Day Hikes in Yosemite

Dewey Point Snowshoe

Experiencing Yosemite in winter is an unforgettable experience, so strap on your snowshoes and start exploring!

This route crosses gentle, rolling terrain dotted with lodgepole pines and a series of meadows, and ends at Dewey Point where you can take in expansive views of Half Dome and Clouds Rest.

Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous, depending on snow conditions

Distance: 7.2 miles / 11.6 km round-trip; 618 feet / 188 m elevation gain

Elevation: 7,385 feet / 2,251 m (at Dewey Point)

Get Started: Follow Glacier Point Road to the east end of Summit Meadow to start this trail. The trailhead is about 1 mile after the Badger Pass Ski area. Follow the triangular reflectors through the trees. Along the way you’ll pass through Dewey Meadow, a long, flat meadow perfect for a rest stop. From here, continue north where you’ll head through dense pines and drop into a small valley. Soon after reaching the junction of the Ridge and Meadow trails, you’ll get your first, long-awaited glimpse of Half Dome. Continue north to the top of Dewey Point where you’ll be rewarded with views of iconic El Capitan and Yosemite Valley.

In old snow or icy conditions this trail is not suitable for beginners after the first mile through the meadows. Please do not snowshoe in the machine-groomed cross-country ski trails.

Mariposa Grove Snowshoe

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is a stunning winter wonderland when blanketed in freshly fallen snow. During the low season, the grove is much quieter, allowing for a contemplative and reflective experience for winter enthusiasts.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, depending on snow conditions

Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 km round-trip; 1,042 feet / 317 m elevation gain

Elevation: 6,500 feet / 1,981 m

Get Started: Access the Mariposa Grove via the South Entrance station off Hwy 41 (Wawona Road). When the access road to the grove is closed due to snow, you may park at the South Entrance and ski or snowshoe into the grove. The distance is two miles and you should be alert for snow removal equipment. Once you enter the grove, the easiest route is along the unplowed road.  Snowshoe past famous giant sequoias such as the Fallen Monarch and the California Tunnel Tree along this lovely loop route.  You can easily adjust distances based on your experience level.

Chilnualna Falls

If you like waterfalls, this is the hike for you! Less crowded than the Mist Trail, the Chilnualna Falls trail has three waterfalls plus some bonus pools and cascades. Springtime is the best time to visit, as this low-elevation hike can get hot in the summer.

Difficulty: Strenuous

Distance: 8.4 miles / 13.5 km round-trip; 4-6 hours; 2,300 feet / 700 m elevation gain

Elevation: 4,200 feet / 1,280 m (at trailhead)

Get Started: Begin at the Chilnualna Falls parking area, which will be on your right about two miles up Chilnualna Falls Road in Wawona.  The trail leads from the bottom of the parking area and along Chilnualna Creek for about 0.5 miles (0.8 km). The trail will then merge into the open forest where you can see views of Wawona.  Avoid getting too close to the falls, especially during springtime peak flow.  There are a couple of minor stream crossings, but all have logs to keep your feet dry. 

Sunrise Lakes

If you want to leave the summer crowds of Tenaya Lake behind, take a trek to this trio of pocket-sized lakes ringed with granite outcroppings in Yosemite’s high country.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 6.4 miles / 10.3 km round-trip; 4-6 hours; 1,300 feet / 395 m elevation gain

Elevation: 9,450 feet / 2,880 m (at Sunrise Lakes)

Get started: Begin at the trailhead at the west end of Tenaya Lake and look for the “Sunrise” sign.  There are a series of tough switchbacks leading up to the lakes that might make you want to turn around, but press on.  The first and third lakes are directly on the trail, but keep an eye out for the second lake which will be to your left about 100 m off the trail.

Clouds Rest

Take in stunning 360-degree panoramic views of Yosemite’s famous landmarks from Clouds Rest, which is higher than Half Dome but easier to climb and less crowded. You’ll want to reach the summit by noon to avoid getting caught in afternoon lightning storms.

Difficulty: Strenuous

Distance: 14.5 miles / 23.3 km round-trip, 5-8 hours; 1,775 feet / 540 m elevation gain

Elevation: 9,926 feet / 3,025 m (at Clouds Rest)

Get started: The trail begins on the Tioga Road at the Tenaya Lake trailhead parking area at the southwest corner of the lake. In the springtime, you may have to ford the Tenaya Lake outlet at the start of the trail. You’ll start gentle and flat and then ascend into a series of heart-pumping switchbacks about 1.5 miles into the hike, leading to the summit of the Sunrise Lakes trail fork.  From here, you’ll briefly descend before until you begin climbing Clouds Rest itself.  At the top of Clouds Rest is a sheer dropoff on the north side of the ridge. Navigating this ridge is more manageable and less dangerous than the Half Dome cable route, provided you’re slow and careful. 

Don’t forget your sunscreen as the top of Clouds Rest is exposed and be prepared for mosquitoes in the summer months.

Lukens Lake

Take a family-friendly hike to Lukens Lake from Tioga Road for a refreshing summer dip in one of the Sierra’s rare moraine-dammed lakes. Mid-June to mid-July are the best times to see wildflowers, but be prepared for mosquitoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.2 miles / 4 km round-trip, 1-2 hours

Elevation: 8,200 feet / 2,460 m (at Lukens Lake)

Get started: The “Lukens Lake” sign on Tioga Road marks the trailhead. It’s about 30 miles (48 km) from Yosemite’s east entrance, and 17 miles (27 km) from the western entrance of Tioga Road at Hwy 120.  You’ll go through thick woods before emerging at the lake directly into the meadow (and if your timing is right – a burst of wildflowers), with the lake beyond.  Most people stay on the main trail and venture up to the north end of the lake.

Tuolumne Grove of Big Trees

While the crowds are busy gawking at the much larger Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, you can enjoy the serenity of big trees among a smaller group of fellow travelers in the Tuolumne Grove.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of this smaller, but no less remarkable, stand of big trees.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.4 miles / 4 km round-trip, 1-2 hours, 490 ft / 149 m elevation loss

Elevation: 6,200 feet / 1,860 m (at trailhead)

Get started: Drive along the Big Oak Flat Road to the Tioga Road junction at Crane Flat, then drive 0.5 miles up the Tioga Road to a large parking area on your left.  Enjoy an easy downhill stroll to the Tuolumne Grove where you will pass through the Tunnel Tree, a giant hulk of a tree with a tunnel carved into it.  In the heart of the grove is a picnic area and a self-guided nature trail that will add about 0.5 miles to your hike.

Tenaya Lake

Enjoy an easy, family-friendly walk around scenic Tenaya Lake in Yosemite’s high country. The west end of the lake is a picture postcard shot across the water to granite outcroppings, while on the east side you can enjoy a day at the beach. Expect summer crowds, but not anything like the major attractions in Yosemite Valley.

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km  loop around the lake, 1-2 hours, no elevation gain

Elevation: 8,150 feet / 2,480 m (at trailhead)

Get started: From Yosemite Valley, take Hwy 120 ten miles (16.8 km) to the Crane Flat turnoff onto Tioga Road, then take Tioga Road 31 miles (50 km) east to reach the lake, which is impossible to miss. Coming westward on Tioga Road, drive 15.5 miles (25 km) to reach the lake.

North Dome

From North Dome you can see more of the Valley and the uplands than from any other summit, except maybe Half Dome. You can also take a short detour to Indian Rock where you can see a natural stone arch.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 9.2 miles / 14.8 km round-trip; 4-6 hours; 590 feet / 180 m elevation loss

Elevation: 7,542 feet / 2,300 m (at North Dome)

Get Started: From Crane Flat, drive northeast 23.7 miles on the Tioga Road to the Porcupine Creek lot (not to be confused with Porcupine Flat, a mile to the west).  If you’re coming westbound, the trailhead is 2.1 miles west of the May Lake turnoff.  Look for the North Dome trailhead sign near the outhouse.  The trail itself is relatively uneventful since the real reward is the big finish at North Dome where you will see spectacular views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Yosemite Valley.  Don’t miss out on the short detour to Indian Rock, which is actually a delicate arch.  Watch for loose granite on steep slopes on various parts of the trail.

Dewey Point

Hike along meadows bursting with wildflowers (late-June to mid-July) and experience stunning vistas of Yosemite Valley. This trail requires less effort than the Pohono Trail and is suitable for both children and runners.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 8.2 miles / 13.2 km round-trip; 3-4 hours with 345 feet / 105.2 m elevation gain

Elevation: 7,385 ft / 2,251 m (at Dewey Point)

Get Started: From Wawona Road, drive 7.4 miles up Glacier Point Road to the signed trailhead on your left. This will be on the other side of the road from the Bridalveil Creek Campground, the only campground along Glacier Point Road.  The trail starts under the shade of lodgepole pines and descends to McGurk Meadow.  During certain times of the year you can see wildflowers such as shooting star, paintbrush, cinquefoil, and corn lily.  At the 2.0 mile mark, you’ll join up with the Pohono Trail which will drop to Bridalveil Creek, after which you will begin the gradual ascent to Dewey Point.

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