Our return trail starts just below the lake. Crossing the meadow it mounts the east slope steadily climbing 1000 feet up the rough granite to ~Forsyth Pass~, two and a half miles distant. Fine views are obtained all along the trail. Near the summit a small shallow lake can be seen east of the trail. By leaving the trail and following up the small stream about one mile, ~Mildred Lake~ (Alt. 9600) can be reached. This little lake contains some very large trout. From Forsyth Pass the trail follows southwest along the rim of Tenaya Canyon about two miles and then forks. The trail to the left descends thru timber about three miles and joins the ~Sunrise Trail~, making the shortest route to Yosemite. The trail to the right leads to Clouds Rest and is far more scenic than the cut-off. It follows just east of the canyon rim for about two miles and joins the ~Clouds Rest Trail~. A short, steep ascent by foot over rough granite takes us to ~Clouds Rest~ (Alt. 9925), the highest point near Yosemite. From here is a vast panorama to all sides. Returning to the trail we descend thru stunted forest and rough granite. To the right are ~The Pinnacles~ (Alt. 9451). The trail descends about 1000 feet by switchbacks to a spring. ~Quarter Domes~ (Alt. 8160 and 8276) are half a mile west on the canyon rim. The trail descends thru denser and denser forest. A short distance below, the ~Sunrise Trail~ joins from the east. After trending westward along a bench the trail is joined from the northwest by the ~Half Dome Trail~. Descending thru the pine forest, we now and then are treated to glimpses of ~Mt. Starr King~ across Little Yosemite. About one-third of a mile takes us to another junction where a branch trail turns left descending 400 feet into Little Yosemite. The main trail passes to the right of a granite knob and reaches the floor of ~Little Yosemite Valley~ near the lower end, where it is joined by a trail from up the canyon. Turning right we pass ~Liberty Cap~ and after a 200-foot descent join the main Glacier Point Trail at the top of ~Nevada Falls~. There is here a government telephone (Central 1 ring). We turn right. Yosemite is six miles distant via Trail Trip 2. TRAIL TRIP 7 YOSEMITE TO LAKE MERCED (16.5 miles--6 hours) The round trip from Yosemite to ~Merced Lake~ is an exceedingly scenic two-day excursion. One should telephone in advance for accommodations at the Merced Lake Lodge. Pedestrians may save an hour's hard climb by taking the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls. An excellent three-day trip may be made by combining Trail Trips 7 and 6. First day: Lake Merced. Second day: Clouds Rest and Lake Tenaya via Forsyth Pass. Third day: Yosemite via the summit of North Dome and Yosemite Falls Trail.