Backpack atop Donohue Pass

Yosemite › Tuolumne Meadows Visitor's Center

Save List Review

98 Saves

Added by Alex Souza

Spend a night atop one of the highest passes along the JMT/PCT. Take in views across the Eastern Sierra and down through Lyell Canyon. You'll have the opportunity to bag Donohue Peak (12,023 ft.) or Mt. Lyell (the tallest in Yosemite at 13,114 ft.).

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 so of switch backs to the top of the pass). However your hard work will not go unrewarded. Camping atop Donohue pass is like spending the night on another planet. expansive views (well above the treeline) in every direction. Spectacular star gazing and vistas of nearby Mt. Lyell & McClure. However you are completely exposed to the elements at this elevation so camping here only during fair weather is a must.

If you want a night spent gazing from atop the world this is the place to go.

Pack List

Plenty of water
Sleeping bag
Tent
Wilderness permit
Camera gear
Backpacking essentials
Warm clothes

Please respect the places you find on The Outbound.

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures. Be aware of local regulations and don't damage these amazing places for the sake of a photograph. Learn More

Activities:

Photography, Backpacking, Hiking

Skill Level:

Advanced

Season:

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Trail Type:

Out-and-Back

Distance:

25 Miles

Elev. Gain:

2456 Feet

Rating:

Features:

Forest

River

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Are we missing something?

Suggest an edit

How to Get There

Get driving directions

Reviews

Leave a Review

Kevin Abernethy Follow

8 months ago

Backpack atop Donohue Pass

Awesome Views

This is one of my all time favorite camp sites. There is a small lake on the northwestern side of the pass that is perfect to set up your tent. Be sure to check weather conditions before you go, we had wind gusts over 50 mph and I woke up several times throughout the night because I thought we were going to blow away. If possible I'd recommend starting in the Ansel Adams wilderness and hiking down to Lyell Canyon. The canyon is beautiful regardless, but knowing everything is downhill makes the views even better.

8 months ago

Added by Alex Souza

Designer | Photographer | Adventurer

More Adventures Nearby

Hike to Balsam Forebay

Yosemite / Balsam Meadows Sno-Park

Access to the forebay starts at the trail head from the parking lot 6,700 ft up, also from the parking lot there is access to two different sets of boulder patches separate from the ones encountered .

Zack Valle

7 Saves

Camp at Buckeye Flat in Sequoia National Park

Yosemite / Buckeye Flat Campground

Entering Sequoia National Park at the Ash Mountain Entrance near the small city of Three Rivers, follow Highway 198 (Generals Highway) through the park until you see a sign for Buckeye Flat Campgroun.

Nick Garcia

10 Saves

Snowshoe to Cooney Lake

Yosemite / Virginia Lake Trailhead

When 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 beaut.

Stephanie Baker

1 Saves