Introduction to this Weblog

This weblog chronicles the 8-day trek I made in July 2012 with my niece Lauryn and friend David. If you are new to this weblog you can begin your adventure in the "Blog Archive" with the "Introduction" and read the blogs in the order of our hike segments from #1 to #6. Enjoy! Bob Hare

Friday, April 19, 2013

Trail Segment 3: May Lake to Sunrise High Sierra Camp

It's about 5 miles of uphill from this meadow west of Tenaya Lake!


May Lake to Sunrise HSC Trail Description (from the The High Sierra Camps Website): 

Starting Elevation: 9270 ft. (2825 m) 
Ending Elevation: 9400 ft. (2865 m)
1980' gain and 1990' loss
Approximate Mileage: 8.25 (13 km)


The High Sierra Camp trail from May Lake descends to the old Tioga Road and follows it down to Tenaya Lake, paralleling Highway 120 briefly.  After crossing Tenaya creek the trail rises gradually for awhile, then turns into a steep 1.5-mile set of switchbacks up to the Clouds Rest junction.  This is a hot portion of the trail, but offers great views of Mt. Hoffman and Tenaya Canyon with its polished granite.  ...Continue on past Sunrise Lakes and ascend for 2 miles before a 1/2-mile descent to Long Meadow and Sunrise High Sierra Camp. 


The Loop Trail in Orange



Morning May Lake reflections with hot coffee







We awoke ready for our 8-mile hike with the first part down and the second part regaining what we dropped and then some. We packed our gear and went to breakfast.


Hot drinks and God-rays before breakfast


Everyone is blessed up here...truly heaven on earth


Breakfast serenade





After a hearty breakfast we hit the trail ready for a long haul


Wrangler with apples for her packstock


Morning pack train heading down from May Lake HSC (Half Dome on horizon)


Lauryn with a veteran Sierra Juniper on the old Tioga Road (now our trail)

David at our only contact with cars for 8 days

We lightened our loads by dropping off a few unneeded items at the bear boxes at Sunrise Trailhead

Still 5 miles to go before we rest...mostly up-up-up

This was the big hot slogging part

Lower Sunrise Lake restored our spirits




Wildflowers cheered us on the last uphill stretch before Sunrise HSC


After pitching our tents we sought out the Dining Tent...


Sunrise High Sierra Camp Description (from the HSC website):

Situated along a high alpine meadow, Sunrise High Sierra Camp is accessible from either the Sunrise Lakes trail from Tenaya Lake or the Cathedral Lakes trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows.  Well-named for the spectacular morning views as the sun creeps over the mountains, Sunrise offers incredible vistas towards both the Cathedral & Clark Ranges.  Local peaks include Colombia Finger, Tenaya Peak, Echo Peaks, Matthes Crest, and Cathedral Peak and are dramatic examples of Yosemite’s famous granite formations.

Sunrise High Sierra Camp was the idea of Mary Curry Tresidder, the daughter of “Mother” Jennie & David Curry, founders of Camp Curry. Mary Curry Tresidder and her husband, Don, ran the private concessionaire in Yosemite National Park for many years and were avid enthusiasts of the Yosemite high country.  Mary Curry Tresidder believed that people should have better access to such a beautiful area and became the financial backer for this final high camp.  Built in 1961 and the last of the High Sierra Camps, Sunrise completes the fifty mile High Sierra Camp Loop.





...and enjoyed another fine meal


David and I climbed a dome after dinner for alpenglow on Matthes Crest and a view of Cathedral Peak


Cathedral Peak, Echo Peaks and Echo Ridge

 
Beyond Choo-Choo Ridge is Vogelsang High Sierra Camp (2 days away)



 The next posting is: "Trail Segment 4: Sunrise to Merced Lake" one of our toughest and longest days.


Happy Trails to You! Bob Hare