Sierra Club Outings | High Yosemite Rambler: Peaks, Lakes, and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California

High Yosemite Rambler: Peaks, Lakes, and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California
July 26-August 1, 2009

Highlights:

Hike classic high country Yosemite at the peak of wildflower season
Climb to the summits of Half Dome, CloudsRest, and Vogelsang Peak
Bask in the splendor of alpine meadows and granite outcroppings

Includes:

Delicious back country food including a welcome dinner at Tuolumne Lodge
All camping and permits
Group equipment and bear-resistant food storage canisters

Travel through the granite wonderland of the high Yosemite backcountry, from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake. Enroute we will climb Vogelsang Peak, swim at Merced Lake, make a classic early morning ascent of Half Dome, and enjoy the splendor from Clouds Rest on our last day. We will enjoy the wildflowers and exquisite vistas as we journey through this alpine paradise.

Note: This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions and the health and fitness of trip participants. Hikes to the summits of Clouds Rest and Half Dome will not be attempted if thunderstorms are threatened.

Day 1: After meeting in the Tuolumne Meadows campground at 2 p.m., we'll check backpacks, divide up the group gear then take a day hike up Lembert Dome. Tonight we'll have a welcome dinner at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.

Day 2: We'll start our backpack along the famous John Muir Trail and then head up Rafferty Creek. After traveling over Tuolumne Pass, we will make our way to Vogelsang for our first camp. We will travel about 8 miles and ascend almost 1,500 feet. We will spend two nights here.

Day 3: After a leisurely breakfast we'll take day packs and hike to the top of Vogelsang Peak at nearly 11,500 feet. We�ll descend back to Vogelsang Lake and have the rest of the day to relax or explore.

Day 4: Our backpack today is down Fletcher Creek to the lovely Merced Lake. We will lose several thousand feet of elevation in about 8 miles. There will be time in the afternoon to swim and soak up some sun.

Day 5: We leave Merced Lake and travel through the flowers of Echo Valley on our way to a ridge just above Little Yosemite Valley. There will be some great views of granite domes today, and we will prepare ourselves for tomorrow�s early-morning climb of Half Dome. The total distance traveled today is about 8.5 miles with no significant elevation gain or loss.

Day 6: We'll be up early for our ascent up the cables to the top of Half Dome. Carrying only our day packs, the hike to the base of the cables will go quickly. A 360-degree panorama rewards those who continue up to the large, flat top. We'll return to camp in time to have lunch and then pack up for a move to our next camp. We travel about 6 miles with just under 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Our campsite will be along a creek that is well-positioned for our final day that will begin with a farewell treat up to Clouds Rest.

Day 7: We�ll be up with the sun and head for the Clouds Rest Trail and begin the climb. Just below the summit we'll make the final scramble to the crest. After getting our fill of the stupendous views, we'll head down, retrieve our backpacks, and descend to Tenaya Lake. We will climb about 800 feet to the top of Clouds Rest and then descend nearly 2,000 feet in about 4 miles. We will take the shuttle back to Tuolumne Meadows to enjoy a cool drink at the store and bid farewell to our new friends.

We will meet at the Tuolumne Meadows Group Campground around midday on Sunday. This meeting time will assure that everyone has at least one night to acclimatize to the altitude before we begin our trek. The closest airport is located in Reno, Nevada, approximately 180 miles away. Alternatives include the San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland, California, airports, both about a 250 mile-mile drive from Tuolumne Meadows. While there is currently no direct route to Tuolumne Meadows via public transportation, it is possible to get there by a using a combination of bus and train if you are willing to spend a couple of extra days doing so. A roster of trip participants will be sent out well in advance of the trip to assist those who wish to share rides and/or rental cars.

The first trip meal will be a welcome dinner at Tuolumne Lodge on Sunday, July 26 and the last meal will be breakfast on trail on August 1. While this is not a vegetarian trip, only a few meals contain meat items, so we can easily accommodate vegetarians. The food is tasty and comprised of quality ingredients; the menu is lightweight, low in bulk, simple to prepare, and offers variety and quantity. We will be serving simple breakfasts on most days to accommodate early starts. An occasional happy hour (once we are acclimatized) and nightly desserts will add calories and help to keep our spirits high. Snack bags are provided for each trip member to carry, so you will always have something to snack on. Every effort is made to include a wide variety of nutritious and delicious foods to fuel our adventure. Trip members take turns serving on cook crews and performing various camp chores. The leaders will take care of the stoves and assist, as needed, in meal preparation. We supply all cooking gear and trip food, which will be packed in bear-safe canisters.

This trip is rated Moderate. The rating is relative, however: All backpacking is by nature a strenuous activity, and some days may be quite taxing. You'll need to be physically fit to carry a pack holding 40-plus pounds of gear at the start and hike rugged trails at high altitude. The overall distance is about 35 miles, and elevations range from 7,000 feet to nearly 11,500 feet. Daily distances range from 5-9 miles. The maximum elevation gain will be 2,000 feet in a day.

As with any backpack trip in the Sierra, good conditioning is essential. Without it, carrying a load at elevation will be a distressing experience. It is important to engage in aerobic exercise year-round to maintain good physical condition --running, aerobics, swimming, cycling, spin classes, jazzercise, Nordic Track, Stairmaster, whatever it takes to get your heart rate up for 30-40 minutes four to five times per week.

The best pre-trip preparation by far is to backpack. If this is difficult, the next best preparation is to hike regularly and to carry a backpack, with increasingly heavy loads, on non-flat terrain. Begin with 25 pounds of whatever you find that's relatively bulky. Walk up and down some good-sized hills, or stairs or bleachers if hilly terrain is unavailable, increasing the mileage and load gradually. You owe it to yourself and the group to be in shape.

Another suggestion is to check with your local Sierra Club chapter which may be a good resource for challenging weekend backpack trips and local hikes.

We will provide the group equipment, including bear canisters, pots, cooking utensils, stoves, fuel, first-aid kit, repair kit, toilet paper, trowels for burying waste, Ziploc-type bags for packing out toilet paper, and water purification. Although we try hard to keep the commissary weight down, each participant's share of the group equipment and food will be about 12 pounds at the start of the trip. Be mindful to allow room for this in your pack . For a reference, you can use 2 gallon milk jugs to represent the volume and relative weight.

As soon as you are approved for this trip, the leader will send you a detailed list of equipment to bring. (You can start with the equipment list available at www.knapsack.org.) It's critical to limit your personal gear to 20 - 25 pounds (with pack) to maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to assure that you can keep up with the group.

Blisters are the probably the most common medical problem for backpackers, so your boots must fit well and be reliable, i.e., worn in but not worn out. If you need a new pair, it�s one investment you should not scrimp on in terms of durability and comfort. Pay particular attention to the fit; feet expand during the day, so toes need enough room so as to avoid developing blisters, while the heel must fit snugly so the foot won�t slide forward on descents. Also check for spots inside the boot that can chafe and cause blisters. A pair of light camp shoes provide needed comfort and they also reduce campground impact. Tevas, Crocs and AquaSocks are popular choices.

On this trip we will spend some time discussing public lands and wilderness protection. There are areas adjacent to both Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness that still need protection. The proposed California Wild Heritage Act includes these lands, among others, as additions to our existing wilderness areas. You can find more information on this important proposal at: www.californiawild.org.

The Sierra Club Outings program provides an excellent opportunity for members to discuss current problems while also celebrating past conservation victories. Trip participants are encouraged to come prepared to discuss issues affecting their home communities.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Kath has been backpacking since she was 16 and has worn out many pairs of hiking boots. She has traveled the world exploring wild areas with her pack on her back but keeps coming back to her beloved Sierra Nevada. Kath�s first career was as an Outward Bound instructor. She enjoys introducing people to the grandeur of the wilderness and back country and enjoying the outdoors with other people. Kath is trained in botany and loves to share her joy of wildflowers and natural history.

E-mail: kath@mysite.com

Diane Cook has been leading backpack trips in the Sierra since 1981. Early family vacations included hiking and car-camping, but she didn't learn about the wonders of backpacking until she grew up. She started leading group trips with the Chicago chapter of the Sierra Club before moving to California. Now she enjoys sharing the pleasures of hiking in the Sierra with experienced and inexperienced backpackers alike. She particularly enjoys planning meals that will exceed your preconceived notions of backpacking dishes.