Merced Lake to Vogelsang via
Fletcher Creek Trail Description (from the The High Sierra Camps Website)
Starting Elevation: 7150 ft. (2179 m)
Ending Elevation: 10100 ft. (3078 m)
3150' gain and 250' loss
Approximate Mileage: 7.8 miles (12.5 km)
Travel through the large forest towards the Merced
Lake Ranger Station. Just before the ranger station, the trail leaves the
Merced River valley and begins a long series of switchbacks through a canyon of
polished granite. The trail levels off near the Babcock Lake trail
junction. A 1/2-mile off the main trail, Babcock Lake may not be
all that scenic but it is a prime swimming lake. The trail continues to
climb and then levels off for a walk through a scenic meadow bordered by
granite domes & knobs. The last stretch of the hike ascends again to
Vogelsang High Sierra Camp at the base of Fletcher Peak.
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| The Loop Trail in Orange |
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| After a fine filling breakfast... |
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| ...we quickly cover the level mile to the part that is up-up-up...for 7 miles (as Lauryn reminds me..."Uncle Bob!!") |
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| Between huffs I quietly thank the trail builders for their hard work on our behalf |
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| Merced Lake falls away below us as we climb, climb, climb |
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| We chose the shorter easier Fletcher Creek route over the Lewis Creek trail that crosses Vogelsang Pass |
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| Babcock Dome hides Babcock Lake at 8,885' |
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| We were energized by the beauty of this stretch of cascading Fletcher Creek |
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| We enjoyed this meadow at 9380' (it was flat as well as lovely) |
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| Just 2.2 miles (but these last ones uphill felt more like five) |
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| Fletcher Peak and Vogelsang HSC were a welcome sight |
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| This highest of the High Sierra Camps has an Alpine-Tibetan feel to it |
Vogelsang High Sierra Camp Description (from the HSC
website):
Located creekside near Fletcher Lake, Vogelsang is often named as a favorite
spot in Yosemite by many a veteran visitor. This is truly an alpine setting at
the highest elevation of all the camps with peaks, lakes, meadows and vistas
within close proximity. Vogelsang is at the base of Fletcher Peak and famous
for intense sunset alpenglow. Many alpine lakes in the area offer
great opportunities for hiking and fishing. Day trip destinations include
Evelyn and Ireland Lakes, Booth Lake, Emeric Lake, and Vogelsang Lake, Pass and
Peak.
Meaning “birdsong” in German, Vogelsang is an evocative name for the natural
beauties of the area. However, the source of the
name is connected to the area's fishing opportunities. In the late
1890's the US Calvary tried to eradicate sheepherding in Yosemite’s high
alpine meadows, a struggle made difficult by the poor maps of the time.
Calvary officer Harry C. Benson was instrumental in mapping and naming
Yosemite’s high country. He also was an advocate of stocking the alpine
lakes of the Merced & Tuolumne Rivers’ headwaters with trout. The two
interests merged as he named the peaks and lakes around what is now Vogelsang
High Sierra Camp. Charles A. Vogelsang was the executive officer of the
California State Board of Fish and Game at the turn of the century and Arthur
G. Fletcher directed trout stocking in Yosemite’s alpine lakes. Two
other familiar names in the area, Babcock and Emeric, were also Fish and Game
commissioners. The US calvary eventually succeeded in ending sheepherding
in Yosemite, though hikers in the Vogelsang area today can still find markers
carved on trees by the Basque sheepherders over a century ago.
Vogelsang Hikers
Camp was originally built in 1924 alongside Booth Lake. This location
proved unsuccessful due to the poor drainage, difficulties with water supply,
and an over abundance of mosquitoes. The camp relocated to a site near
Tuolumne Pass in the early 1930’s. Finally in 1940 the camp moved to its
present location at the base of Fletcher Peak, close to Fletcher Lake.
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| After setting up camp near Fletcher Lake we enjoyed a fine dinner and entertainment by the staff |
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| Then it was alpenglow time |
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| The staff arrives for the daily light show... |
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| ...which seldom disappoints |
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| As night falls the camp gets quiet... |
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| ...as folks head to their tents and the temperature plummets (we are at 10,130') |
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| Morning light on Vogelsang Peak from our Fletcher Lake Camp |
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| We were a bit envious of the heated tents with beds but we did fine in our little backpack tents |
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| Packing and hot drinks before breakfast |
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| After breakfast... |
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| ...many hit the trail but this was our layover day to explore the Sierran Alpine Zone |
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| The camp director and his staff hammed it up for our cameras |
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| We headed up past Townsley Lake |
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| An impromptu photo shoot in this clear mountain light |
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| I head up the scree slope to Hanging Basket Lake (above the line of whitebark pines) |
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| Hanging Basket Lake |
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| Townsley Lake from Hanging Basket Lake |
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| When I get back Lauryn is enlightened and David is relaxed |
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| David & I hike past the corral on the way to Vogelsang Pass |
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| Fletcher Peak and Vogelsang Lake |
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| Approaching the pass |
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| Over the 10,650' pass the Sierra Crest unfolds from Maclure Peak to Mt Florence |
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| Back off the mountain we join our hiking friends for a great dinner and conversation |
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| Then the magic hour of alpenglow puts everyone into a quiet mood ready for sleep |
The next and last posting: Segment 6: Vogelsang to Tuolumne Meadows will complete our circuit of Yosemite's High Sierra Loop Trail.
Happy Trails to You! Bob
