Sierra Nevada, California

Looking for the best hiking in Sierra Nevada? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Sierra Nevada. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Sierra Nevada

  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

    32 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...
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  • Wawona, California

    Dewey Point Trail

    4.95 mi / 315 ft gain
    This approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail is a great hike in Yosemite National Park. This trail starts off of Dewey Point's Meadow Trail, but you can also start from the Dewey Point Ridge trail, which you'll pass first when coming up Glacier Point Road. This trail is not dog friendly, but is a...
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  • Mono County, California

    Gem Lake via Rush Creek

    5.0
    6.91 mi / 2313 ft gain
    This hike starts next to Silver Lake in the June Lake Loop, located just north of Mammoth Lakes, CA off HWY 395. There is a parking lot near the RV park as well as street parking across the road from the trailhead.  Once you head out on the hike, you'll start gaining elevation as you hike up tow...
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  • June Lake, California

    Agnew Lake via Rush Creek Trail

    4.0
    5.11 mi / 1590.55 ft gain
    June Lake never ceases to amaze. In just about any weather, this particular portion of the 395 is something to be experienced in its entirety. If you are dedicating a day or two to explore the June Lake loop, then a trek to Agnew Lake is the perfect hike to throw into the plans. It is not extrem...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

    5.0
    7.51 mi / 1253 ft gain
    Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...
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  • Amador County, California

    Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass

    7 mi
    The trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit ...
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Winter route to Sentinel Dome

    5.0
    19.23 mi / 2028 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Dewey Point via Badger Pass Ski Area

    5.0
    7.36 mi / 761 ft gain
    Take 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 ...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Hike to Round Lake through Big Meadow

    3 mi / 1197 ft gain
    You will start out at the Big Meadow trailhead at the Luther Pass parking lot. It's three miles one way.  Near the end of the hike just before the lake the rock formations are prime...big trees, a crystal stream. The trail is well defined and easy going even though it's an 1100 foot gain in eleva...
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  • South Lake Tahoe, California

    Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT): Big Meadow to Echo Summit

    17.51 mi / 2949 ft gain
    Tahoe Rim Trail (TRT): Big Meadow to Echo Summit is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near South Lake Tahoe, California.
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  • June Lake, California

    Fern Lake via Yost Creek Trail

    5.0
    3.17 mi / 1583.33 ft gain
    Less than 30 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes, the beauty of the region is captured even on the drive to get to the trailhead. No bathrooms at the trailhead, however the town of June Lake is a short bit away.  Out of the gate, the trail quickly climbs 850 feet in just less than a mile. The way up,...
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  • June Lake, California

    Gull Lake Loop

    1.97 mi / 174 ft gain
    Gull Lake trail is one of my favorite hiking spots in the June Lake Loop area. It is a very scenic trail that goes through varying terrains from meadows to marshes to aspen and conifer groves.  Trailhead starts at the Mono County Community Center and winds counter-clockwise around the lake to th...
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  • Groveland, California

    Drive the Yosemite Valley Loop

    4.3
    Upon entering Yosemite Valley National Park I made it a point to see Half Dome, El Capitan, and Washington Column and several other famous Yosemite formations. What I didn't realize was as soon as I entered The Village was that all could be seen within a 15 minute loop around the valley floor. Th...
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  • June Lake, California

    Obsidian Dome West Loop

    6.03 mi / 732.94 ft gain
    The Obsidian Dome Trailhead provides access to a large network of winter hiking trails through Inyo National Forest. These are marked trails that are groomed on an intermittent basis by the National Forest Service. To find the trailhead and parking area, drive north on highway 395 from Mammoth La...
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  • El Portal, California

    Hites Cove Trail

    5.0
    6.8 mi / 791 ft gain
    The Hites Cove Trail is a scenic 7.8-mile round-trip hike nestled within California’s Sierra National Forest, near El Portal. Renowned for its vibrant spring wildflower displays, the trail meanders along the South Fork of the Merced River, culminating at the historic Hite Mine site. Ho...
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  • Mono County, California

    Obsidian Dome Trail

    4.0
    1 mi / 75 ft gain
    Located just off Highway 395 north of Mammoth Lakes, the Obsidian Dome is a dramatic volcanic glass formation within Inyo National Forest. The site is open year-round, weather and road conditions permitting, and is accessible via a short dirt spur from the highway. Permits & Fees Th...
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