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Yosemite National Park: Breeze Lake Backpacking Loop

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Author: billhilton
Activity: Not Specified
State: California (CA)
Distance: 17.34 mi 
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Rating: Unrated  
Rate this trip

Camp under sharp peaks and sharper stars on this 4-day, 20-mile tour along the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Summits, swimming holes, and trout abound. TO TRAILHEAD: From the Oakhurst Ranger Station, go R 1.8 miles on CA 41. Turn R on Sky Ranch Rd.; go 8.4 miles, bear L at fork. Turn L in 3.1 miles, then R in 1.5 miles. Go R in 1.7 miles (pass Fresno Dome Campground); road gets bumpy. Bear L in 3.2 miles, then R at next 3 forks, staying on main road. At 8.8 miles from last left, turn L; in .3 miles, turn R to arrive at trailhead.

DIRECTIONS + WAYPOINTS: helping you find your way

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

BLL01

Distance: 4.75 mi Points: 1197
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Breeze Lake Loop Track 1

BLL04

Distance: 3.10 mi Points: 769
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Gale Peak Section 4

BLL02

Distance: 5.82 mi Points: 1135
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Breeze Lake Loop Track 2

BLL03

Distance: 0.76 mi Points: 278
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Breeze Lake Connector Trail 3

BLL05

Distance: 2.91 mi Points: 691
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Breeze Lake Final Section 5

Points of Interest

BLL001

Location: 37.530571, -119.447304
Trailhead

BLL002

Location: 37.532711, -119.443398
Follow well-used pack trail into forest of giant Jeffrey pine; L @ 3-way and begin slow, all-day climb

BLL003

Location: 37.538429, -119.440804
Thinner section of forest with many rock piles and picnic-perfect outcrops; jog L then R at back-to-back 3-way junctions

BLL004

Location: 37.572849, -119.420303
Cross stream (first reliable water), then go straight @ 3-way and climb

BLL005

Location: 37.571770, -119.412498
Campsite on E shore of Lower Chain Lake; good fishing for tiny trout; coyotes sing nightly

BLL006

Location: 37.569672, -119.414101
Hike S .1 mi. to photo op on ridge above camp; great sunset spot

BLL007

Location: 37.578442, -119.425697
Retrace steps to waypoint 4; turn R at 3-way toward Fernandez Pass

BLL008

Location: 37.583778, -119.422997
Meander through meadows and churchlike groves of lodgepole pine; go R 3-way

BLL009

Location: 37.598900, -119.422302
R @ T-intersection in buggy Moraine Meadows

BLL010

Location: 37.582180, -119.391800
R @ 3-way between large pond and Breeze Lake

BLL011

Location: 37.577469, -119.393997
Breeze Lake; numerous scenic campsites with views of Gale Peak

BLL012

Location: 37.569359, -119.390198
To bag Gale Peak, climb SW to gain obvious ridgeline approach; go L and begin steep but nontechnical scramble to summit

BLL013

Location: 37.568100, -119.387100
Gale Peak (10, 693 ft.); vistas of Sing and Triple Divide Peaks; Half Dome visible on clear days

BLL014

Location: 37.574680, -119.380798
Continue N along cockscomb to Fernandez Pass; more exposed, difficult scrambling; turn back at Gale if weather looms

BLL015

Location: 37.586880, -119.385101
Fernandez Pass; look E across lake-dappled basin in Ansel Adams Wilderness; go L @ to return to Breeze Lake

BLL016

Location: 37.587929, -119.389099
Side hike from pass to breezy pinnacle; .3 mi. each way

BLL017

Location: 37.576160, -119.396599
From Breeze, climb to notch for easy bushwhack to next campsite

BLL018

Location: 37.570549, -119.395897
Descend drainages S from notch past meadows and small cascades

BLL019

Location: 37.567570, -119.398399
Upper Chain Lake; drool over sunny tent sites, perfect diving boulders, and good trout casting

BLL020

Location: 37.567570, -119.398399
Climb to epic sunset vista (.2 mi. RT); if time permits, ascend ridge to S to unnamed 10,448-ft. peak

BLL021

Location: 37.572849, -119.420303
Follow main trail E from Breeze past Chain Lakes to waypoint 4; go L to return to trailhead



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