Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Yosemite High Sierra Camps Loop Hike

I am looking to find if anyone has done the loop hike through the High Sierra Camps including Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced, and Vogelsang, this year. While I realize that this year may be an exception as to previous years, and conditions may change, I will be there at the end of July and I am trying to get a feel for the following, so far:

Weather
River water levels
Mosquitos
Non-essential 'must-have' items
The ususal menu items served for breakfast, lunch, dinner

Any tips, tricks, or ideas welcome.

Jennifer,

I backpacked from Tuolumne Meadows through Vogelsang and did the loop to Merced Lake and back to Tuolumne about 2 weeks ago. Water crossings and snow were not issues at all. The biggest problem was mosquitos. They were swarming us everywhere we went and the Deet only helped a little. They will hopefully be better by the end of July as a lot of the meadows were still a little swampy when we went through. Other than that it was a beautiful trip.

Scott

Two years ago I backpacked from Toulumne passing thru Vogelsang and stayed a night at Merced. The following day went to Sunrise and spent a night there. Following day we went out to Tuolumne. This trip was done in the first part of August.
Stream crossing were not a problem anywhere. Mosquitos were only an issue at Sunrise but that was minimal. The food at the HSC I've been to is fantastic. Breakfast and dinner are second to none and plenty of food. You will not go hungry. Breakfast was coffee, tea, hot cereal, eggs, potatoes, pancakes etc. Dinners were either chicken, pork roast, meat, veggies, soup, salad etc.
The people running the camps do a great job and are very friendly.
Have a great trip.
Joe

Thanks Scott and Joe.
I appreciate your taking the time to reply, very informative and helpful. I can't wait to make the trip.

I've stayed a at Sunrise Camp a few times on different backpacking trips that originated in the valley. Once I actually stayed in a canvas tent (it was comfortable)... the other times I just set up camp and ate meals there. As has already been mentioned, the food was great! Especially comparing it to my usual backpacking fare. Mosquitoes varied from year to year, but I don't seem to remember them being intolerable.

This year, though, I'll be doing the Loop trail also. One of my older sisters had always wanted to to this loop trail, and didn't want to go by herself so I'm joining her. It will be fun...I'm not real excited about all the people, but I've never been to Vogelsang, May Lake or Merced Lake, so it will be interesting seeing new places.

Non-essential "must have" items for me would be my harmonica. Other than extra socks and underwear, I don't bring any extra clothing. I bring my bathing suit if I feel like going for a dip, and wear it while washing my clothes.

When are you going? We are leaving on Tuesday, July 31st from Tuolumne. Maybe we'll see you.

Hi rosabella: Thanks for the response.

I didn't think about a bathing suit, good idea. I am doing the loop with three friends and we'll be leaving Tuolumne on Thursday, July 26-heading to Glen Aulin and then head out from Vogelsang on Monday, July 30, to drive home that day, so it looks like we'll miss you. Your sister is lucky to have you, have fun!

Only a week to go--can't wait!

You may want to take a look at the Yosemite daily report: (updated daily)

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/daily2.htm

There is updated bear activity (note Glen Aulin is on the list) and more active this year with less precipitation. All camps have steel bear boxes so you do not need to bring bear proof containers.

I hiked from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin (800 foot loss of elevation) in 2004, even taking my time it was *only* 3 hours for 5.7 miles so recommend eating lunch at Tuolumne before taking off unless the group has slow hikers. I went to all the camps but not on the same trip. Sunrise gets cold in the morning like around freezing or a little bit above, but warms rapidly. Vogelsang may be the most scenic and does get cool at night, maybe a little warmer than Sunrise. Merced Lake is usually the 'warmest' at night. May Lake has a lake Mt. Hoffman next to it, a day hike to the top of the mtn. Glen Aulin has a waterfall next to it. All camps except Merced Lake have wood burning heaters in the tents. Any light is provided by the sun, flashlight or candle, no city lights.

Mosquitoes were a non-issue in August. Water was not a problem at the camps when I went but Sunrise camp had a 'water emergency' in 2004 for some reason. Always take extra. Camera and flashlights are a must. No beverages or alcohol are sold at the camps so you will need to bring your own. Any other sauces (soy, worcestershire, A1, cayenne, tabasco, kosher salt, etc) bring your own, most likely they do not have at the camps. The camps serve dinners at 6:30 pm, breakfast at 7:30 AM. You can buy sack lunches from the camps the night before to eat on the trail. Usually some sort of sandwich, few snacks and fruit (apple or orange). All camps have the same food each day on a rotating menu so your food should not be repeated for dinner on a 6-day trip.

$20 admission fee to get in the park. Buy batteries & camera film or SD memory in the cities, not in the park where it's 2-3x more. Walking stick (or old ski poles) helps. Take bug repellent & suntan lotion in case. Bring a water bladder (2 gal minimum) you can fill the bladder at the camps, each has several faucets and the water quality is checked often. Glen Aulin and Vogelsang do not have showers so plan accordingly. Tuolumne Lodge has showers for non-campers at a nominal fee and restricted hours.

Approximate elevations are: Tuolumne Meadows elevation 8600 feet, Glen Aulin 7800 feet, May Lake 9250 feet, Sunrise 9400 feet, Merced Lake 7200 feet, Vogelsang 10200 feet. I used my GPS for elevations.

More general information about the camps here: http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accomodations_HighSierraCamps.aspx

Send me a PM, I'll get you a link to 2003/04 and 2006 pictures if you want to take a look.

My experience with the mosquitos this year is it has been a mild year for them. Although they are heavy in places they don't seem to be lasting as long in such high numbers. I think you'll have some on your trip but my guess is they won't be overwhelming. Bring a bottle of 100% DEET and you'll probably finish your trip before you run out.

I always hike the Yosemite back country in August. No mosquitos & great weather!

Thanks 395fun2drive, Kurt, and kim fin, much appreciated!

Hello, Tothetrail!!
I just returned from doing the loop you described (July 16-21, 2007.)
1. Weather: It was glorious, temperatures between low 80s during the day and 40s at night. Almost no clouds, incredible sunsets. Get out of your tent after the moon sets for spectacular stars.

2. River water levels: Not an issue. All creeks were very easy to cross. There was running water along the way each day. If you bring a water pump/filter, you will never need to carry more than a liter of water at a time.

3. Mosquitos: I think I used DEET once. The whole area is pretty dry.

4. Must-have items:

WALKING POLE/S!! You will be doing your knees a favor. I used only one. Some of my companions used two. I'm not sure there was much difference. Since I was taking photos along the way, I liked having one hand free.

SUN SCREEN. The sun is very intense, especially walking over bare rock.

FOOT CARE PRODUCTS (e.g. Moleskin). After the ten-mile walk downhill from Sunrise to Merced Lake, several of us worked up truly spectacular blisters.

CASH!! Although you can buy whatever you want at each camp with a credit card, you will also want to bring cash to tip the young people who work there. They really do rely on tips, and they do a terrific job, so I'd suggest $5 a night minimum as a way to say thanks.

5. Food: The food served at the camps was terrific. At 7 AM, tey set out hot coffee and water for tea and hot chocolate. Then breakfast at 7:30 AM. Breakfast each day was hot cereal with raisins, brown sugar and coconut, then pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Lots of coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Hot beverages are set out again at 6 PM. Dinner is at 6:30 PM. Dinner each night was plentiful and delicious. They serve the same food at each camp each night (e.g. Monday was chicken night, Tuesday was pasta, Wednesday was fish, etc.), although each cook can prepare it the way he/she wants to. For example, we had halibut baked in parchment one night, steak teriyaki another, chicken with a basil pesto sauce, etc. There were also excellent vegetables, freshly baked bread, sinful desserts. I don't think the box lunches were worth the price ($12+). You can buy an excellent, filling sandwich a la carte for $3+. The stores at each camp sell candy bars, trail mix, fruit, etc.

I'll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!

NinaJane

NinaJane:

You have certainly delivered on my request, thanks so much.

A couple of questions:

My traveling companions are trying to figure out how much supplemental food they should bring. They are rather finicky. Might you remember which main course was served, each night? We will be in an HSC on Thursday, Friday Saturday, and Sunday nights.

Did you happen to make the day hike to Waterwheel Falls out of Glen Aulin? We are trying to figure out if that side trip will be worth making since it sounds like the water levels are so low.

Are there any other day trips out of any of the camps that you guys did? Do you recall anyone talking about doing a day hike to Clouds Rest, or might you have done that?

One last question. Is it still correct that showers are not available at Glen Aulin and Vogelsang?

Thanks again, I still can't get over how nice and helpful everyone on this forum has been.

Just got back from the Sierra High Camps yesterday.

Dinners: Thursday we had Pork Tenderloin, Friday chicken, Saturday Steak, Sunday we were out and ate at the lodge. You also have the option of ordering vegetarian. I don't eat steak & they whipped me up a fabulous spinach & bean thing. I don't know how picky your friends are at eating, but they keep bringing you bread if you ask for it. One can always fill up on bread and butter. Soup & Salad preceed each meal also.

I brought no supplemental food (just more weight.) The lunches are expensive but satisfied me for the day. I think all the camps had the options for sandwiches of: turkey & cheese, ham & cheese, PB&J, PB & honey, or vegetarian. Just the sandwich was $3.25. The lunch would include a piece of fruit, juice box, small bag of nuts or trail mix and usually a cookie. Also there is candy for sale at each camp. And a couple camps have baked goods for sale.

Yes, it is correct that there are no showers at Vogelsang or Glen Aulin. Very soon there will be none available at Sunrise too we heard.

We had one friend go down to waterwheel falls. He said it was still worth it. Clouds Rest - that would be a very ambitious day!

I never used my deet. Although the black flies did attack in a few places.

Tips & Tricks:

Don't sit at a table with 4 or 5 big guys. They eat all the food.

Use your firewood for a morning fire. We had one guy get up at 6am every morning and start the fire. It rocked! You can set up the fire to be started the night before. It got down to 30 when we were at Sunrise.

Have fun! You are going to love it!