A Backpack to the Remote Lyell Fork of the Merced River

Vogelsang Lake is on the right, and look to the left to see the rock-lined trail.

Vogelsang Pass (North)

A Trail and Cross-Country Route to the Lyell Fork, July 2007

DAY 2, 10 Miles, 2226 feet of gain and 3200 feet of loss from Vogelsang Lake to "Waterfall Camp" on the lip of Lyell Fork Canyon.

As soon as it was light enough to see, we were up and packing. Dave had a bad night for sleep, but I had my usual off and on night and was rested well enough. This would be a rough day of hiking for Dave, but an easier day for me than the day before, even though it was more miles and more altitude gain and loss. It would be a new un-hiked trail day for us both, which is always a good thing. Dave left camp and hit the trail long before I left: I had to get the kitchen put away and reorganize my somewhat complex pack. We would meet at the next trail junction.

For anybody who was doing the next section for the first time, this part would be perhaps the highlight of the trip. For me, it was the third time in recent years, so the wonder was a bit dulled for me because I knew what was coming. Still, this next section is a marvel of the Sierra.

The lower part of the trail coming out of Vogelsang Lake.

The next 445 feet of gain and 1.1 miles to the north side of Vogelsang Pass is pretty easy for the rested hiker starting in the Vogelsang Lake area. From the outlet the trail gradually gains altitude, hooking wide around the lake affording wide ranging unobstructed views should one pauses for breath. The views improve by the inclusion of the lake below as part of the vista north. Once again, it pays to keep close attention to the trail because after a bit of climbing, it takes a hard left over a small stream, and some might be led astray by continuing up-hill on an apparent path. The walking is fairly easy on often hard rock trail that often swishes back and forth up the bowl of Vogelsang Lake. At one point further up the trail, the trail traverses a steep slope, crosses another small seasonal stream, and steeply climbs above the pass before finally leveling out to traverse down towards the pass. Before entering the pass, I turned for one last look down into the Vogelsang Lake bowl and the views beyond.

Vogelsang Pass looking south from the north end of the pass.

Dropping into the north end of the pass, I entered a grassy level area with ponds, a sort of pocket of level high country between worlds that obscured views in all directions. At the south end of the pass (10,695 Feet), the trail climbed up on granite to traverse around a rocky nose that was like a balcony high above a Sierra wonderland of mind-bending views. This…is what you come to the Sierra for...