Pinecrest, California
Pinecrest, California, is a great destination for outdoor adventures. From scenic hikes to must-visit trails, the area offers plenty of options for those looking to explore the great outdoors. For the best trails, visitors should check out the Pinecrest Trail, which is a 4.5-mile loop through the forest and meadows. The trail offers stunning views and is a great spot for bird watching. Another popular outdoor activity in the area is fishing. The nearby Pinecrest Lake is a great spot for anglers of all levels, with plenty of trout and bass to be caught. Pinecrest also offers plenty of opportunities for camping, with several campgrounds located in the area. For those looking for a more scenic experience, the nearby Sequoia National Park is a must-visit. Here, visitors can explore the giant sequoias, take in stunning views, and hike through the park's many trails. No matter what type of outdoor activity you're looking for, Pinecrest, California, has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Pinecrest
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Yosemite National Park, California
Winter route to Sentinel Dome
5.019.23 mi / 2028 ft gainThe goal for our weekend was to do some winter camping in the Yosemite backcountry; we decided on Sentinel Dome as our destination. The trail is a cakewalk during the summer, but winter turns it into a 10 mile uphill grind from the car. Most people opt to head for the ski hut at Glacier Point, bu...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
Dewey Point via Badger Pass Ski Area
5.07.36 mi / 761 ft gainTake the one-hour shuttle ride from the Yosemite Lodge to the Yosemite Ski Area, so that you don't have to worry about driving in the snowy conditions, or finding parking. If you don’t own snowshoes, you can easily rent a pair from the rental shop for the day. Current rates are $24.00 for a full ...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Snowshoe to Cooney Lake
3.5 miWhen it's winter time, one of the best things you can do is experience the snow in the Eastern Sierra! If you've ever been hiking and/or backpacking in the Sierra, you know it's one of the most beautiful mountainous ranges in the US. Driving up the Hwy 395 North past Conway Summit, turn left on ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack to Nelson Lake
17 mi / 1000 ft gainHead 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 ...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point
5.021 miKnown for its breathtaking vistas, towering granite faces, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park truly is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Though the park covers nearly 1200 square miles, the vast majority of the ~4 million annual visitors spend almost all their time ar...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Cross-Country Ski to the Ostrander Ski Hut
Start your trip from the Badger Pass ski area. The Glacier point road is closed past here, and you'll spend your first couple of miles skiing mostly downhill to the Bridalveil Falls trailhead.The Bridelveil Creek trail gains slightly less elevation but is less scenic and longer than the more popu...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Fletcher Lake and Vogelsang Peak
19.03 mi / 2887 ft gainBefore 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 ca...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Tuolumne Meadows
5.0Tuolumne 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 ne...Read more -
Wawona, California
Lembert Dome via Dog Lake Trail
4.53.98 mi / 889 ft gainLembert 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 reac...Read more -
Wawona, California
Young Lakes
4.714.14 mi / 2710 ft gainThe 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 y...Read more -
Bridgeport, California
Virginia Lakes Trail
4.09.22 mi / 2464 ft gainIf you are looking for a hike with a view every half mile or so, then Virginia Lakes Trail is one to mark on your must-see list. You start at the parking lot near the first lake where bathrooms are available onsite. Try to hike right before the first snow in November so you can see the fall col...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Rock Climb Lembert Dome, Yosemite NP
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 ...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Mt. Conness
5.019.03 mi / 5243 ft gainThis 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 You...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Dog Lake Loop
3.03.71 mi / 627 ft gainThis 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 c...Read more -
Wawona, California
Waterwheel Falls
17.34 mi / 2520 ft gainWaterwheel 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 th...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Camp at Tuolumne Meadows Campground
5.0Tuolumne 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...Read more
