At the end of August, I set out on another solitary backpacking trip into the Tuolumne back country in Yosemite National Park. Day one climbed from Tuolumne Meadows up to Townsley lake via the Rafferty creek trail. It was a great climb with absolutely no mosquitoes. Day two I climbed off trail over an 11000 foot pass to the remote and fantastically beautiful Ireland lake. I summited a gorgeous 11500 foot unnamed peak as well as the splendid 12000 foot Amelia Earhart Peak. Third day was spent strolling (briskly) 12 miles down to and out of Lyell Canyon back to Tuolumne Meadows. Following are some of the images I took along the way. If there are any packbackers out there who are interested in 3-6 day trips into the Sierras, please let me know.

Jim Affinito
jamesaffinito@yahoo.com

The images below are large and very detailed. They should be viewed at full size. Clicking on the images will expand them larger than your screen so that you can scroll around them. Enjoy

Yosemite mules.

Unnamed peak in the distance is another 1500 foot climb. Tomorrow.

Vogelsang peak is visible on the right. My first night camp was in the green patch left of center above the lake. It was a truly splendid campsite.

The noble Marmot in repose

Fletcher lake at dusk

Forest fire sunset

A good morning.

Townsley lake.

First view of Ireland lake.

Wind on Ireland lake.

From the summit of unnamed 11,500 foot peak above Ireland lake. View is Southwest.

Tent

Marmot, alert.

Packbackers getting water.

Find my tent.

Tarns below Ireland lake.

Plants are hearty and tough at 12,000 feet.

Alpine lake splendor.

My tent is there... somewhere

Where's the tent?

Sturdy lil tent.

Ireland Lake Tundra!

Dusk of the second day. My closest neighbors.

Setting out down to Lyell Canyon.

Below Amelia Earhart Peak and Ireland lake. Looking back.

Potter Point.... still pointing up.

Hiking out Lyell Canyon looking northwest.

The noble Ground Squirrel in repose.

Arriving finally in Tuolumne Meadows after a brisk 12 mile hike, I am greeted by an aloof but affectionate group of pack llamas.

From June 21st to June 24th I set out on a solo backpacking adventure in the Yosemite high Sierra. I left from Tuolumne Meadows (elev. 8600 ft.) and made my first camp at Vogelsang lake (elev. 10,200 ft.) (7.5 miles). Day 2 made the descent down to Merced lake (elev 7300 ft.)(8 miles). Day 3 climbed up to Sunrise High Sierra camp (elev. 9300 ft.)(10 miles). On day 4 I hiked out to Tenaya lake (6 miles) and hitchhiked back to my car. This was one of the most beautiful backpacking trips of my life so far and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Following are some of the photos I took along the way.

Jim Affinito

Lupines on the Merced river start my trip.

Early on the trail fro Tuolumne Meadows to Vogelsang Lake.

Mount Dana

Ghost of a tree.

Fat marmot eating mule poop.

Trail to Vogelsang

Mule train leaving Vogelsang High Sierra camp.

View south from camp at Vogelsang lake.

View north from camp at Vogelsang lake.

Preparing a breakfast of oatmeal and mosquitoes at Vogelsang lake.

A cloud of mosquitoes descending upon me.

Vogelsang lake from camp

Vogelsang peak. First night camp was in the thin band of trees on the distant ridge directly beneath the saddle.