High Sierra Topix

Of course it's time to plan the main summer hike and start applying for permits. Though I've been through the IIlilouette Canyon many times I've never stopped at the Merced Pass Lakes (Upper and Lower). Simple question: which is one better for an overnight camp? From photos, the lower lake looks to have extensive marshes (read mosquitos and lack of good camp sites). The upper lake seems to have a lack of good campsites. Can anyone provide some insight on this?

-Thanks
-Ken

Neither. I would continue up to Lower Ottaway Lake or even Upper Ottaway Lake.

Neither. I would continue up to Lower Ottaway Lake or even Upper Ottaway Lake.

I agree. I've camped at Upper Merced Pass Lake and Lower Ottoway and Ottoway is far better for any and all criteria. Upper Ottaway also looked far better though I didn't camp there.

Yes, upper Ottoway is very nice. Upper Merced Pass Lake is better than Lower MPL IMO. Though small, you'll likely have it to yourself with a nice camp spot.

Thanks everyone. Thanks for the great info Dave. I've been passing by the Merced Pass Lakes on my way to Lower Ottoway for about 50 years and never even stopped for a peak. But my age is catching up to me making big distances even harder. I may need an option as that last uphill to L. Ottoway is pretty tough especially after the march up the Illiluote Canyon (or the Fernandez Pass direction). But L. Ottoway is a worthy goal as it is one of the best lakes in the central Sierra. (IMO). The sunsets are amazing.

Happy Hiking!
-Ken

(Daisy: I don't think I've ever seen a picture of Upper Ottoway from that vantage point. Awesome!)

I agree with Daisy. Lower Ottoway is magical.

Upper Merced Pass Lake is nice enough and does have a few good flat areas to camp. However, I agree that Lower/Upper Ottoway Lakes are nicer, but after a long day that last uphill may not be worth it.


Aug. 2020 camped near the southwest shore of Upper Merced Pass Lake


Upper Merced Pass Lake

Even since I read an article about 10 years ago, I've wanted to make it to LMPS for the nostalgia factor. As such, lower Merced Pass Lake up to Ottoway Lakes has always been my "plan B" hike if I didn't get a particular permit for a trailhead. Fortunately, I've always gotten my "plan A" trips and have still yet to make it out there. But I'll get there eventually, however, I was going to access it from Sierra National Forest and do a loop over Red Peak Pass.

https://www.activenorcal.com/rememberin ... -yosemite/

My report from 2016 might be helpful:
viewtopic.php?t=14806&hilit=mono+meadows

I thought Upper Merced Pass Lake was just OK, but Lower Ottoway was spectacular. We did not try to get all the way to Lower Ottoway in a day, but started midday from Mono Meadows and camped the first night at the Clark Fork crossing of the trail. Doing it all the way to Ottoway in a day might have been possible if we had started earlier, but we did not try. We missed Lower Merced Lake entirely--it was not visible from the trail as I recall, and Upper Ottoway has an obvious use trail to it leaving from the intersection. We went over there for lunch.

kpeter wrote: ↑Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:40 pm My report from 2016 might be helpful:
viewtopic.php?t=14806&hilit=mono+meadows

I thought Upper Merced Pass Lake was just OK, but Lower Ottoway was spectacular. We did not try to get all the way to Lower Ottoway in a day, but started midday from Mono Meadows and camped the first night at the Clark Fork crossing of the trail. Doing it all the way to Ottoway in a day might have been possible if we had started earlier, but we did not try. We missed Lower Merced Lake entirely--it was not visible from the trail as I recall, and Upper Ottoway has an obvious use trail to it leaving from the intersection. We went over there for lunch.

Exactly what we did, years ago. Entering the park through Big Oak Flat, getting our permit, and driving over to Mono Meadows took up most of the morning. Lunch at Lower Merced Pass Lake, and then camped at Lower Ottaway.

On the way back, we made it as far as the crossing of Illilouette Creek before stopping for the night, leaving a very short climb up to Mono Meadows the next morning. I think it might be about 15 miles from Mono Meadows to Lower Ottaway? More than us old people can manage in a day--or at least want to manage!