Yosemite & the Sierra Nevada - California - page 996

HIGH SIERRA CAMPS

In the backcountry near Tuolumne Meadows, the exceptionally popular High Sierra
Camps provide shelter and sustenance to hikers who'd rather not carry food or a tent.
The camps - called Vogelsang ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ), Merced Lake ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ),
Sunrise ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ), May Lake ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) and Glen Aulin ( MAP
GOOGLE MAP ) - are set 6 to 10 miles apart along a loop trail. They consist of dormitory-
style canvas tent cabins with beds, blankets or comforters, plus showers (at May Lake,
Sunrise and Merced Lake - subject to water availability) and a central dining tent. Guests
bring their own sheets and towels. The rate is $161 per adult ($102 for children seven to
twelve) per night, including breakfast and dinner. Organized hiking or saddle trips led by
ranger naturalists are also available (from $928).
A short season (roughly late June to September) and high demand mean that there's a
lottery for reservations. Applications ( 559-253-5672; www.yosemitepark.com ) are cur-
rently accepted in September and October only. If you don't have a reservation, call from
February to check for cancellations. Dates vary year to year, so watch the website for up-
dates.

Hetch Hetchy & Big Oak Flat Road

Crane Flat Campground CAMPGROUND
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Big Oak Flat Rd; tent & RV sites $20; Jun-Sep)
Large family campground at 6192ft, with 166 sites; reservations required.

Hodgdon Meadow Campground CAMPGROUND
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; Big Oak Flat Rd; tent & RV sites $14-20; year-round)
Utilitarian and crowded 105-site campground at 4872ft; reservations required mid-April to
mid-October.

Dimond O Campground CAMPGROUND
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 877-444-6777; www.recreation.gov ; Evergreen Rd; tent & RV sites $24;

May-mid-Sep)