The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls
Sunset over McGee Lake. Mt. Conness(12,590 Feet) is reflected in the water of the lake. I climbed that peak from Young Lakes, but there is a very exposed climbing move on the summit on the so-called Class 2 route.
McGee Lake
The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls, June 2004The trail along McGee Lake is a pleasant one in mostly deep shaded cover. I could tell I was off the main route because the trail looked like a real narrow backcountry wilderness track instead of a wide dusty trampled boulevard where you expected to see a traffic light at any moment.
The way was level in park-like surroundings, and as I strolled along, I looked for camping. I saw only a few possible spots, but nothing established or worth stopping for. I kept going and going and still no camp, and after a while I began to run out of lake. Well, I would try the other side of the lake if possible. I got to the end of this very nice walk along the lake when I looked across the south-west outlet and saw an open grassy level area. McGee is one of those rare lakes that have outlets on both ends of the lake. I rock-hopped across the outlet and found the grassy area and a camp. Plenty of level ground and very comfortable surroundings with great views along the Lake.
I dropped my pack and wrote a note for Dave, then walked back down the lake about half way and positioned the note under a rock where he could not miss it. Back in camp, I sat a spell to rest, then did some exploring.
Morning by McGee Lake.
Directly south of point 9134 there is a nice slope leading to a ridge, From that ridge I had a great view of the valley of Cathedral Creek, the falls of which I saw the day before in the Tuolumne River canyon. The trail below me continued on to a fork to Ten Lake Basin, May Lake and the Polly Dome Lakes (and beyond to Tenaya Lake).
On the other side of the outlet south of McGee Lake was a hill with some giant level flat slabs with even more views of the basin to the south-west. You have to wonder what a walk down Cathedral Creek would be like.
Back in camp I sat and waited for Dave. I finally saw him and had to yell for him before he gave up looking and turned back. He totally missed the note I left for him.
After setting up and dinner we took our chairs back to the flat slabs and views and burned up the evening enjoying the sights. Then it was darkness, sleeping bags and sleep.
