We spent two nights staying beside May Lake & Mt. Take a right on the trail so you are heading south and follow it to the May Lake parking lot. May Lake – High Sierra Campsite Free wilderness permits are required year-round for any overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. Stroll along a wide trail through a lovely pine forest. The lake is beautiful! highly recommend doing at golden hour. Camp at lakes above tree line and see all the stars. Our most popular trip, this four-day backpacking journey goes from Tuolumne over Vogelsang Pass to Merced Lake and on to the Yosemite Valley. Walk left around the lake to the granite outcropping and enjoy views of the lake and peaks in the distance. from start to finish beautiful and peaceful trail! also great views of the sierras! We got a change to see the high sierra camp pack mules coming down the trail. As this is a popular hike, the lot often fills by noon on summer weekends. A short trail leads through a conifer forest and across granite slabs to reach May Lake. A video of the hike up to May Lake and Mount Hoffmann in the high sierra of Yosemite National Park One of the best introductory backpacking trips I can think of is the May Lake Trail to May Lake. There's a third trailhead near Porcupine Creek, reachable via the Tuolumne Meadows - Yosemite Valley Hikers' Bus, which is ~3 miles but only 700' of gain. This is a challenging backpacking trip at high altitude, and is only for … Take a right on the trail so you are heading south and follow it to the May Lake parking lot. Location: 37.84478, -119.492683. So peaceful. A wilderness permit is required year-round for backpacking or any other overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. The trailhead is about 2 miles from the road. This short out and back hike leads to a small high elevation lake in Yosemite’s high country. Nestled between a semicircle of lodgepole pines and rugged granite peaks, the Young Lakes beckon to backpackers looking to push into the pristine backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows. Sites are spread out along the south side of the lake. no mosquitos when we were there around 12-3pm. The De Anza College Outdoor Club does this hike almost yearly as … The May Lake Backpacking weekend is an easy trip best suited for beginners and experienced backpackers alike. If you are looking for an easy hike with a fantastic payoff on Tioga Pass, then look no further than May Lake. amazing trail. Yosemite Creek Campground. California Travel and Tourism Commision, P.O. 5. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Posted on September 9, 2016 by Will Derwin. You’ll catch your trail to the May Lake exit point near the backpacker bathrooms and bear bins. Wilderness Permits A wilderness permit is required year-round for backpacking or any other overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. If there was a list that kept track, May Lake would easily earn its spot. Why you should go: A two-day trek that delivers a highlight reel of the best … hike back was quick and easy, maybe 30 or 45 min. May Lake is a high elevation lake off Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park north of Yosemite Valley. Hoffmann. If you'd like to read part I, click here. Expect a lot of competition for this permit and plan alternative routes in case you don’t get it. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $20 per person. GORGEOUS views once at the lake and many spots to sit down along the water. Lake Tenaya will definitely do the trick! The May Lake trail is a short hike 1.2 miles from the trailhead. 6. 4. Yosemite Backpacking Part II: May Lake to Yosemite Valley. Fees are $35 per vehicle or $30 per motorcycle. White western pines, mountain hemlocks, red firs and lodgepole pines constitute the forest at the outset of the hike. Nice lunch spots at may lake. #15 of 59 Outdoor Activities in Yosemite National Park. Ever since I worked in Yosemite and this area was on my patrol circuit, this has been one of my favorite destinations within the park. The turntable is fully functional and a small group of people can even move it by hand. Alternative Routes into Yosemite Valley The route to Yosemite Valley noted on the sign above crosses Highway 120 at Tenaya Lake to offer a series of route options down to the Yosemite Valley. May Lake is a 4.5 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. May Lake to Glen Aulin Trail is a 21.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Hoffman is the geographic center of Yosemite National Park and an excellent, though strenuous, hike for May Lake visitors. Trailhead parking. If you are looking for an easy hike with a fantastic payoff on Tioga Pass, then look no further than May Lake. Begin the trip in Yosemite’s high country camping at the base of Mount Hoffman (10,850’) along the shore of May Lake. I nearly did. Great little side trail off Tioga Pass. 6. Mirror lakes. The hike to May Lake is a bit of the essence of Yosemite -- expansive views over granite peaks, a sparkling blue lake set below 10,000' Mount Hoffmann, a subalpine forest, and, well, other people. May Lake. A wilderness permit is not required for day hikes (unless hiking to Half Dome) or for staying in lodging facilities and frontcountry campgrounds. Had a nice lunch at the lake. This is not where you go for a solitary backcountry escape - but it is a delightful and beautiful place to take someone for their first backpacking trip or just an enjoyable day hike. The Mount Hoffmann trail goes along the south shore of the lake and is said to be a great hike, although it's very strenuous, much more so than the hike to May Lake. Rather than head into Yosemite Valley right away, spend your first day away from the crowds exploring and hiking to sights along Tioga Road, which offers visitors incredible access to Tuolumne Meadows and the High Sierra. Our most popular trip, this four-day backpacking journey goes from Tuolumne over Vogelsang Pass to Merced Lake and on to the Yosemite Valley. You’ll hike through towering mountain passes, flowering meadows, and alongside sky-high trees—and, if your group is strong enough, you may even want to attempt ascending Half Dome. After you’ve taken in the summit (please don’t feed the marmots! Incredible lake camping and views of the high sierra. This is a great trip to learn how to backpack! here, and campsites all along the southeastern shore. Enjoy views of Half Dome and surrounding mountains on the way and Mount Hoffmann is reflected in the lake. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Expect a lot of competition for this permit and plan alternative routes in case you don’t get it. Feedback, look down on both Clouds Rest and Half Dome, Google Street View panorama of the turnoff. Call (877) 444-6777 for more information. Easy hike to a lovely lake perfect for hammocking and fishing! Phenomenal views from the ridge near the top. There are bear boxes, a water spigot, and a flush toilet here -- this is living large in the backcountry. Hoffman. Stop on the way and make sure to check out the views - they're great! Great moderate hike up, easy going down! May Lake – High Sierra Campsite Free wilderness permits are required year-round for any overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. Granite peaks. Views from lake were amazing and I wish I had spent much more time there with the fam. 10. As a beginning backpacker, I was overjoyed to learn in March that we had secured 6 passes into the Yosemite Wilderness and Young Lakes, for my first backpacking experience ever. If you head up to the top of the ridge just above the trail here you can get an excellent view of Tenaya Lake, Tenaya Peak, and Pywiack Dome. This may be the most popular backpacking trip in Yosemite; it starts from the most popular trailhead, Happy Isles, and includes at least one night at the most popular backcountry campground, Little Yosemite Valley. This Yosemite backpacking adventure begins with rendezvous in Yosemite Valley on the patio of Curry Village in front of the Yosemite Mountain Shop at 6PM on Day 1. This is pretty much the end of the climb to May Lake. A few people camping near by. Easy hike with a pretty lake at the end. Turn right on Tioga Road and follow it 26.5 miles to May Lake Road. #15 of 59 Outdoor Activities in Yosemite National Park. All uphill to the lake but worth the treck! Yes (in campground) Ten Lakes. Trip Overview: This backpacking loop itinerary starts/ends within the famous Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park and traverses several of the highlights within the park.Along this loop you pass by the beautiful Tenaya Lake, hike over Clouds Rest, take in several great views of Half Dome, and hike through Little Yosemite Valley and the Lost Valley. Glen Aulin Trail Hike Quick Facts: Type of Trail: … If your kids are up for a bit of an uphill hike this is … Camping Info The nearest formal campground is Porcupine Flat, a first-come, first-served campground on Tioga Road about 3 miles west from the May Lake turn-off. The trail wasn't difficult and the views were great! 2 Day Young Lakes Trek- 15 miles. Creek-side trails. Youâll need to drive on a dirt path to get there. Today would be our longest day on trail, with the most elevation gain, so we knew getting an early start would be imperative for a successful day. Hoffmann, in this case), giving it a memorably picturesque backdrop. There are eight cabins that accommodate a total of 36 guests. The trail moves upwards, slowly at first, but with a steadily greater incline until you hit a few switchbacks. This leisurely overnighter begins with a quick climb to the granite-topped Lembert Dome. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail. May lake is breathtaking. Yes. Getting Started. The hike past May Lake (9,229′ elevation) to the top of Mount Hoffman (10850′) is listed in trail guides as a strenuous day hike, even if you cut your trail mileage by driving the 1.8 mile one lane road from road marker T21. Minimal elevation gain over a short distance. would recommend for beginners backpacking, Small little pond in the right of the lake that has tadpoles n frogs. May Lake is the site of one of the five High Sierra Wilderness Camps in Yosemite National Park (and the most easily reached); in summer, as well as the many hikers, the trail is used by mules each day, taking supplies to and from the campsite. 5. "If … You’ll hike through towering mountain passes, flowering meadows, and alongside sky-high trees—and, if your group is strong enough, you may even want to attempt ascending Half Dome. This is a great trip to learn how to backpack! Yosemite Backpacking Part I: Tuolumne Meadows to May Lake This backpacking trip had been in the works for well over a year, and I finally was able to do it! From hiking Half Dome to our Glacier Point Hike, Tuolumne Meadows backpacking to May Lake to Snow Creek, we’ve got options for all interests and abilities. Great and short trail to a beautiful lake. Learn backpacking skills among alpine lakes, granite peaks and incredible views of the Yosemite high country. At the geographical center of the National Park, you also get 360-degree views with Yosemite stretching out in every direction. Nice Easy trail. Gla cier Point Loop. A truly unusual sight to see in the backcountry, an honest-to-goodness flush toilet. Hoffmann. You can also purchase a park specific annual pass for $70. Itâs a beautiful alpine lake but not necessarily a must. Length21.8 miElevation gain3625 ftRoute typeOut & back The hike past May Lake (9,229′ elevation) to the top of Mount Hoffman (10850′) is listed in trail guides as a strenuous day hike, even if you cut your trail mileage by driving the 1.8 mile one lane road from road marker T21. to get to it, youâll drive about 5 min on a roughly paved road. After you’ve taken in the summit (please don’t feed the marmots! Make sure everything is working before you go, though - you don't want a bear to eat your food. The parking lot at the high trailhead fills quickly; on the bright side, most of these people are dayhikers, so early or late arrivals should give you plenty of parking. There is a vault toilet and bear boxes here, but limited parking. Luken to Lukens Lake. Sierra Rec Magazine, August 2018 – Backpacking in Yosemite is a life goal for many who visit this pristine granite palace in the High Sierra. There is a good use trail following the southern shore that, if you follow it long enough and high enough, will take you to the summit of 10,850' Mount Hoffmann, near the geographic center of Yosemite and with great views in all directions. The Mountain shop is located on the street-facing side of the Curry Village Pavilion (closest to the parking lot). Nice easy hike and you get amazing views of the park, you can even see half dome from it. You’ll catch your trail to the May Lake exit point near the backpacker bathrooms and bear bins. "If … Hoffmann Hike. 12. 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