Ahhhh such a beautiful lake ... but , did I struggle ugh …read more.... I'm an avid hiker but have been on a hiatus for quite some time and I have been out of the gym for a while and I suffered baaaaddd from it. Sigh. Anyways , you can park your car in a lot by the Tioga gate off 120. The trail head is right there by the Tioga gate . If you are coming from the park ( Yosemite) the trail head is on your left side of the road. It's only a mile to get to the lake but it's a pretty steep inclination and being soooo freaking out of shape right now , I had to take a break every 10-20 steps. I was out of breath , huffing and puffing , light headed and dizzy. Maybe from the high altitudes too . I was gasping for air. I had no problem doing Clouds Rest last year ... ugh. Anyways , the lake itself is stunningly gorgeous. Water is so clear , we saw some trouts gracefully swimming. Snow covered mountains in the background. Nice cool breeze felt good since I was sweating like crazy. There may be about 20 other hikers we saw. Some were struggling like I was climbing up on the way. It's up and then down to the lake. It should be easy peasy for experienced hikers but might be tough if you are a beginner because of the elevation gain but totally doable and totally worth it. The view is amazing all around not just the lake but the view of Mt Dana , Mt Hoffman and other peaks you can see from the trail. If you are out of shape like I am right now, just take your time and go slowly. It's okay , it's not a race. Enjoy the view and the smell and the sound of the mountains:))) ha ha One last thing , tons of mosquitoes when we were there on Saturday (6/23/2018). Highly recommend bug spray. I got tons of bites on my face and legs. Luckily I was wearing a long sleeve shirt so no bites on my arms.

Yawnnnn... A bit on…read morethe boring side for a Back Country hike. The hike starts out with some solid elevation gain, but after 15 minutes of hiking you'll be at the top of the peak and heading down towards Gaylor Lake. The lake is pretty big and beautiful with plenty of fish to be seen swimming in it. Due to the elevation of the lake it is colder than the lower elev lakes. Keep to your right and head up the trail to Upper Gaylor Lake. Not as big and pretty boring there. You can head left over the small mountain and see a few other small lakes on the other side or you can head straight up the trail to the old rock huts and mines and another small lake. After a 10 minute hike from Upper Gaylor Lake you'll crest the top and see several old rock homes. Go on inside and make yourself at home. Can you imagine people used to mine and live up here?! Our ancestors were definitely tougher than we are. Watch out for at least 2 mining holes. They have no warning or barrier around then and appear to be at least 20' deep WITH NO WAY OUT. The views on this trip are average at best. I wouldn't recommend this hike for the following reasons. IF you are coming Westward on the 120, the trailhead is at the Eastern end of the park, which is around 50 miles on Tioga pass road. The views are OK at best, not much too see. If you are coming in from the Eastern end (Highway 395) then it makes sense to check this easy hike off your list and then never speak of it again! There are only like 25+ better hikes off Tioga Road that come to mind. Hope this review helps those considering the hike.

This was my first official hike in Yosemite after coming here for years. Usually, my friends or…read moreHubs just want to do the usual sights around Yosemite Village, maybe walk to a waterfall or marvel at El Capitan, but not try a proper hiking trail. This trip, I am with a friend who came from France to REALLY see Yosemite. We chose this hike based on location, convenience and the "easy" rating it was given. The third was an exaggeration, but we didn't know. From the parking lot, it took us about 2 hours just to get to the lake, over terrain that was rocky and mostly sunny. My friend needed to stop frequently to monitor and slow her heart rate during the 1.2 mile ascent, which climbs about 500 feet above the approximate 8,710 ft elevation of the trailhead entrance in the parking lot. Speaking of the parking lot.... On this day, the Wednesday after Labor Day Weekend, the lot wasn't full and we easily found a spot. Wear sturdy shoes, have plenty of water, a hat and take your time. You'll be rewarded with a stunning lake and a cool dip before your descent, which took us less than 25 mins. Cheers! "CC"

This was a beautiful, short hike that's located off Tioga Road. If you're driving east towards…read moreTuolumne Meadows, the turn off to the trailhead is before Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake. The road leading to the trail is narrow and riddled with potholes. You'll need to take it slow and yield to cars coming the opposite direction. The lot was rather full on a Friday afternoon, but I snagged a spot of someone leaving. The hike itself is 2.4 round trip with a steady, but not too steep climb to the lake. Beautiful views of Mt Hoffman on the way up, along with Yosemite's high country. The lake itself is magical and serene. No swimming allowed, as it's labeled as a public water source. It's a popular spot not only because it's a relatively short and easier trail to access a Sierra lake, but it also has one of the High Sierra Camps for back packers. Still, winding away from the camp along the shore, there was solitude to be found with a few nice rocks to relax on and and enjoy a snack before heading down. Well kept trail to a beautiful lake, in less hectic, quieter part of Yosemite (relatively speaking.)

BEWARE TOURISTS. THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR YOU…read more I'm in my thirties and not an avid hiker. I'm not going to sugar coat this review because of the views. I'm going to be brutally honest about this trail, which changes from nicely paved dirt path to treacherous piles of jagged rocks (sometimes slippery if you're at Mist trail) that you need to figure out how to get down or up (depending on what direction you are taking) without falling and hurting yourself badly. Also, keep in mind there are other people sharing this path with you in the opposite direction so you not only need to navigate through the treachery of the rocks but also the people sharing them with you. I had planned to do the four mile trail (from Glacier point) because it was shorter but the Glacier point gift shop employee Jeremy said he had done this hike in 2 hours with his 40 year old mom and all he took was one water bottle with no problem. LIES!! The other gift shop employee Olivia said panorama trail was longer but definitely easier than four mile because it was less steep and all downhill. MORE LIES!!! Its because of what they both said that changed my mind to switch from four mile to panoramic trail. This trail is labeled as strenuous but should have "treacherous" added to it. There are parts of the trail where there are no signs and you lose your way because there is no clear path on where to go. At Vernal Falls, after you cross the bridge, you have to walk up a huge slab of rock to figure out which direction to go to continue on (you go right). It was late in the afternoon for us so there wasn't anyone around for us to follow. The bad signage, or lack thereof, was frustrating. If you see squiggly marks on the map (that you can get at the visitor centers) it means you have to walk down jagged/slippery rocks. 99% do not have rails. You could fall hard on your way to Neveda Falls or fall straight down slippery rocks at Mist trail (your shoes will get wet--mine were completely soaked). Some of the trail were paved dirt roads (which was what I was expecting, including the switchbacks) but many parts of this trail were just rocks stacked on top of rocks done by Yosemite staff to create a challenging hiking experience. You are climbing down these rocks for miles non stop. Your knees will hate you. There are no bathrooms. The first bathroom is at Nevada Falls. The first place where you will see a water fountain to refill your water is after Vernal Falls on the Mist trail and before you reach the Happy Isles Nature Center. After you reach the Happy Isles Nature center, you still have to walk a bit to the #16 shuttle stop. Our driver was ending her shift so she was making select stops. Thankfully she stopped at stop #8 to the Yosemite Valley Lodge where we had left our car. We got to our car by 8pm and took off for our hotel by 830pm. We were exhausted and now had to drive home down a winding trail to exit the park in the dark. It was a tough drive back to our hotel and we didn't expect to have a day like this. This trail is not all downhill from Glacier point. You have a good 2 miles of steep uphill hiking. There was not a lot of shade in the day hours during summer. I carried with me 3 waters, 1 gatorade, 1 snapple (bought at gift shop located at Glacier Point) and it was not enough to last me the 9 hours it took for us to complete this trail. I recommend bringing more if you plan to do this complete 9 mile route. Also, I recommend bringing a walking stick (or buying one at the gift shop for $22.99) and a bucket hat for $32.00). These are definitely worth the investment or added weight to your gear because in the 90 degree heat and the treacherous areas of the trail you will be so thankful to have had them. All in all, the waterfalls started to look the same to me. Illilouette Fall and Nevada falls looked very similar. If you want to get misty, do lower yosemite falls and walk towards the bottom of the falls (off trail) instead of Vernal Falls. Or take shuttle #16 and walk to Vernal Falls instead of seeing it from panoramic trail. In my opinion this trail was not worth the energy, sweat and tears. I was more impressed by Igazu falls and Niagara Falls when I visited them. I thought this trail would be like others I've taken when visiting other National parks or International parks. I thought it would be a cleared dirt path. I was WRONG. If you want to get great pictures of everything from Panoramic trail, I recommend breaking up your trip in two. First trip: park at Glacier point, walk to Illilouette Fall, then turn back. Second trip: take shuttle to #16 stop, walk Mist trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. In my opinion, this is a much less strenuous and treacherous itinerary and you can see everything you would have seen on the Panoramic trail without the pain and stress.

1. This hike has been called by many as the most beautiful hike in Yosemite. Ok, if not many…read morepeople, at least me, who has done almost all the hikes in this park, except Half Dome. 2. We drove in just as Glacier Point was opening for the season in May 2015 . This year being El Nino with huge snowdrifts, Glacier Point road will be closed until June 2016. 3. We did both the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome hikes, using the single pit toilet bathroom at the trailhead, just in time ahead of a bus load of hikers. 4. Drove to nearby Glacier Point, overrun with tourists, checking out the views of the Yosemite Valley 3000 feet below, taking in awesome sights of El Capitan, 2425' Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, tallest waterfall in North America, before heading onto the Panorama Trail. 5. Hardly a person on the Panorama Trail at 7,200 feet elevation, with an in your face view of Half Dome. This massive granite mountain is an awesome sight, dominating the landscape. 6. The trail becomes a series of downhill switchbacks, through vast forests of trees. In the distance we can see Vernal and Nevada Falls coming closer, roaring full blast in the late Spring, but disappearing by late Fall. 7. We walk along the edge of a cliff, fronting the Yosemite Valley, somewhat similar to walking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Great photographer's spots everywhere, of Half dome, and the two waterfalls, framed between the trees, as we go downhill. 8. Walk down the path two miles to the Illilouette Fall, and then on the John Muir trail to Nevada Falls, and then to Vernal Falls, and down the 700+ granite stairs of the Mist trail. We go past the Vernal Falls footbridge, onto the lower mist trail, all alongside the raging Merced river, swollen by the melted snow of winter. 9. People wade in the water in the summer, when the falls are a trickle, only to slip on the wet rocks, and fall into the river and become one of 200+ people each year who need to be rescued, and taken out on a stretcher on an equipment cart on the paved Lower Mist Trail 10. The entire trail is 8.5 miles one way, starting at 7,200 feet and ending at 4,020 feet elevation, taking about 8 hours, open from June to October. 11. We walk only two hours, one hour from Glacier Point, and one hour back, taking in the best views of the Panorama trail -the time limit for the wife before making another pit stop! 12. We come back in time to enjoy a awesome view of the sun glimmering on Half Dome, and then the sunset on the Dome, before a harrowing drive in the darkness along the winding Glacier Point mountain road at night, with speeding tailgaters close on my tail.

This campsite was probably the worst I've ever been at. The campground "host" and I use that term…read moreloosely was basically non existent. In previous years, the campground host would have never allowed such egregious behavior from site 29. My parents; who are in their 60s, may not ever camp again because of the patrons in site 29. I hope that you see that getting rid of the old host was a massive oversight and your campground has gone to hell.

Great Camp Ground. Host was very attentive and very friendly with all guests. Kept the place full…read moreof firewood, and quiet at dark. it was absolutely breathtaking looking at the full moon against the Dunderberg Peak (mountain top over the Lake) and sun rises were the brightest orange casted all around appeared to be surreal and illusional but its real! Just absolutely amazing views based on the that alone! Very clean & stocked restrooms. Clean, camping sites, with picnic table, fire ring, and a big bear locker for food. There is ample room for tent camping on most sites too. Great for families, Couples, Gatherings, Pets are welcome on a leash. Some sites are prime with a lake view. We went without reservations on a Tuesday- there were 2 sites left when we arrived at 3pm( lucked out) we wound up in camp site 21- it's the first one on your left as you come inside. It was a great site; except.... very dusty as traffic puts out a lot of dust( in and out cars driving through) and it's on a hill slant. We stayed 4 days and we still managed to have a wonderful time despite those 2 minuses. Great Campground really! Trumbull Lake has great fishing and we will definitely try to go back!!

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: El Portal…read moreLength: 12.6 total miles Elevation Gain: 2,170 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Moderate to Difficult Duration: 6 hours-2 days Season: Best July to September Trailhead Elevation: 7,500 feet Top Elevation: 9,670 feet Other Uses: Horses The Ten Lakes Basin is extremely popular with weekend backpackers, for with only a few hours' hiking effort you can attain any of its seven major lakes. The three most accessible receive moderate-to-heavy use, but the other four, off the beaten track, are worth the effort for those who want relatively secluded camping. These lakes plus the two Grant Lakes are situated at about 8950 to 9400 feet, making them subalpine. Still, at least the three lowest of the Ten Lakes Basin warm sufficiently for enjoyable midsummer swimming

This is a hike I would recommend to friends and you. I was there on a gloomy day when all of the…read morefalls in Yosemite were going like gang busters. This was due to a Snow Melt in May 2019 from a 160 Percent to Average Snow Fall. Take your time and you may notice some special sights like the Moss covered Heart Shaped Rock which is about Four Feet across. The Popcorn look alike I believe is Tree Resin. It did look good enough to eat. Notice the Rock Overhang and be sure you do not hit your head! Be sure to check the trail instructions from Forevermemorable F.. Without them and the pictures he posted I would not have found the trail. I would recommend you use Hiking Poles to help you descend the trail. If you would like to see the upper part of this falls take a ride on "Big Old Flat Road", Location 37.727751,-119.713163. Here you will find a small Parking Lot across the road from the upper falls. Walk on the bridge and check for the cascades. One nice aspect of this spot is that even when the park is packed the are no crowds here. I think it is more interesting to view than Bridal Veil Falls and you can get very close to it. Please check my pictures to see what I mean.

The hike to the waterfall is less than 15 minutes but the trail is hidden. 99% of visitors stop off…read moreand stay in/around the parking lot. I went in the Spring when the waterfall was moving and grooving. Much too fast and powerful to get much closer. Check out the pics of my April visit. This place would be great to visit in the Summer and just chill in the pool just under the waterfall. If you need trailhead info PM me.

Mono Lake wasn't originally part of our trip, but we decided to stop, and I'm really glad we did :)…read moreI came here as a child but coming back with my own family and friends was awesome. We checked out the Discovery Center with the kids first, then headed down to the lake. It's such a cool place to see in person. The lake is super salty, so you can actually float, which my husband and the kids thought was so much fun! I wasn't brave enough to get in One thing to know before you go, there are tons of tiny brine shrimp in the water, so don't be surprised! They're harmless, just part of the lake's ecosystem but when they got out there were tons in their pockets The tufa towers are really unique and make the whole place feel unlike anywhere else. It's definitely worth walking around and taking in the views and beautiful for photos. If you're driving through the area or anywhere nearby, I'd definitely recommend making a stop. It's a really neat place to see, especially if you've never been before!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. While Mono Lake is not a national park, it became one of the most memorable stops of our journey. On our way from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Death Valley, we made a stop at Mono Lake, which happened to be right at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park. It was the perfect opportunity to explore this incredible area, and we were also able to spend a few hours visiting Yosemite along the way. Wow. Mono Lake was a place unlike anywhere else we had visited. The first impression is simple: it looks like another planet. Mono Lake is a very unique landscape, with its ancient waters and strange limestone formations called tufa towers rising from the shoreline. These formations look almost like sculptures created by nature, and walking among them feels like stepping into a different world. The combination of the lake, the white tufa towers, the mountains in the background, and the changing light creates an almost surreal experience. For me, this visit had an extra special meaning. My favorite album of all time is Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, and Mono Lake appears on the inside cover of the album. Seeing this place in person was a wonderful and unexpected gift. It felt like visiting a landscape that had been part of my imagination for decades. We spent time walking around the lake, taking in the silence, the unusual scenery, and the incredible contrast between the desert-like surroundings and the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Mono Lake may not be a national park, but it absolutely deserves a stop. It is strange, beautiful, peaceful, and unforgettable. Sometimes the places that stay with you the longest are not necessarily the biggest or the most famous, but the ones that make you stop and say, "Wow, I have never seen anything like this before."

Carlon Falls Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes because at the end, there is a beautiful…read morewaterfall and cold pool of water to swim in. The hike is about 3 miles and starts off in Groveland, in Stanislaus National Forest, and goes into Yosemite National Park. You will have to go on a dirt trail and go up and down a couple of rocky hills so make sure to wear good hiking shoes. There are spots along the river that you can stop at if you don't want to hike all the way to the end. But it's worth it to go to the end. There are waterfalls (not super tall), but very pretty, especially with the surrounding trees and nature. In the summer, when the temperature is hot, the water is very refreshing, but it is very cold. A lot of people enjoy swimming in the waters at Carlon Falls. Not only is this one of the prettiest hikes in Yosemite, it's free to hike this trail. Also, if you park your car up the road, the parking would be free too. I've done this hike 3 times in the past 4 years and have enjoyed it each time.

Really beautiful river trail that ends at a spectacular waterfall, not too far from Hetch Hetchy…read more Carlon falls trail begins outside the Carlon Day Use area with a small roadside lot. If it's full, you can park, for a fee, in the day use area. That's $10, cash only. There was a remarkably clean pit toilet as well as some picnic areas in the day use area. The trail itself is easy to navigate and only goes one direction along the river and to the falls. It's mostly flat and well shaded, until the end when you have to scramble up a rocky hillside. In May 2023, the cascades prior to the falls are running pretty intensely as were the falls. The surrounding forest was a bit gloomy as it's recovering from the Rim Fire. Still, the tall trees, new growth and some pops of wildflowers made for a fun hike. You also get some lovely river views. My fitness tracker put it at almost 3.5 miles. Nice little side trip when in the area and don't want to go from Hetch Hetchy down to Yosemite valley but still want to get some miles in.