The Ottoway Lakes Loop

The outlet waters of Merced Lake, with the trail blasted out of the solid rock of this granite spillway.

Merced Lake Outlet

The Ottoway Lakes Loop, September 2004

Why there was no easy approach along the river before trails becomes obvious as you leave the outlet on the trail and see the granite trough of the Merced River. The trail builders had to blast the trail out of solid rock along this section, and is one of the engineering marvels of Yosemite. An up and over trail would have been easier on the landscape, but there is no denying how scenic is this section of trail. Late season the river is a long solid granite waterside that may make a great area for water play. Early season it is a flume for the raging waters of the Merced.

My brother demonstrates the art of sunburning: bring sunblock on your backpack trips. He was not a happy camper that night. This was taken near the outlet of Merced Lake. No missing the trail on this section.

Solomons and party (with stock!) did manage to get to Merced Lake along here with no trails to guide them, with an approach from below Clouds Rest. They went on to Washburn Lake and up to the upper Merced canyon. How they managed to get beyond the Lyell fork and up into the upper canyon is a mystery to me. Nice mountaineering work with stock.