Vogelsang Camp to Merced Lake Trail

Head to any Yosemite wilderness station for a map, bear canister, and permit for Nelson Lake. The trail itself starts in the Tuolumne Campground at Elizabeth Lake trailhead. Follow the trail 2.2 miles up to Elizabeth Lake and remember the lake itself is in a no-camping zone, so you must continue before setting up camp. Continue off trail following Unicorn Creek south to a small pass between Joh...

Tuolumne Meadows is on Tioga road northeast of Yosemite Valley, at elevation 8,600 feet. Sites are available July-September at $26. Dogs are allowed but be sure to pack the leash!  More info: https://www.nps.gov/yose/plany...

Make the .75 miles detour off of the John Muir Trail to reach this spot and you won't regret it. Lower Cathedral Lake is typically less populated than nearby Upper Lake and has some of the mot beautiful scenery on the JMT. Sunrise and sunset with the reflection of Cathedral Peak on the glassy water is the best way to end and begin your day on the trail. Bonus: head to the west side of the lake ...

Before you head out for the trip, you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. You can get one online from the Yosemite website or pick one up at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center or from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley. Go to Yosemite and take Highway 120 up to Tuolumne Meadows. You can park along the road for free where there is space. The first part of the trail is combined with th...

Tuolumne Meadows at an elevation of 8,619 feet exemplifies the high country of the Sierra Nevada, with its sweeping sub-alpine meadows, granite domes, summer wildflowers and meandering rivers. When the forest opens up park along the side of the road and find a trail.  There are also plenty of nearby hikes including Pothole Dome trail, which tracks along the western edge of Tuolumne Meadows. Th...

Donohue Pass lies on the border of Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Both the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) route through this pass at 11,056 ft. A challenging but beautiful hike that starts from Tuolumne Meadows and follows the JMT for 12.5 miles to the top of the pass with an elevation gain of 2,456ft.(most of which is gained in the last mile or...