A version of this route was originally recorded on Instagram (but not Strava) by Alex Honnold. This is a popular backpacking route for those that want to avoid Yosemite crowds, capture epic scenery, and see Yosemite in all its glory.
This is a loop (with a short stem) in a remote part of Yosemite. The starting trailhead is Mono Meadow (located off of Glacier Point road). The stem descends about 1000 vertical feet in 3.4 miles. Stay to the right (southeast) to head toward Ottoway Lakes. Continue on the loop heading up to those lakes and then to Red Peak Pass. Head over the pass and down to the next junction (continuing to stay to the left). Continue down the trail toward Washburn Lake and then Merced High Sierra Camp. The loop travels west toward (and past) Nevada Falls. Continue staying to the left until the trail heads south to connect with the original stem. Ascend the final 1000' of gain back to the Mono Meadow trailhead.
Comments
I'll give this a go tomorrow 05JUL2024 shooting for sub 14-h to be below AH's time.Live tracking will be available here:
https://share.garmin.com/share/ceahenry
Had a great day out there but did not hit goal time! (Actual time: 17:52, trip report: https://www.strava.com/activities/11821980275)
Heading out tomorrow to do a variation of the loop out of the valley. Happy Isles - counter clockwise. Hoping the “cooler” temps will mask the additional elevation gain!
It was a lovely romp! Understandably, the way I did the route does not align with the original description and thus not qualifiable to add my name to the board. I clocked 50.03 miles and 12,452 feet gained and lost taking me a solid 15 hours and 49 minutes and 37 seconds. What the watch won’t tell you is where the snakes are…so keep your eyes peeled! Good luck everyone - which ever direction you choose! Be sure to plan some time to swim at least twice!
https://strava.app.link/Y9UYz2HxHVb
On September 20th, I ran this loop with Connor Williams, starting and ending at Happy Isles. Trailhead-to-trailhead distance seemed to be about 48.8 miles, ~8700ft gain, and we completed it in a time of roughly 11 hours and 40 minutes. This start/end location seemed more logical than the current FKT route. Won't qualify for the FKT unfortunately! Maybe We'll come back next year....
Great route, amazing weather, and didn't see any other people for the middle 40 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/15888687810