Yosemite North
Tioga Pass (HWY 120), incl. Mono Pass, Tuolumne Meadow, Tenaya Lake, Clouds Rest, Olmsted Point, Hetch Hetchy
Duration
full day, incl. hikes
Distances
Death Valley – Lee Vining/entrance Tioga Pass: about 246 miles (396 km)
Death Valley – Yosemite Village: summer 320 miles (515 km), winter 450 miles (725 km)
Death Valley – Mariposa: summer 350 miles (564 km), winter 431 miles (694 km)
San Francisco – Yosemite Village: 190 miles (306 km)
Los Angeles – Yosemite Village: 311 miles (500 km)
South Lake Tahoe – Yosemite Village: summer 187 miles (301 km), winter 200 miles (322 km)
full day, incl. hikes
Distances
Death Valley – Lee Vining/entrance Tioga Pass: about 246 miles (396 km)
Death Valley – Yosemite Village: summer 320 miles (515 km), winter 450 miles (725 km)
Death Valley – Mariposa: summer 350 miles (564 km), winter 431 miles (694 km)
San Francisco – Yosemite Village: 190 miles (306 km)
Los Angeles – Yosemite Village: 311 miles (500 km)
South Lake Tahoe – Yosemite Village: summer 187 miles (301 km), winter 200 miles (322 km)
1st stop: Tioga Pass
Walks, hikes and outlooks along Tioga Pass
As I mentioned before Tioga Pass is only open between late May/June and October/November but one of the most scenic drives you can expect in California.
Coming to Yosemite in the high season you should allow at least 3 – 4 hours driving the pass. If you want to do longer hikes – even a day. Along the road you will find several outlooks and short hikes giving you a great perspective over the valley and the high country with jaw dropping views onto Half Dome and Tenaya Lake. The following link gives you more details about the hikes:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmhikes.htm
Walks, hikes and outlooks along Tioga Pass
As I mentioned before Tioga Pass is only open between late May/June and October/November but one of the most scenic drives you can expect in California.
Coming to Yosemite in the high season you should allow at least 3 – 4 hours driving the pass. If you want to do longer hikes – even a day. Along the road you will find several outlooks and short hikes giving you a great perspective over the valley and the high country with jaw dropping views onto Half Dome and Tenaya Lake. The following link gives you more details about the hikes:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmhikes.htm
Mono Pass
Coming from Lee Vining and Mono Lake there is a pretty hike located at the entrance of Yosemite Park called Mono Pass. It is an 8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip taking you 4 - 6 hours. Doing this hike you have wonderful views over the Sierra Nevada towards Nevada and the Mono Lake passing streams and meadows.
This hike is moderate.
Tuolumne Meadow
An easy 1.5 miles stroll with marvelous views onto Lembert Dome and Cathedral Peak starting at Lembert Dome parking lot. The stroll takes about an ½ hour and brings you along Tuolumne River.
An easy 1.5 miles stroll with marvelous views onto Lembert Dome and Cathedral Peak starting at Lembert Dome parking lot. The stroll takes about an ½ hour and brings you along Tuolumne River.
Tenaya Lake
The Tenaya Lake is the most beautiful lake in Yosemite, at least in my opinion. The surrounding granite domes are reflected in the lake making it a fascinating panorama and popular photo spot.
If you like to walk around the lake you will find an easy 2.5 mile loop starting and ending at the Tioga Pass, taking about 1 – 2 hours depending on your pace.
Clouds Rest
This is a real stunning 14.5 miles (23.3 km) round trip hike offering you panoramic views in all directions. E. g. down to the Ocean and over to the adjacent states in a height of 9.926 feet (3.025 meters). I only recommend doing this hike if the sky is clear and the forecast doesn’t imply snow, rain or thunderstorms. The least that can happen to you is being covered in clouds…
And I am discouraging people that are afraid of heights choosing this hike since there is a long and very steep part including a narrow ridge not to mention the panoramic views down to the grounds!
The trail starts at Tenaya Lake and later crosses Sunrise Lake. It takes about 7 hours for the roundtrip.
This is a real stunning 14.5 miles (23.3 km) round trip hike offering you panoramic views in all directions. E. g. down to the Ocean and over to the adjacent states in a height of 9.926 feet (3.025 meters). I only recommend doing this hike if the sky is clear and the forecast doesn’t imply snow, rain or thunderstorms. The least that can happen to you is being covered in clouds…
And I am discouraging people that are afraid of heights choosing this hike since there is a long and very steep part including a narrow ridge not to mention the panoramic views down to the grounds!
The trail starts at Tenaya Lake and later crosses Sunrise Lake. It takes about 7 hours for the roundtrip.
Olmstead Point
A bit further off Tenaya Lake you will reach Olmstead Point a jaw dropping outlook over Yosemite’s high country. From here you have a second view onto Tenaya Lake, over all the granite domes and peaks, incl. Clouds Rest and over the valley. Together with the Tenaya Lake this is a spot you shouldn’t miss along Tioga Pass and during your stay in Yosemite.
A bit further off Tenaya Lake you will reach Olmstead Point a jaw dropping outlook over Yosemite’s high country. From here you have a second view onto Tenaya Lake, over all the granite domes and peaks, incl. Clouds Rest and over the valley. Together with the Tenaya Lake this is a spot you shouldn’t miss along Tioga Pass and during your stay in Yosemite.
2nd stop: Hetch Hetchy
Walks and hikes at Hetch Hetchy
As I mentioned in the introduction Hetch Hetchy is the smaller twin of Yosemite. Since its valley was flooded 1913 to function as a reservoir with a dam to deliver power and water to the San Francisco Bay Area you only can see the granite peaks nowadays.
Compared to Yosemite Hetch Hetchy doesn’t offer that many trails, actually only three but you will be almost by yourself hiking here. The park is only open during the day. Further information about the park is listed under:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/hetchhetchy-sitebull.pdf
Hetch Hetchy Lookout Point Trail
After entering Hetch Hetchy gate you are hitting the trailhead of the Lookout Point. Stopping here and taking the 2-miles-trail you are approaching a stunning overlook over the area. If your time is limited this is a great opportunity to get an impression about Yosemite’s north within less than 1 hour.
After entering Hetch Hetchy gate you are hitting the trailhead of the Lookout Point. Stopping here and taking the 2-miles-trail you are approaching a stunning overlook over the area. If your time is limited this is a great opportunity to get an impression about Yosemite’s north within less than 1 hour.
Wapama and Rancheria Falls
If you have more time drive further towards O'Shaughnessy Dam where the trailhead for the Wapama Falls begins. The trail is leading you along the reservoir’s shore offering views towards the falls and the reservoir. The hike to Wapama Falls is a 5 miles (8 km) round-trip taking about 2 hours. You even can extend the hike towards Rancheria Falls. The trail continues behind Wapama Falls and turn out as a 13.4 miles (21.4 km) round-trip back to the Dam within 6 to 8 hours.
Doing this hike prepare yourself of getting wet or remove your clothes before crossing the falls. The best time hiking here is again spring and early summer when the waterfalls are roaring.
If you have more time drive further towards O'Shaughnessy Dam where the trailhead for the Wapama Falls begins. The trail is leading you along the reservoir’s shore offering views towards the falls and the reservoir. The hike to Wapama Falls is a 5 miles (8 km) round-trip taking about 2 hours. You even can extend the hike towards Rancheria Falls. The trail continues behind Wapama Falls and turn out as a 13.4 miles (21.4 km) round-trip back to the Dam within 6 to 8 hours.
Doing this hike prepare yourself of getting wet or remove your clothes before crossing the falls. The best time hiking here is again spring and early summer when the waterfalls are roaring.