A Backpack to the Remote Lyell Fork of the Merced River

In some places, the trail was clearly marked...to say the least. Mt. Clark keeps the skyline company.

Lewis Creek Canyon

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

Almost immediately the trail plunged into a thick forest. This did not last long because soon the views opened up and the trail neared Lewis Creek to treat me to a section of canyon that is a joy to any backpacker. Now the Lewis Creek streambed became almost pure granite that hosted a wonderland of many falls, waterslides, pools and cascades. The first time I visited this area, I left the trail where I could to follow the stream downward on slab granite. A favorite spot was where the stream hooked around to fall over a slab aligned with the overall direction of the stream, and into a joint that sluiced the stream to a broad fan of water racing down the canyon.

Lewis Creek zig-zags its way down the granite bottomed canyon.

Even off trail, it was easy travel down canyon. There were so many spots that provided wild chairs of rocks and spots to rest packs while inviting the hiker to doff the boots and do some wading or fishing or both. Some of the pools were so deep blue-green and clear that it was hard to resist stripping down and jumping in. The waterslides looked like they were worth a try too. It was really a water wonderland of the wildest kind.

One of the many falls and cascades of Lewis Creek canyon. One word to describe the canyon: intimate. A cozy canyon with the walls always close by.