Ghost Forest to Deer Camp Bypass

Overview

This trail leads from Bridalveil Creek at the Lost Bear Meadow to the junction to Deer Camp. The first mile of the hike alternates between wildflower meadows and sparser forest of lodgepole pines. After half a mile, you cross a tributary to Bridalveil Creek by hopping over a few boulders. The cutoff trail to Ostrander Lake is to the left soon thereafter. Continue right. <br><br>At about 1 mile, the scenery changes dramatically as you enter a section of the trail that was burnt very recently. The black leafless trunks are still standing as if it was yesterday. But this area is far from dead. Larger patches of spectacular wildflower meadows are slowly reclaiming this section of the forest. <br><br>As you make your way through this surreal landscape, the trail starts to ascend moderately up the slope until it reaches a sunny ridgetop clearing at 2.5 miles that was not affected by the fire. Even though you are at about 7,650 feet, you only get a few views west over the forested Yosemite Wilderness. The trail drops slightly after that and leads through a few more meadows until it reaches the Deer Camp junction at 3.3 miles.

Trail Stats

Photos

The sunlight breaks through the canopy along the trail.

The sunlight breaks through the canopy along the trail.

Animals and humans share the trail, which can be easily seen in the winter time.

Animals and humans share the trail, which can be easily seen in the winter time.

The trail as it makes its way back to Bridalveil Creek.

The trail as it makes its way back to Bridalveil Creek.

Burnt trees almost reach to the very top of this trail.

Burnt trees almost reach to the very top of this trail.

The ridgetop clearing at the highest point of the trail to the Deer Camp junction

The ridgetop clearing at the highest point of the trail to the Deer Camp junction

A big wildflowers meadow is right before the junction to Deer Camp.

A big wildflowers meadow is right before the junction to Deer Camp.

Islands of green meadow have found their way into the burnt forest with some trees burnt half way up.

Islands of green meadow have found their way into the burnt forest with some trees burnt half way up.

Wildflowers line both sides of the trail in spring and summer

Wildflowers line both sides of the trail in spring and summer

This section of the trail was burnt a few years ago. It still looks as if it was yesterday.

This section of the trail was burnt a few years ago. It still looks as if it was yesterday.

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