Trail Repair and Access in Yosemite

Gaylor Lakes Trail Restoration

Improving the visitor experience and protecting habitat at Gaylor Lakes.

Gaylor Lakes, located less than one mile from the Tioga Pass park-entrance station, is a popular high country destination. In addition to providing a stunning scenic backdrop, the lakes and surrounding meadows are prime habitat for the Yosemite toad and other animal species.

Over time, deep trail ruts (averaging 5–13 inches in depth) have formed in trails around Gaylor Lakes and along the trail to Granite Lake. These ruts channel water and increase erosion, leading to ever-deeper ruts, which often trap small wildlife such as Yosemite toads.

This project is restoring the fragile high-elevation meadow system around Gaylor Lakes by delineating a single trail and creating better habitat, while improving the wilderness experience for visitors. Local youth volunteers are also becoming engaged in resource protection in the process.

With your support, we are improving the trail system for visitors and creating better wildlife habitat.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park.

Improving Visitor Access to Trails: CCC Internship

Youth crews improve access and provide for a safer hiking experience.

Each year, many visitors hike into Yosemite’s wilderness to escape the crowds and experience the stunning scenery. To improve access and provide for a safer hiking experience, backcountry trails require regular maintenance that often goes unseen by the public.

This summer, an intern from the California Conservation Corps (CCC) will accompany a National Park Service backcountry crew to help clear fallen trees from trails in the Merced watershed. The CCC intern will be mentored and trained in backcountry trail maintenance skills while gaining valuable experience protecting natural resources. This project will prevent hikers from taking circuitous detours around fallen trees and unintentionally disturbing vital habitat in the process.

With your help, youth experience life-changing opportunities while visitors have better access to trails.

Partnering with California Conservation Corps (CCC), a program for young adults in their late teens and early 20s, and Yosemite National Park.

John Muir Trail and Habitat Improvements in Lyell Canyon

Popular trail restored for visitors and wildlife.

The popular John Muir Trail/Pacific Crest Trail runs along the Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River corridor in Lyell Canyon and is one of Yosemite’s summer wilderness highlights. A variety of users access this trail, including backpackers, day hikers and stock animals.

Over time, numerous parallel trails have become deeply rutted, as hikers and stock animals attempt to avoid the mud in the damp meadow and wetland habitat. These ruts alter natural hydrology, which affects Yosemite toad habitat and changes plant distribution.

In 2013, trail work continues near Ireland Creek. The trail will be moved out of sensitive wetland habitat to drier, more resilient areas that will be easier for visitors to access. By restoring vital habitat, we give visitors the opportunity to enjoy views of healthy, functioning wetland ecosystems on an improved trail system.

Together, we are improving Yosemite’s trails for both visitors and wildlife.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park.

Legendary Valley Trails Restoration

Yosemite's most popular trails rehabilitated.

Yosemite Valley trails are some of the most popular in the park and let visitors get up close to iconic landmarks such as Yosemite Falls. These trails are easily accessible from locations such as the Nature Center at Happy Isles or the many shuttle stops throughout the Valley.

If you have hiked the Valley Loop Trail between Church Bowl and Lower Yosemite Fall, you have probably marveled at the beautiful dry stone masonry that is evident in the steps and retaining walls.

Building on Past Trail Successes

Yosemite Conservancy has completed many ambitious trail projects to date.

In 2013, we are continuing to improve accessibility on the Valley Loop Trail from Lower Yosemite Fall to Camp 4. Crews are using sustainable materials to create a well-defined, accessible path that will allow all visitors to easily navigate the trail. The Swan Slab area will be better defined to provide access for climbers, through-access for hikers and improved way-finding.

Restored trails keep hikers safe and minimize tripping and falling hazards, while providing a gateway to spectacular views.

Together, we are restoring the best trails for you and for Yosemite.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite Dayhikes
Day Hikes

Restoring Popular Climbing Trails

Building sustainable trails for Yosemite's climbers.

Yosemite is a world-renowned rock-climbing destination, with approximately 100,000 climbers coming each year to test their skills on famed granite monoliths such as El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks.

Despite climbing’s growing popularity, Yosemite has no sustainable system of approach or descent trails, leaving climbers to use the path of “least resistance” to get to their destinations. This results in an informal network of severely eroded trails and the unintentional destruction of surrounding vegetation and habitat.

This project is changing that by bringing together local youth groups, climbing organizations and park partners to create clearly delineated climber trails and restore surrounding habitat. In 2013, this project includes “Yosemite Climbing Steward” interns who act as ambassadors to the climbing community and encourage proactive stewardship.

Your support is opening up life-changing opportunities for youth while helping build new trails and protecting fragile habitat.

Partnering with professional climber/educator Ron Kauk, Sacred Rok nonprofit foundation and Yosemite National Park.

Tenaya Lake Trail Restoration: South Shore

Restoring the jewel of the high country.

Tenaya Lake is known as the “jewel of the high country” thanks to its picture-perfect setting among granite domes and the vast wilderness. It is Yosemite’s largest front-country lake and one of the park’s most popular summer destinations. Hiking around the lake lets visitors create lasting impressions of Yosemite’s beauty and connect with one of the park’s most special places.

To improve the visitor experience, the south side of the hikers’ loop trail is being repaired and rehabilitated in 2013. Social trails are being removed and damaged areas restored. New trail and mileage signs are being installed at key junctions to improve way-finding. When this project is completed in fall 2013, visitors will experience a more direct, accessible and scenic trail for hiking around Tenaya Lake.

Thanks to your support, we are preserving and protecting natural resources, while enhancing the visitor experience for generations to come.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park.

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Trail Rehabilitation by CCC Crews

Youth learn skills and become stewards of Yosemite through CCC program.

The oldest and largest state conservation corps program in the country (established in 1976), California Conservation Corps (CCC) crews will return to Yosemite this summer restoring trails and developing life skills. Crew members come from diverse backgrounds and are set on a path to success through ongoing programs that include employment training, academic education and scholarships.

CCC crews are trained in trail skills by working with National Park Service crews to clear drainages, repair bridges, fill trail ruts and much more. Through this experience, youth learn about the importance of protecting natural resources and providing for safe visitor access. They also leave with practical skills to apply to future careers.

Your support goes to work in creating the best in youth programs and trail restoration. Visitors enjoy improved trails, while youth spend their summers immersed in the outdoors learning valuable skills.

Partnering with California Conservation Corps (CCC), a program for young adults in their late teens and early 20s, and Yosemite National Park.

Providing for Yosemite's Future
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