Southern Yosemite Wilderness Medley, California

The Trip

Our journey, a wilderness medley, includes the essential experiences of a Yosemite backpacking trip. Escaping to the untrammeled backcountry, we will roam wildflower meadows, cool our feet in clear creeks, swim in mountain lakes, revel in the panorama of a high-elevation pass, and sit in awe of star-filled skies.

The adventure begins at the Bridalveil Creek trailhead and ends 47 miles later at Glacier Point, renowned for panoramic views of landmarks such as Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. In between, we traverse Southern Yosemite’s less traveled -- but no less beautiful -- backcountry, camping at Buena Vista Lake on the way to Ottoway Lakes. Nestled below the Clark Range, our layover day at Lower Ottoway Lake will provide an opportunity for exploring, climbing a peak, or relaxing. Because this is an early-season trip, we should also enjoy many beautiful wildflowers throughout much of our trek.

Day 1: Our trip officially starts this evening, when we meet at a southern Yosemite campground (not in the valley). We’ll get acquainted and spend the night here, to help us adjust to altitude. Campsites will be provided for the night. Participants are responsible for their dinner this evening, but all other meals are provided, starting with breakfast on the morning of day two.

Day 2: After breakfast and orientation at the campground, we will shuttle some of our cars to our eventual destination, Glacier Point, and then begin hiking from Bridalveil Creek. Our first camp is near Chilnualna Creek (7,350 feet). We will have hiked seven miles with 900 feet of elevation gain.

Day 3: Today, we climb 1,800 feet over six miles to reach Buena Vista Lake. This gem of a lake lies in the shadow of its namesake Buena Vista Peak (9,700 feet). The more ambitious participants may want to climb the peak for scenic views of the surrounding wilderness. Others may be satisfied with an invigorating swim in the sub-alpine lake.

Day 4: From Buena Vista, we hike 7.5 miles with about 1,000 feet of elevation change to camp near Givens Creek. Along the way, we will stop for an extended break at the spectacular Royal Arch Lake.

Day 5: Today we hike 8.5 miles, reaching Merced Pass (9,310 feet) before we climb to the Ottoway Lakes area. This 2,400 foot elevation gain will seem worth the effort when we arrive at stunning Lower Ottoway Lake. Situated just below the peaks of the Clark Range, we will learn firsthand why John Muir called the Sierra Nevada Mountains “the range of light.” 

Day 6: Today, a layover day, we will take a well-deserved break from backpacking. There are many possibilities for activities: exploring alpine lakes, climbing a nearby peak, or simply relaxing at camp. Those hiking to Red Peak Pass (11,075 feet) will be rewarded with the expanse of natural beauty, featuring snow-capped mountain peaks, shimmering alpine lakes, and vast fir and pine forests.

Day 7: We begin our departure from the backcountry by hiking back to the Merced Pass Lakes and taking the trail that follows Illilouette Creek downstream. We plan to hike about 10 miles and camp at an elevation of about 7,100 feet near the Clark Fork of Illilouette Creek.

Day 8: On our last day we will cross Illilouette Creek and gradually ascend to Glacier Point, which is at 7,200 feet elevation and about 9 miles from our last campsite. Along the way, we will enjoy great views of Half Dome, Mt. Broderick, Liberty Cap, Nevada Fall, and Mt. Starr King.

We plan to be on the trail by about 8:30 a.m. each morning and get into camp by midafternoon. 

The route and itinerary should be regarded as preliminary and might be subject to change. Snow conditions, runoff, the progress of the group, campsite availability, and other factors may require the leader to make adjustments. Participants must be flexible. The daily itinerary may be changed due to unforeseen conditions or circumstances.

We expect to return to our cars by mid-afternoon on Day 8. However, we cannot guarantee a specific time. To be safe and allow enough time for the long drive out, we strongly advise participants to not plan their return flights before the following day.

Getting There

We will meet at a campground in the southern part of Yosemite National Park (not in the Valley). It is about 75 miles (2 hours) north of Fresno via Highway 41. Airlines, buses, and Amtrak trains serve Fresno. The campground is about 200 miles from San Francisco (a 4.5-hour drive) and 300 miles from Los Angeles (a 5.5-hour drive).

We will send a trip roster to all participants well before the trip to help facilitate ride-sharing. Specific driving directions will also be sent before departure. Those arriving a few days early may enjoy camping at one of the several campgrounds in other sections of Yosemite National Park.

It is possible to use public transportation, though options are limited. Participants who intend to do that should plan to arrive in Yosemite at least one day before the trip starts. Please also note that on the weekend some public transportation options may be limited, especially on Sunday. 

For improved acclimatization, participants are encouraged to arrive earlier and do some day hiking at altitude. An extra day or two also makes it easier to recover from delays such as a missed flight connection and still make it to the trailhead in time.

Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.

Accommodations and Food

We will plan a diverse and appealing menu to accommodate both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Please let the leader know of any food allergies or limitations, including being vegetarian, as far in advance of the trip as possible. We are often able to make accommodations, but we need to know in advance -- so we can plan and let you know if we’ll be able to. Responsibility for cooking will be shared among the trip members. Our first meal will be breakfast on the morning of day two before we start hiking, and our last meal will be lunch on the final day.

Trip Difficulty

The trip is rated 3 on a scale between 1 and 5. That means that there will be both pretty strenuous and rather easy sections. Our hiking distances will be typically between seven and 10 miles per day. The maximum elevation gain in one day is about 2400 feet. All of our hiking will be on established graded trails. Wet creek crossings are possible. That said, this trip is suitable for strong beginners or those who haven’t been backpacking for a few years and want to get back to the wilderness. 

To enjoy this trip, participants need to be in very good physical condition. Previous backpacking experience is preferred. Regular aerobic exercise (such as treadmill, running, swimming, biking, or serious day hiking) during the three to four months before the trip is essential. Ideally, you should plan for at least one weekend backpack trip wearing a loaded pack and the boots you want to use on this trip. At a minimum, you should complete several day hikes of eight to 10 miles with your full gear. 

Our campsites are between 7,000 and 9,600 feet, so acclimatization to the high altitude is important. Those who are not used to these elevations might want to consider arriving a day earlier and acclimatizing by doing day hikes in the park. There is plenty to see and to do and the leaders are happy to provide some suggestions.

Equipment and Clothing

A list of suggested personal equipment will be sent to all participants. If you would like the list before signing up, let the leader know and a copy will be sent to you. Each person should keep the weight of personal gear, including backpack and water, around 20 pounds so that, with the addition of approximately 15 pounds of commissary equipment and food, the expected total pack weight will be less than 40 pounds at the start.

We will provide all food and cooking equipment, although you must bring your cup, bowl, and eating utensils. Some of the group equipment is relatively bulky, particularly pot sets and bear canisters. Your pack should be sufficiently large to carry an item about the size of a full paper grocery bag (alternatively, four or five one-gallon milk jugs) in addition to your gear.

Although Sierra summers are generally relatively dry, you still must be prepared for rain. For shelter, tents are strongly encouraged, and lightweight waterproof tarps are the required minimum. Where possible, we will help participants contact other trip members who want to share shelters. For rain gear, you should bring a waterproof jacket and rain pants rather than a poncho.

The leaders will be more than happy to advise on selecting the proper equipment so please feel free to contact us before you go out and spend a lot of money. Those who need to purchase all or most of their equipment should be aware that this might be a considerable expense.

References

Maps:

We suggest that you bring your map and compass; not only is this a matter of safety, but you will gain a better appreciation of where we are going and where we have been. Any of the following are options.

• Yosemite National Park or Yosemite SW & SE quadrants – National Geographic/Trails Illustrated Maps, available at outdoor stores.
• Tom Harrison's trail map Yosemite High Country, available at outdoor stores or http://www.tomharrisonmaps.com
• SGS 7.5-minute topographical maps: Mariposa Grove, Sing Peak, Merced Peak, Half Dome, available at https://store.usgs.gov/maps
  

Books:

• Swedo, Suzanne, Hiking Yosemite National Park.
• Laws, John Muir, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
• Muir, John, The Yosemite.

Websites:

• Yosemite National Park: www.nps.gov/yose
• Yosemite Conservancy: www.yosemiteconservancy.org

Conservation

Many consider Yosemite National Park to be the crown jewel of the national park system. John Muir's struggle against the devastation of the sub-alpine meadows surrounding Yosemite Valley by flocks of domestic sheep ("hoofed locusts") led to the establishment of the park on October 1, 1890. But Muir realized that an organization would be necessary to ensure Yosemite's protection, and joined with others in the San Francisco Bay Area to form the Sierra Club two years later. The Club was instrumental in expanding protection for Yosemite in the 1890s, in the establishment of Kings Canyon National Park in 1940, and more recently in passing the Wilderness Act of 1964, which established the National Wilderness Preservation System and afforded much of the High Sierra the highest level of protection possible. As club members, we have reason to be proud of this accomplishment when we hike through the region.

The Sierra Club Outings program provides an excellent opportunity for members to discuss current problems while also celebrating past conservation victories. On this trip, we will spend some time discussing public lands, wilderness protection, and other environmental/conservation topics. Trip participants are encouraged to come prepared to discuss local conservation issues in their area.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.