Dusk in Lyell Canyon
Dusk in Lyell Canyon. Yosemite National Park. August 26, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
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Day Hikers at Ireland Lake
Hikers and Ireland Lake. Yosemite National Park. August 27, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
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Morning Light and Fletcher Lake
Morning Light, Fletcher Lake. Yosemite National Park. August 28, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
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Fletcher and Ireland Lakes Loop
Last night I returned from a quick pack trip out of Tuolumne Meadows. This trip visited very familiar terrain, encompassing a loop that I have traveled many times over the years.
Permits for my first choice entry up Rafferty Creek were gone when I arrived on Friday, so I got a permit for entry via Lyell Canyon. The most sensible place to camp when doing the loop in this direction is the junction of the John Muir Trail and the Ireland Lake Trail. This is a nearly flat six-mile walk out of Tuolumne, so I opted to spend some time in the Tioga/Tuolumne area before starting up the trail at about 2:00 in the afternoon.
On Saturday I headed up the Ireland Lake trail. This trail begins with a fairly stiff climb up the canyon below Potter Point. I was surprised that there was still quite a bit of green vegetation and even blooming flowers on this late-August weekend. Even with a late start I made it to the turnoff to Ireland Lake at noon. At this point the main trail goes straight ahead to Fletcher Lake via Evelyn Lake and the Ireland Lake trail climbs gradually to the left.
The surprising late-season greenery continued as I followed the trail toward Ireland Lake. Above the lake the hillside was covered with grasses and many wildflowers. I stopped above the lake to eat lunch and take some pictures before heading back and up over the ridge back to the northwest. From the ridge a cross-country route took me down to the plateau above Townsley Lake and then down to Fletcher Lake and my campsite.
I hiked on Sunday morning, following the usual Rafferty Creek route down to Tuolumne Meadows, arriving in time for lunch and the Meadows Grill.
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New Sleeping Bag
For the past few years – actually, longer than I had realized – I have most often used my Marmot Arroyo sleeping bag on Sierra summer pack trips. This is a lightweight bag (1 lb. 8 oz.) rated to 30 degrees. It has been just enough warmth for typical summer use – as long as I was ready to reinforce it by wearing extra clothes during colder weather.
However, this summer I learned that a 30-degree bag (leaving aside for a moment the question of what that rating really means) is only a 30-degree bag when first purchased. As it is used it loses loft and, as a result, warmth. This summer I was a bit cold on a significant number of nights, especially at elevations well above 10,000. On a couple of nights I never did get comfortably warm.
I’ve been eyeing the Marmot Helium 15-degree bag for a few years. This bag uses “900 fill down” which lofts much more per ounce. (Typical down is 550-650 fill.) Because of this, along with the use of lighter fabric and a half-length zipper, it weighs only 1 lb. 13 oz. – only a few ounces more than my Arroyo – and stuffs almost as small.
Despite the gear lust induced by this piece of equipment, I have managed to resist, partially because the old bag had been performing OK, and partily because the Helium retails for about $380. (Careful shoppers can find decent down bags on sale for half this price.)
Last week I found the Helium on sale for about $250 and couldn’t pass it up. I’ll post more about this bag after I have a chance to use it in the field.
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Responding to Readers
I want to reply to a couple of readers of this site who sent nice emails recently.
Gena Zolotar wrote to me earlier about New Almaden Quicksilver Park, where I frequently hike and photograph. I wrote back about some of my favorite trails. Last week Gena wrote back to report that she and her husband and daughter had finally gotten to the park and enjoyed a hike from the McAbee Road entrance. She has posted some photos at her web site (http://hikes.zolotar.com/aqcp/) along with some photos of Yosemite (http://hikes.zolotar.com/ynp/). In addition, she solved a mystery for me.
“I have been meaning to send a note saying that your “Orange flower. Almaden Quicksilver Park. May 1, 2005″ is a wind poppy (Stylomecon heterophylla). You had asked for an ID on your blog.”
Kait Hutnik wrote about some of my Calero Park photos, and I wrote back to tell her about a “use trail” that I enjoy in the park. She replied and gave me links materials she has posted on her web sites.
Here’s a link to the series I’ve taken during the winter bird counts and
spring wildflower hikes. I will definitely alert you as soon as I know the
dates.http://lightofmorn.com/html/birdcounts.htm
Also — for a quick nature fix, take a drive this fall/winter over Hicks
Road in San Jose? I sense that you’re like me, in that a well-used game
trail proves irresistible.
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Owens Valley Photographs
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Evening Flowers and Sierra Nevada Range. Owens Valley, California. May 30, 2005. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (Sales)
Evening Thunderstorm. Owens Valley, California. August 5, 2005. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)
Eastern Sierra Sunrise. Owens Valley, California. May 30, 2005. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell. (Sales)
Sunset Over Owens Valley. Sabrina Lake, California. September 30, 2006. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.
Crowley Lake, Owens Valley. August 6, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
Mono Craters. August 6, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
Desert morning near Mammoth, California. May 31, 2004.
Bush, high desert, Sierra crest in morning light. May 30, 2004.
High desert sunset near Mammoth. May 30, 2004.
Desert sunset near Mammoth, California. May 30, 2004.
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Crowley Lake
Crowley Lake, Owens Valley. August 6, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
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CrowleyLakeOwensValley2005|08|06
Crowley Lake, Owens Valley. August 6, 2005. © Copyright Dan Mitchell.
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Dan's Outside 
Matterhorn Peak Panorama
See this astonishing Sierra photographic panorama taken on Matterhorn Peak. (Warning: The link goes directly to the very large version of this file.) – Thanks to Yosemite Blog for the link.
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August 29, 2005 Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary | Comments Off on Matterhorn Peak Panorama