Day Hikes in Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows

 

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Know Before You Go

• Tuolumne Meadows can only be accessed by car when Tioga Road is open. Tioga Road is typically open from May/June to November, depending on conditions. Check historical road opening and closing dates, or find the current road status.
• In spring, trails may still be snowy or wet.
• Services in this area of the park are extremely limited; pack all the water and food you need for your hike. The nearest gas is located inside the park at Crane Flat or outside the park at Lee Vining.

Short Walks & Hikes

Trips that take about an hour or less.

Pothole Dome

Distance 1 mi (1.6 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 200 ft (60 m)
Starting point Pothole Dome Parking
Take a short walk from the parking area along Tioga Road, then scramble up the dome for stunning meadow views.

Parsons Lodge & Soda Springs

Distance 1.4 mi (2.3 km) round-trip
Elevation gain mostly flat, unpaved
Starting point Lembert Dome Parking or Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center
Enjoy a scenic stroll through Tuolumne Meadows to cold, bubbling Soda Springs and the historic lodge.

Twin Bridges

Distance 3 mi (4.8 km) round-trip
Elevation gain mostly flat, uneven terrain
Starting point Dog Lake Parking
Follow the John Muir Trail to a scenic spot on the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Continue further up Lyell Canyon for a longer walk (turn around at any point.)

 

Half-Day Hikes

Gaylor Lakes

Time 2–3 hours
Distance 2.6 mi (4.2 km) round-trip
Elevation gain Short but steep; 500 ft (152 m) gain
Starting point Tioga Pass Entrance
Climb steadily to a ridge with spactacular views of Dana Meadows and the high Sierra. The trail then drops 200 feet to Middle Gaylor Lake.

Dog Lake & Lembert Dome

Time 3–4 hours
Distance 3.8 mi (6.1 km) round-trip
Elevation gain steep; 850 ft (260 m) gain
Starting point Dog Lake parking area
Hike out-and-back to Dog Lake, with a side-trip to the top of Lembert Dome. Optional: return via Lembert Dome parking area for a 5-mile loop. Stay off domes during thunderstorms.

 

Full-Day Hikes

Elizabeth Lake

Time 6–7 hours
Distance 6.8 mi (11 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 1,000 ft (305 m)
Starting point Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center
Hike to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak. The trail climbs steadily over 2 miles to the lake. A one-mile trail circles the lake.

Cathedral Lakes

Time 6–7 hours
Distance 7.6 mi (12 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 1,000 ft (305 m) gain
Starting point Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center
The area’s most popular trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lake. Near the top of the climb, it passes a 0.7-mile spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake.

Mono Pass

Time 5–7 hours
Distance 8 mi (12.9 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 1000 ft (300 m) gain
Starting point Tioga Road at Dana Meadows
Climb steadily to Mono Pass for views of Mono Lake and the eastern Sierra.

Glen Aulin

Time 6–8 hours
Distance 11 mi (17.7 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 800 ft (240 m) on return
Starting point Lembert Dome parking area
Follow the Tuolumne River 5.5 miles as it drops to Glen Aulin. Hike 4 miles further to Waterwheel Falls, for a 19-mile total roundtrip.

Young Lakes

Time 8–10 hours
Distance 13.6 mi (22 km) round-trip
Elevation gain 1,300 ft (400 m)
Starting point Lembert Dome parking area
A long but rewarding dayhike. The lakes can be reached via the Glen Aulin or Dog Lake trails. Hike out and back via the same route, or make a loop.