A Backpack to the Remote Lyell Fork of the Merced River

In 1991, I came down this slope of these cascades on the north-west shore. The trail is on the other side of the creek.

Fletcher/Emeric Creek Cascades

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

The next section was a continuation of the pleasant forest of the Babcock Lake basin. After a while the forest thins out and we could see on our left that Fletcher Creek was abruptly becoming a cascade. Here we took off our extra warm clothing because from here on the trail would be all uphill until we reached the valley next to Emeric Lake (about the same altitude). It is also here the intrepid backpacker can leave the trail and cross the creek so they can follow the creek upward to Emeric Lake. Back in 1991 I came down from Emeric Lake on this route, which was easy (going downhill anyway). We will visit Emeric Lake in a bit.

In 2005 I walked along the cascade on the south-east shore. The trail is nearby to the right.

The trail wound its way upward and despite the work it was a bit cold, but not too bad. Eventually the trail reaches Fletcher Creek where it is a cascade over continuous sloped granite. Again a deviation from the trail is possible by walking over to the creek and following the creek all the way to the top on solid granite, as I did in ’05. This is a must for photographers who want to take great pictures of this wondrous cascade. It is one of the great features of Yosemite and should not be missed. If you are coming down from above this way, walking along Fletcher Creek is a must. Just be careful and stay off wet rock.

Looking down the cascades from near the top. On the top edge you can see the nemesis of the trip, a mosquito! (2007)

The very top of the cascade with Fletcher Peak in the distance.

This area also features the most open continuous expanses of unbroken granite since "Babcock Dome" and the Lyell Fork. Walking along the creeks is pretty easy travel. This would be a great area to spend a day or two exploring if you were camped at Emeric Lake.