trip advice (Summer 2009)

[hiker97]

I was thinking about doing the Tuolumne Meadows to Silver Lake (Rush Creek Trailhead) via Donohue Pass and Waugh Lake, a 26-mile one-way shuttle trip. But then I thought about expanding it to a 31 mile (+/-) going to Thousand Island Lake and Clark Lakes instead. Is this a doable 4-day/3-night trip with stays at the Lyell Fork/Ireland Creek junction (5.5 miles from trailhead) and Thousand Island Lake (7.5 miles from the other end)? I figure that leaves 18 miles in the middle for 2 days but I'm not sure where the good campsites fall in that 18 mile stretch, or how difficult it would be with the Donohue Pass thrown in. Ideally it sounds like a 5-day/4-night but I absolutely could not spare the extra day. Any thoughts or recommendations?

[bill-e-g]

My recommendation would be to scrap the shuttle. Figure out some sort
of loop including Billy, Waugh, 10000, and Garnet Lakes. Save/do
Lyell Canyon/ Donahue for another trip. There is alot of stuff to explore
up in Lyell Canyon. Plus you will have more time to explore and enjoy
Garnet etc. Garnett is simply spectacular!

If you insist on the shuttle then I'd would think you would be able to do it
in the timeframe. A 65 year old buddy of mine and myself went from
TM to Garnet in 2 days last year. Maybe try to get further into Lyell on the 1st
day. The junction camping spot is rather boring IMO.

Have fun.

[BadPepsi]

Lyell Canyon is relatively flat and easy for 10 miles before heading uphill to Donohue. If you make good time along the flat section, you can get a head start up the climb for your first night on the trail. There are campsites on both sides of the footbridge where the trail crosses the Lyell Fork. If you can make it another three-quarters of a mile (and maybe 400 vertical ft) from there, you'll reach an unnamed lake with numerous campsites and fantastic views. That would definitely be my destination for Day 1.

As for Day 2, I agree with Bill-e-g - Garnet Lake is awesome!
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[hiker97]

Thanks for the suggestions! The more I think about it, the more I think about the time required to set up the shuttle. I appreciate the idea to loop around and hit Garnet Lake also. I've already experienced the Lyell Fork up to the Ireland/Evelyn Lake cut-off so the only new segment for me was going to be from there to Donohue.