High Sierra ~ A day walking 20 Lakes Basin, (see report), and then a few days walking Yosemite's High Sierra Camps, a set of luxury camps with tent & great food for hungry walkers (see my 2009 how-to report). Over the years I have walked most of this scenic route, but this time my plan faltered. The walk began that first day at Glacier Point for a finish at Merced Lake, and then continue beyond the next few days. The 15 mile walk in over the majestic Panoramic Trail past the Little Yosemite Valley campground and to Merced Lake turned out to be a walk too far. At mile 11 I opted for an unscheduled overnight, returning 3 miles (200' loss) to LYV rather than completing the 4 miles (1000' gain) to Merced Lake. Telling my story to the Ranger at LYV I was loaned a sleeping bag for the night. A wise decision.

Pictures left-to-right, top-down: (1) Yosemite's Liberty Cap, (2) 20 Lakes Basin, (3) Seep-Spring Monkey Flower at Helen Lake, (4) Wild Onion at Hummingbird Lake.

20 Lakes Basin ~ The 8 mile, easy to walk, loop trail starting from Saddlebag Lake is one of my favorite walks when I'm on the eastern edge of Yosemite. Click SaddlebagReport.pdf for a PDF copy of this report with large map.

Wild Onion along the shore of Hummingbird Lake.

Seep-Spring Monkey Flower ~ Prolific, this dense yellow bloom thrives in the drainage leading to Lake Helen.

Sierra Columbine ~ Along the east shore of Lake Helen I have observed this magnificent flower over many summer visits (late July and August). This very special treat is the Sierra Columbine. Unlike Columbine elsewhere, these flowers are nearly 3 inches in size with colors from white to blushing pink.

Sierra Columbine ~ This blushing pink Sierra Columbine is reason enough to walk the Saddlebag loop to the east shore of Lake Helen.

Sierra Columbine

Helen Lake ~ The winter of 2012 was dry, and by July the water level at Helen Lake was very low. The two-log bridge usually necessary to cross the creek outlet was more decoration than function. But I am thankful it is there for the normal/wet years.

Cascade above Helen Lake

Steelhead Lake

Liberty Cap Nearby Nevada Fall ~ Nevada Fall in Yosemite can be reached by walking trails either from the valley floor or as I did from Glacier Point along the Panoramic trail. The Panoramic trail, my favorite, follows the cliff face overlooking the valley below often with stupendous views.

Liberty Cap with Half Dome in the background.

Posing with a panoramic view of Half Dome (on left) and Liberty Cap (to right). The fallen half of Half Dome is on the unseen far side, whereas this view makes the dome look more like the back of a sleeping giant.