camp next to a HSC if you can, with all the activity and screaming kids.

See this thread for Sunrise Lakes:
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/t=431
and for Cathedral lakes, further north:
http://www.yosemite.ca.us/forum/viewtopic/t=456

[robbaggio]

Thanks for the info Dan, looks like the first Sunrise Lake might work well for me(not to far from JMT), as I'd definitely prefer not to have tons of screaming kids around

[adrianhoff]

Camping near one of the lakes will definitely be more peaceful than the High Sierra Camp.

Even with an early start, Happy Isles to Sunrise for me is two days. I’m slow, and I don’t adapt to elevation as quickly as some. So I looked for comfortable campsites before that last big climb (switchbacks visible on the map) leading up to Sunrise.

There are two creek crossings within a half-mile or so of the switchbacks. There are established campsites near both crossings. They’d leave you a couple of miles short of the turnoff to the Sunrise Lakes at the end of day one. There’s also a fairly flat spot with water access after the steep uphill section, before the turnoff.

[bill-e-g]

The first lake after Sun HSC is nearly 1.5 miles away and even more up.
I would simply keep going beyond the HSC and head into the woods a
bit. You should be able to find a nice spot with some great views of the
Columbia Finger..
If you are doing the entire JMT you'll be doing plenty of miles and
elevation.... I'd save Sunrise Lakes for another trip.
Have fun, I did the JMT last year at the same time...

[centurycyclist]

Just returned yesterday from that area. Know that the HSC rarely have children, so take that out of the consideration. There are a couple of camp sites immediately adjacent to Sunrise, right on top of a rock, beautiful views. Plus you can fill up your water there, as the creeks in the area are dry. I do think that the Sunrise Lakes are pretty, but they are at least another 1 1/2-2 miles, and an additional climb and descent. I agree that it is really ambitious to go from the valley to +9000 feet in one day, you really should consider a slower ascent because of possible altitude issues. Merced Lake and Vogelsang also have adjacent campgrounds, both with water, and Merced Lake has a bathroom available for campers, too. Have fun. It was spectacularly beautiful.

[crewlle]

Wondering if you were able to collect the Strawberry to Kyburz Gas Station section of the High Sierra 250 dual sport ride you posted in 2008.