Trail Repair and Access in Yosemite

John Muir Trail and Habitat Improvements in Lyell Canyon

Trail improvements protect wetland habitat

The popular John Muir Trail / Pacific Crest Trail runs along the Tuolumne River Wild and Scenic corridor in Lyell Canyon and is one of Yosemite’s summer wilderness highlights. A variety of users access this trail, from backpackers and day hikers to stock users. Trail restoration will address habitat impacts while enhancing the visitor experience.

This trail crosses through wetland habitat where the ground remains extremely damp into the summer months when visitor traffic is heaviest. In an attempt to avoid the mud, hikers and stock users have unintentionally created numerous parallel trails that have become deeply rutted over time. These ruts alter natural wetland hydrology, which impact Yosemite toad habitat and change plant distribution. These drainage issues also make trail maintenance challenging and unsustainable.

This project will re-route three to five locations on the John Muir Trail / Pacific Crest Trail in addition to the Peninsula Stock Camp crossing the Tuolumne River. These trail sections will be moved out of sensitive wetland habitat to drier, more resilient areas that will be easier for visitors to access. By restoring these vital habitats, visitors will have 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.

Youth Crews (YCC) Restore Campgrounds, Trails and Habitat

Youth succeed in Yosemite

In 2012 the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) will be returning to Yosemite this coming summer. They will work on many projects throughout their eight-week season including, restoring campgrounds and installing bear-proof lockers, removing invasive plants and assisting with the construction of a Native American Round House. Crews will also spend time in the backcountry restoring trails. Along the way they will gain invaluable environmental and life skills.

For many youth this is often their very first experience outdoors, camping or hiking to work sites. It is also the beginning of a life-long commitment to protecting these great natural places.

To date over 2,050 youth have participated in this program, and have completed over 400,000 project hours providing over $4 million in value to Yosemite.

With your continued support we are creating the next generation of Yosemite stewards.

Partnering with Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a program for 15-to 18-year-olds and National Park Service.

Youth in Yosemite Videos

Tuolumne Grove Trailhead Renovation

Habitat protected at popular trailhead

Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is Yosemite’s second largest sequoia grove and one of three remaining sequoia groves in the park. Covering about twenty acres and with many giant sequoias it is a popular visitors’ stop along Tioga Road.

This multi-year project includes improvements that make arriving at and exploring this magnificent grove a serene and pleasant experience, while better protecting surrounding habitat. Current trailhead amenities are inadequate and confusing for visitors and detract from the natural setting.

New universally accessible and sustainable paths will be installed, while surrounding habitat will be restored to its natural state. Picnic facilities will be upgraded, and new relocated restrooms and improved parking will help remove clutter and queues from the trailhead.

Thanks to your support the beauty and serenity of the grove with now be reflected in well designed and sustainable facilities. Habitat is protected and visitors enjoy great resources.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park

Tuolumne and Merced Watershed Trails Restored by CCC Crews

Best in youth programs and habitat protection

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 through ongoing programs that include employment training, academic education and scholarships youth are set on a path to successful lives.

Part of the crews’ backcountry experience includes training in the dry-stone masonry techniques. Techniques in trail repair are part of a comprehensive program where youth also learn about ecology, resource management, sustainability, wilderness survival training, career development training and health and safety skills.

Crews will cover over 40 miles of trails in the Tuolumne watershed, including restoration work in Stubblefield Canyon and around Hetch Hetchy and Lake Eleanor. The Merced watershed will see over 60 miles of trails restored through the CCC crews efforts.

The Tuolumne River is one of Yosemite’s two main watersheds. Its area includes streams, meadows, granite domes, canyons and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Wilderness trails in this watershed offer access to spectacular hiking and are the only way to access some of the park’s best fishing and backcountry camping spots. Many people are familiar with portions of the Merced watershed as its flows through Yosemite Valley and nearby Wawona, both popular areas for park visitors. Look out for these crews if you visit Yosemite this summer, and say hi if you pass them on the trail.

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

Explore Tuolumne Meadows with Outdoor Adventures

Outdoor Adventures

Nature Notes Video Series: ‘Tuolumne River’

Restoring Popular Climbing Trails

Youth volunteers and climbers working together

Yosemite is a world renowned destination for rock climbers, with some of the planet’s most iconic rock climbs. Approximately 100,000 rock climbers come to Yosemite each year and visitors often marvel at climbers slowly making their way up the face of El Capitan or Cathedral Rocks.

Despite the growing popularity of climbing, Yosemite has no sustainable system of climber approaches or descent trails and climbers often use the path of ‘least resistance’ to get to their destinations. This results in an informal network of severely eroded trails, with surrounding vegetation and habitat destruction.

This project will change that by bringing together local youth groups, climbing organizations and park partners to form crews that will create clearly delineated climber trails and restore surrounding habitat. These crews will also be introduced to many areas of park stewardship through mentoring programs.

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

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

Return to Balance presented by Ron Kauk

Return to Balance: A Climber's Journey

Legendary Valley Trails Restoration

Restoring celebrated Valley trails

Yosemite Valley trails are some of the most popular in the park and let visitors get up-close to iconic landmarks like Yosemite Falls. They are easily accessible from locations like the Nature Center at Happy Isles or shuttle stops. If you have hiked the many switchbacks of the Tenaya Zig-Zags trail, or cooled-off on the Mist Trail as you approach Vernal Fall, then you have probably marveled at the workmanship of these trails. There is mile after mile of beautiful dry stone masonry as seen in steps, switchbacks and retaining walls. Many were built in the early 1900’s and reflect the techniques of that era.

Building on Past Trail Successes

Yosemite Conservancy has completed many ambitious trail projects to date . In 2012 we continue restoration work, including upper Yosemite Falls, Four Mile, Tenaya Zig Zags and the Mist Trail. Restored trails keep hikers safe, minimizing tripping and slipping hazard, while providing access to some of the most spectacular views. Good trails also prevent erosion that destroys the surrounding fragile habitat and can cause trees to topple onto trails. Together we are restoring the best trails for you and for Yosemite.

Partnering with Yosemite National Park

Day Hikes

Improved Trails and Wetland Restoration: Lembert Dome Loop Trail

Hikers and wetland benefit from re-routed trail

While hiking along the popular Lembert Dome Loop Trail you will see some of the most spectacular views of Tuolumne Meadows. This project will make your hike even better by improving the wet and muddy sections of this trail.

Sections of this trail are wet because they currently pass through fragile wetlands and ponded areas. This trail restoration project will reroute these sections of trail to a drier, more sustainable route. The surrounding wetlands will then be carefully restored, and natural water flow will be reestablished.

This multi-year trail restoration project will provide hikers with a drier and safer trail, while they enjoy views of the surrounding wetlands that are now returning to their natural, beautiful wilderness state.

Working together we are creating sustainable trails that keep hikers dry and wetlands wet.

Partnering with National Park Service

Yosemite Conservancy

Our Work