A Backpack to the Remote Lyell Fork of the Merced River

Bernice Lake near where the trail from below meets the lake looking east. Note the trail on the left. Parsons Peak (which overlooks Ireland Lake on the other side) is on the left horizon, and Simmons Peak is on the right. There are seven fair sized lakes up in that canyon as well as a number of small ones.

Bernice Lake

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

Bernice Lake is a lake at that Sierra ideal altitude (10,206 feet) right near tree line where there are still plenty of trees of various sizes for good sheltered camping, but not so many as to obstruct the high Sierra views. The trees extent covers about half the lake shoreline while the southeast side was bare steep granite and talus. There was plenty a Sierra lawn along the shores to complete the picture of an ideal Sierra lake.

Bernice Lake in the early morning light.

I hung a left after I hit the lake and passed what looked like former camps the Rangers had returned to the wild: no matter, because there were better camps ahead. After a short distance I came on a perfect backpacker camp on the right, with tree sheltered spots for backpacker tents, shelters or bivys, and a made to order kitchen area with plenty of flat granite surfaces for cooking, while still managing to look natural. I wish I had taken pictures, but at that time I was still using film cameras. It was one of the all time best camps I have ever stayed in: nice.

A sun-dazzeled image of Bernice Lake.