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Merced Lake & High Sierra Camp (Yosemite)

Posted on September 19, 2008 by: Traveler

  • Entry to store and dining area of Merced Lake HSC.
  • The path between the cabins and to / from the lake or backpackers area is well marked.
  • Community fire ring.
  • Bench set at intervals along path through camp.
  • Community restrooms for guests of the HSC only (not the passing through kind).
  • The 1,800 ft referenced in the sign is at the backpackers campground.
  • Messhall / dining area.
  • Small store at messhall entrance. This will not be open during the HSC off-season.
  • Exterior of messhall.
  • Tie-off post .for mule trains transferring supplies to the HSC's
  • Water storage area. Probably for the hot water showers because there is never a shortage of water to draw from the river flowing into Merced Lake.
  • Backpackers campground dwarfed by huge pine trees.
  • Community bear boxes of the backpackers campsite.
  • Each site will have fallen logs for seating, a fire pit and flat areas for sleeping.
  • These trees were still standing my first time at this site.
  • Campsite at the backpackers area of Merced Lake HSC.
  • Bear boxes of the backpackers campground.
  • Flush camode (one on each side) at the backpackers campsite. It even comes stocked with toilet paper.
  • View looking down the trail walking from the lake. The right side branch of this trail leads to the canvas cabins of Merced Lake HSC. The left fork leads to the backpackers portion and to the ranger station beyond.
  • Aspen leaves.
  • From the trail walking down to Merced Lake. Full lake views beyond to the tip of Half Dome open up.
  • Merced Lake ranger station.
  • Approaching from Vogelsang HSC along the namesake HSC Loop, you will drop down to the Merced Lake Ranger station before turning (right) to Merced Lake.
  • Merced Lake Ranger station.
  • Three small bridges cross over creeks. This is the first (single) bridge crossing.
  • Set of bridges crossing over drainage from the High Sierra.
  • The trail is flat all the way to the High Sierra Camp / backpacker's campground and the lake beyond. It travels trhough a densely forested area up to the edge of the lake.
  • This river feeding into Merced Lake comes down from Washburn Lake high above the Merced Lake Ranger station (left instead of right).
  • The river gets channeled through a narrow rock chute and forms some tumultuous whitewater before entering a large swimming and fishing area.
  • The narrow rock chute above the swimming area. If you pack a fly-fishing rod, this area just below offers a good locale for casting.
  • The calmer swimming pool can be seen below. The beach is made up of granite sloping directly into the (freezing) water and you can walk across logs to get to the left side of the pool area.
  • Log crossing just below the beach area. The river inlet (from Washburn Lake high above) to this swimming hole can be seen to the left side.
  • Snake crossing over the logs.
  • Farther away from the river inlet is swimming without the currents that churn up from the whitewater.
  • Granite slope into the freezing water of this nice swimming hole.
  • From the High Sierra Camp and backpacker's campground, it is a short walk along the clearly marked path to Merced Lake.
  • BY late summer this area will become a grassy meadow.
  • In the early summer though, all the surrounding peaks become reflected in the placid lake waters.
  • The trail skirts along the north shore of Merced Lake from the HSC to the outlet of Merced Lake.
  • About mid way through the lake, along the trail, hikers will pass this champion White Fir.
  • This grand-daddy is over 7 feet thick and 214 feet high.
  • Seeing Merced Lake mirror the south wall is truly magnificent but looking to the north will also impress.
  • The morning calm.
  • The water narrows at the western end of Merced Lake indicating the beginning of the Merced River.
  • Almost immediately the Merced River begins its tumultuous descent down to Yosemite Valley.
  • The hiking path stays on the north side of Merced River.
  • Merced River just below Merced Lake.

Best Time To Visit: Summer and Fall
Closest City: Lee Vining
State: 7
Country: 209

DIRECTIONS: (The following directions are for trips originating from the Tuolumne Meadow area): From California 395 near the city of Lee Vining, take Highway 120 up to Tioga Pass and into Yosemite National Park. Park at the Tuolumne Ranger Station. Backcountry permits can also be picked up at this location, but they are on a first-come basis (departing trailhead and ending destination play the biggest factor) to limit trail use. 

From Yosemite Valley, connect to Highway 120 (right fork leading up) at the western side of the valley. NOTE: If driving up Highway 140 from the city of Merced (southwest entrance), at the junction with Highway 120 you would be making a left turn at the fork. At the next junction of the 120, take the east route (right) heading toward Tuolumne Meadow. Park at the Tuolumne Ranger Station.

From the Western (Highway 120) entrance into Yosemite, continue all the way east to Tuolumne Meadow and park at the Ranger Station.

Parkiing is also available near Lembert Dome along the road leading to the horse stables. This will lengthen the walk by less than a half mile.

(For trips along the High Sierra Loop originating from Yosemite Valley): Park in the overnight backpacker's parking lot at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. It is past Curry Village and before the Happy Isle shuttle stop. This trail will be the same as if you were hiking up any destination from Happy Isle (Vernal & Nevada Falls, Half Dome and beyond. At Little Yosemite Valley, you would continue straight up the Merced Canyon. (follow the signs posted, sometimes they are the most accurate).

DESCRIPTION: Coming Soon!

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Yosemite National Park, Merced Lake, High Sierra Camp, High Sierra Camp Loop, Tuolumne Meadow, Tuolumne River, Merced River, swimming, camping, hiking, backpacking, canvas camp, campground, mule train,

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