A Backpack to the Remote Lyell Fork of the Merced River

One of my favorite pictures and an ideal spot. On the left a place for packs and to sit, easy access to water and pools nearby.

To The Lewis Creek High Trail Junction

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

The canyon was a great joy of the Sierra and I now have fond memories. The pictures on this page will help you see why I think this canyon is special.

Eventually the waterslides were left behind or beyond near views and the terrain changed once again.

Anybody want to do some watersliding?

Another sidefilling cascade. Most of these pictures where taken in 2005.

Slides, cascades, pools and water-music everywhere.

Not all was beauty. Unlike a few years ago, this time (2007) I was seeing far more dead trees.

The trail now took to side hilling in steep tree-crowded canyon, and when the trail began to climb away from the creek, I knew I was nearing the trail junction of the High Trail. Sure enough, after leveling out for a ways the trail reached the dry junction where Dave was waiting for me.

Dave suffered a bad night of sleep and I don’t think the spectacular canyon improved his mood. We both sat down to an early "Lunch Part 1" and some energy drinks. I found out I had made a real blunder by 1) not lacing my left boot tight enough and 2) not trimming the toenail of the large toe of the left foot and 3) leaving the nail clippers behind. The toenail was really battered and threatening to become detached (and thus painful!). That was way too much downhill for that toenail. I also did not recognize this in total quick enough either. Live and learn. I was actually glad to be going uphill for a while, after a good rest. And rest we did, drying out our sweaty feet before taking on the next phase of the day’s task.