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Connecting Tuolumne Pass and the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp with Merced Lake via Vogelsang Pass and Lewis Creek.


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Map Key

6.5

Miles

10.4

KM

Point to Point

10,665' 3,251 m

High

8,177' 2,492 m

Low

2,539' 774 m

Up

570' 174 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers

Both national park and federal wilderness area regulations and restrictions apply here. A wilderness permit is required for all overnight wilderness use and MUST be in your possession while in the wilderness.

Practice Leave No Trace (LNT) backcountry skills and ethics. Camp 100 feet from fragile areas; bury human waste at least 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites.

This trail is usually covered by snow between November and June.

Need to Know

Federal regulations require you to properly store all your food wherever you are in Yosemite National Park. Your food must be stored unless it's within arm's reach (so no going for a swim or taking a nap while leaving food out). Food includes all food and drinks—regardless of packaging—along with trash, toiletries, and other scented items. These items must be stored in either an allowed bear-resistant food container or food locker. Hanging food is illegal throughout Yosemite National Park.

All pets are prohibited.

Description

From the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, this trail climbs easily to Vogelsang Pass between Vogelsang and Fletcher Peaks. The views on the way to the pass and from the pass itself are amazing! From the pass, the trail makes a short, but steep, descent to a crossing of Lewis Creek near its headwaters. The trail then begins an easy descent of the valley alongside Lewis Creek, passing a junction with the Bernice Lake Trail shortly after crossing Lewis Creek.

Along the way, you'll pass where Florence Creek cascades into Lewis Creek over a series of granite slabs and where Lewis Creek itself flows over similar slabs. The trail in this area passes through open areas and patches of forest. About 3.0 miles from the pass, the trail leaves creek, passes a junction with the Merced River Shelf trail, and then descends to end at a junction with the Emeric Lake Trail and the trail to the Merced River Valley.

Shared By:

BK Hope

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#738

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#95

in California

#738

Overall
19 Views Last Month
5,129 Since Dec 31, 2018
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

At the headwaters of Lewis Creek
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Vogelsang Lake from Vogelsang Pass
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Looking southwest from Vogelsang Pass
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Volgelsang Peak
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Florence Creek cascades into Lewis Creek
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA
Along Lewis Creek
Dec 29, 2018 near Yosemit…, CA

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Check-Ins

Sep 10, 2020
Don Childrey
6.5mi
Jun 27, 2019
Dakota Melland
Sep 2, 2018
Paul O
After hike from Merced HSC. Arrival at “outlaw” backpacker’s area, across stream from Vogelsang HSC. Avoiding official, barren backpacker’s area.…
Jul 20, 2018
Tyler Rowlette
Jun 20, 2018
Sophia Barwegen
6mi
Jun 19, 2018
Dave Emery
mosquitoes were bad in mid June. Have a bug net. I didn't.
Sep 25, 2015
CruxyChez Sanchez
Sep 6, 2015
BK Hope
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