PCT: CA Section I - Tuolumne Meadow to Sonora Pass

The Young Lakes trail starts from the Lembert Dome parking area and then winds up around 6 miles into the high country past alpine meadows and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Lower and Middle Young Lakes are beautiful, but you're going to want to push on to Upper Young Lake, where you'll find the best views of the lot. One of my favorite campsites can be found here, but you'll ha...

Lembert Dome may seem impossible to scale when observing it from the trailhead, but it is actually a relatively easy hike up to the summit. It is by far the best way to see and admire Tuolumne Meadows, not to mention the granite top, which is a wonderland to explore. There are a few ways to reach the top. The first and most popular route is through the Dog Lake/Young Lakes trailhead, it is loc...

Lembert Dome stands out clearly as it is right along the road with a fairly large parking lot, about 1/4 mile past the Toulumne Store. There are multiple routes on this dome and for detail on all climbs, pick up the Tuolumne Free Climbs climbing guide. The area around this dome is gorogeous with views of various peaks, the river below and the meadows of Tuolumne. Most climbs on Lembert Dome are...

This 3.7 mile roundtrip hike begins at the center of Tuolumne Meadows (shuttle stop #2) at the Lembert Dome/Glen Aulin trailhead parking lot. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the east side of the lot, there you will also find the trailhead to Dog Lake.  The trail begins at 8,500 ft and continues upward on a fairly steep incline for the first .75 miles (bring extra water) where you will...

This trip is best done as a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip making camp at Young Lakes, however it is possible to do it in a single day long haul. Start at the Lembert Dome Parking Lot and take the trail via the Dog Lake route towards Young Lakes. It's about 7 miles to the upper of the three Young Lakes. Find the renowned "ledge" campsite that over looks the lower of the two lakes and Ragged P...

Waterwheel Falls may be the most unique waterfall in Yosemite. During high waterflow an extraordinary phenomenon appears as the raging water hits a series of ledges creating a plume, this coupled with strong gust blowing upward create cyclical "waterwheel" effect hence the name. On a good day these waterwheels can reach heights of 30ft. Bring the camera, tripod, and neutral density filter for ...