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Tuolumne Meadow to Emerick Lake via Rafferty Creek (Yosemite)

Posted on October 17, 2008 by: Traveler

  • From Highway 120 (Tioga Pass), make a left hand turn into the parking lot of the Tuolumne Ranger station.
  • There is plenty of parking. Pick up your permits and backtrack to the road where you made the second (quick) right turn. You will see the trail paralleling the road and then it will enter the forest skirting along the Lyell Fork Tuolumne River.
  • Sign where the trail enters the forest paralleling the Lyell Fork Tuolumne (go right).
  • Lyell Fork Tuolumne.
  • Up ahead will be two bridge crossing areas over the Tuolumne. The first crossing is just a single span over the Dana Fork just before it merges with the Lyell Fork (which merges into the main Tuolumne River in Tuolumne Meadow). Got all that :)
  • Sign just before crossing.
  • Bridge over Dana Fork Tuolumne.
  • The next (double) bridge area will cross the Lyell Fork Tuolumne River.
  • Looking down river.
  • The Lyell Fork splits around this boulder island.
  • From the opposite side of the double bridge, follow the trail sign of the John Muir Trail (JMT). Another junction will be just ahead.
  • This bridge off to the left (you will not cross it) will be just prior to the junction of the Lyell Fork Tuolumne/ Donohue Pass/ JMT. Take the right fork heading to Tuolumne Pass an Vogelsang High Sierra Camp.
  • Take the right fork here! As mentioned, the Lyell Fork/ Donohue Pass/ JMT are to the left. You can add on a couple miles (to a more scenic route I hear) by taking the left fork which would loop around past Ireland Lake and Vogelsang HSC.
  • Look for this sign, not the one to the left which is the destinations mentioned earlier.
  • Now following Rafferty Creek (which will mainly be to the left side of the trail). You will hear them first... a small double cascade of Rafferty Creek.
  • Double cascade of Rafferty Creek.
  • The trail is well marked the entire length as this is a major hiking route up to Vogelsang HSC linking up with others along the High Sierra Loop.
  • There was only one section (in June) that required some rock hopping in order to prevent the boots from getting wet.
  • Jeff takes the high route across a log as Randy contemplates his rock hopping ability.
  • The choice is made and Randy gives it a go.
  • Up ahead , we could see a lingering snowfield.
  • There was one tiny section of a snow bridge that had yet to collapse.
  • Good for pictures only, there was no way that would support the weight of a hiker.
  • This crossing was wider (shallower) than the previous crossing and barely made it over the soles of our hiking boots.
  • At this little pond was the junction heading to Vogelsang HSC (left fork). We continued right on to Emerick Lake.
  • Sign indicating the destinations on the right side trail fork. Emerick Lake is not listed, but it is just beyond Booth Lake.
  • Booth Lake will appear down to the right. Only a short distance left. NOTE: the mosquitoes became MADDENING at this point. More than likely due to the time of season.
  • The trail skirts past a couple more small (unnamed lakes).
  • Unnamed lake in between Booth and Emerick Lakes.
  • Up ahead will be a small canyon (right side). The trail stays on the top of the ridge before dropping into this canyon and then looping around to the left where Emerick Lake is.
  • Small canyon on right side. The sky was hazy due to the 1000 plus fires burning all over the state of California.
  • Final drop before reaching the side spur off the High Sierra Loop, leading down to Emerick Lake.
  • Along Emerick's shore. Be sure to check out Emerick Lake to see more pics of this gorgeous location.

Best Time To Visit: Late Summer through October
Closest City: Lee Vining
State: 7
Country: 208

 

DIRECTIONS: From California 395 near the city of Lee Vining, take Highway 120 (Tioga Road) up to Tioga Pass (9,945 ft.) and into Yosemite National Park. At first you will pass through the Dana Meadows with Mount Dana's 13,057 ft. summit (second highest in the park after Mount Lyell at 13,114 ft.) commanding the skyline. Dana Meadows will be mostly to the left side of the road. Continuing toward the Tulomne area, you will pass a couple smaller unnamed meadows. Tioga Road will then start to parallel the Dana Fork Tuolumne River which will be on the left. You're getting close at this point because soon the Dana Fork Tuolumne, Lyell Fork Tuolumne and lesser watersheds like Rafferty Creek (your route here) will merge to form the main branch of the Tuolumne River. The Tuolumne River is one of the centerpieces of Tuolumne Meadows that continues its path through the park, down the Sierra Nevada Mountains and onto the Pacific Ocean. Turn left into the Tuolumne Wilderness Center. If you pass Lembert Dome to the right, you've gone too far. Backcountry permits can be obtained at the Ranger / Wilderness Station. There is a large parking lot here with numerous bear boxes for any smell good items that have to be left behind. Most Yosemite trailheads are on a first-come basis. The point of departure and ending destination seem to play the biggest factors in limiting trail use. You can also call in advance to reserve your trip. This area is a high use trailhead, but most hikers will either be out for the day or have a different ending location like Vogelsang HSC. Additional parking is just past the Tuolumne Wilderness Center Road down the stables road. The stables road is on the right side of Tioga Road directly after Lembert Dome. Park anywhere space is available along the stables road and return back to the Wilderness Center to pick up the trailhead.. 

From Yosemite Valley, connect to the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120). This junction will be at the west end of Yosemite Valley past Pohono Bridge (where the loop road of Yosemite Valley heads back around to the Southside Drive. Take the right fork at the intersection and then another right once you arrive at the Crane Flat intersection. Crane Flat is where Highway 120 splits up between the east and west routes. By taking the east (right) junction, you will now be on the Tioga Road heading toward Tuolumne Meadows. Continue past Lembert Dome (which will now rise up on the left side) and turn right into the Wilderness Center parking lot.

If driving up Highway 140 from the city of Merced (southwest entrance), at the junction with Highway 120 (Old Crane Flat Road) you would be making a left turn at the fork. NOTE: This junction will be before you get a glimpse of Yosemite Valley. The road will pass through (2) small and (1) larger tunnel while winding up to the junction at Crane Flat. Take the Tioga Road junction and follow the same path as mentioned above to arrive at the Wilderness Center parking lot on the far side of Tuolumne Meadows. Stop at your fancy at any point of interest along the Tioga Road.  

From the Big Oak Flat Entrance of Highway 120 into Yosemite, continue to the junction at Crane Flat. Take the left fork to continue along Highway 120 (Tioga Road) all the way east to Tuolumne Meadows.

DESCRIPTION: This trail begins at the back side of the Wilderness Center of Tuolumne Meadows. At first it parallels the road leading to the Tuolumne High Sierra Camp and then diverts into the forest and mirrors the Dana Fork Tuolumne River along the John Muir Trail. After crossing a single bridge and then a double bridge farther ahead, the trail takes a more direct and southern path. You are now paralleling Rafferty Creek. Up ahead will be your first trail junction. Take the right fork to continue up Rafferty Creek. By going left, you will cross over the Lyell Fork Tuolumne River and follow the Lyell Canyon Trail. More to come!

Most Tuolumne hikers do not even know of Emerick Lake because the main attraction of this backcountry area is the posh Vogelsang High Sierra Camp.

To continue on farther into the Yosemite wilderness (even down to Yosemite Valley) for a multi-day adventure; click here.

 

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Tags

Yosemite National Park, Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadows, Tuolumne Wilderness Center, Lembert Dome, Tuolumne River, Rafferty Creek, Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, High Sierra Loop, Booth Lake, hiking, camping, backpacking

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