Rafferty Creek to Vogelsang Gear Checklist

What shapes your gear on Rafferty Creek to Vogelsang

The climb

The trail splits off the Lyell Canyon trail and climbs for about 4.5 miles. One hiker says the first mile is the steepest and the first 3.5 miles are under trees, before the route opens into a big meadow below Fletcher Peak. The high camp area sits just above 10,000 feet.

From Sierra Rec Magazine

Permits

The park requires a wilderness permit for every overnight trip and says reservations are needed from late April through October. Sixty percent of each trailhead quota is reserved by lottery 24 weeks ahead and the rest opens seven days ahead. A 2020 trip report counted 12 reservable and 8 walk-up permits a day on this trail in a normal year.

From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Permits and Sierra Rec Magazine

Fire and stoves

Campfires are prohibited above 9,600 feet, and the park also bans stick stoves fueled with twigs above that elevation. The Vogelsang area is higher than that line, so every meal is cooked on a regular stove.

From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Sierra Rec Magazine

Early season snow

A hiker who planned a mid-June 2009 trip to Vogelsang reported a ranger saying the trail was patchy from about 9,500 feet and 95% snow covered after Tuolumne Pass, with frozen lakes and wet weather every 45 minutes or so. A group in mid-June 2000 crossed snow on the way up Vogelsang Pass about half the time.

From Backpacking Light forum and Climber.Org

Weather in August and July

A family that camped at Boothe Lake in August saw a low of 36 degrees and a 3 pm thunderstorm. A group that crossed Vogelsang Pass in July met leftover snow near the pass, and a thunderstorm had soaked their first night.

From Sierra Rec Magazine and Ranger Gupta (Substack)

What hikers carry on Rafferty Creek to Vogelsang

• A bear canister packed where you can reach it

  Rangers on the Lyell and Vogelsang trails ask to see the can, not only the permit. One hiker had hers at the very bottom of her pack and was allowed to thump the pack instead of unpacking. The park suggests carrying the can inside your pack, and bear boxes at the high camp can be full or missing.

  From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Bears & Food Storage While Backpacking and Ranger Gupta (Substack)

• Warm layers, a hat, gloves and spare socks

  A forum answer to the June 2009 snow trip said to keep a dry insulating set for camp, with thick base layers, wool socks, a warm hat and a warmer bag. In August 2020 the low at Boothe Lake was 36 degrees, and the evening was about 40.

  From Backpacking Light forum and Sierra Rec Magazine

• A stove and fuel for hot drinks and soup

  With no fires allowed up high, the stove is the only heat source. The June 2009 forum advice was cocoa and soup after a cold day, with the lighter kept in a warm pocket so it still works.

  From Yosemite National Park (NPS): Wilderness Regulations and Backpacking Light forum

• A rain jacket and a hat for afternoon storms

  A 3 pm thunderstorm rolled over Boothe Lake in August 2020. A July 2025 group was caught by thunder and rain a mile into Lyell Canyon, and some of them cinched trash bags around themselves. Sun hoodies and wide-brim caps were the daytime uniform on the same trip.

  From Sierra Rec Magazine and Ranger Gupta (Substack)

• Mosquito protection in early and mid summer

  A mid-June 2000 group found the Rafferty Creek climb mostly mosquito-free. A writer who went in August also had few problems and says early-season trips are worse. In July 2025 mosquitoes were everywhere on the creek crossing below Vogelsang Pass, and Bernice Lake, over the pass, had none.

  From Climber.Org, Sierra Rec Magazine and Ranger Gupta (Substack)

• A water filter or treatment, and a small carry of water

  The June 2009 forum thread said Rafferty Creek, the Tuolumne River and Fletcher Lake all have water, so a heavy load of water is not needed. An August group topped up bottles at Fletcher Lake at lunch. Dry-camp capacity only matters if lakes are still frozen.

  From Backpacking Light forum and Sierra Rec Magazine

• A hammock with tree straps, if you like to sleep in one

  Two groups strung hammocks near Boothe Lake and Bernice Lake. A hammock needs large trees that are close enough together, and the Vogelsang basin is at the tree line, so one writer researched sites before choosing his camps.

  Bring a tent or a pad as a backup if you cannot find trees.

  From Sierra Rec Magazine and Ranger Gupta (Substack)

Gear questions for Rafferty Creek to Vogelsang