Walking / Hiking, Yosemite National Park

by karenincalifornia
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Yosemite Falls before
dawn

In early January, sunrise at Yosemite isn't until 7:30 am, which is way too late to start my day. Some of the best walks are taken before the sun is up. At 6 am, I put on my Sorels, grabbed a flashlight, and took the most beautiful walk to Yosemite Falls.

Before the sun hits Yosemite Falls, the canyon wall around the falls is covered with layers of ice ice. This picture was taken before sunrise. The white of the upper falls is not water but mostly ice. Only a small trickle of water was actually flowing down.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: MT HOFFMANN Tip Rating:

on November 30, 2003

From Hoffmann over Lake May
and the Sierran Crest

10850 feet/3307 meters high, this is an easily climbed peak ascending a boot path from the south shore of May Lake up through meadows and marmots. The peak is in the middle of the Park and appropriately, you see most of the Park from up here.

Directions: The turnoff of CA 120 for May Lake is just west of Olmstead Point.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: MT CONNESS Tip Rating:

Updated By mtncorg

on November 30, 2003

Summit plateau south of peak
of Mt Conness

A step above in difficulty from Dana is Conness. Your easiest approach is either overnight from Young Lakes - reached going north from Tuolumne Meadows - or on a long dayhike from the Forest Service campground just south of Saddlebag Lake. You go up the obvious valley to the west, along the south arm of Conness, ascending scree to a pass at 11400 feet/3455 meters where you meet the path coming up from Youngs Lake. From the pass, the way goes up onto a broad plateau just southeast of the summit, easily reached now by scrambling up the big blocks. West and East faces of this mountain are the scenes of Sierran classic climbs.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: MATTERHORN PEAK Tip Rating:

on December 1, 2003

North from the Matterhorn -
glaciers and peaks

Far from the confines of Disneyland, another Matterhorn Peak rises at the south end of the Sawtooth Range. 12279 feet/3721 meters high, this peak doesn't really resemble its Disney or Swiss cousins. From atop Horse Creek Pass, you simply and slowly ascend the southeast slopes to the Peak above. To the north, cliffs and glaciers sit high above Twin Lakes; Bridgeport sits among alfalfa fields off to the northeast. South and west, mountains rise like waves on the ocean.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: DANA VIEWS - IS THIS HEAVEN? Tip Rating:

Updated By mtncorg

on November 30, 2003

Mono Lake floating to the east
of Mt Dana

From the midlevel plateau, easy talus slopes take you to the summit above. Careful of the altitude, this peak is 13053 feet/3979 meters high. You definitely find breaths harder to come by up high. Views are incredible in 360 degrees. The Sierra goes north and south. Mono Lake floats to the east.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: SUNRISE MEADOWS Tip Rating:

on November 30, 2003

Mt Lyell beyond Sunrise
Meadows

In another direction from Tenaya Lake, you can go due east towards this large subalpine meadow. Instead of dropping down into the meadow, wander out through open forests onto the open shoulder to the west and above the meadows. Your views are hopefully as glorious as your lunch. The Cathedral Range and glaciers of Mt Lyell lie beyond.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: CLOUDS REST Tip Rating:

on November 30, 2003

From Clouds Rest to Half Dome
and Yosemite Valley

Most attention centers on Half Dome and that is fine with me. Clouds Rest - 9926 feet/3025 meters - is not ony higher but provides much wider views. It is a long ways from the Valley floor. Better to hike up here from Tenaya Lake.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: HORSECREEK PASS Tip Rating:

on December 1, 2003

Flowers above Horse Cr
Pass on the Matterhorn

Very few people access the northern reaches of Yosemite Park. This is a trail-less way in which you can gain access to this country. Hiking out of Twin Lakes - near Bridgeport and just out of the Park's northern border - on the Horse Creek trail for 1.5 miles to a hanging valley, you turn south off the trail. A good boot path goes up the little valley eventually winding up among talus slopes high up on the 10680 foot/4145 meter pass. From atop the pass, easy open country awaits down Spiller Creek.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: MT DANA - CREST OF THE SIERRA Tip Rating:

on November 30, 2003

Midlevel plateau - Mt Dana;
summit ahead

This is one of my favorite spots in the Sierra. From the fee station at Tioga Pass, wander on obvious bootpaths east past lakes to the foot of Mt Dana where the path gains elevation quickly. A long steep section goes by and you come to an alpine meadow above the timberline. Look closely, normally there are yellow-bellied marmots to greet you.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/

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	Walking / Hiking: Trail to Columbia Rock Tip Rating:

Updated By Ischyros

on September 11, 2002

by Ischyros
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View from Columbia Rock

The trail to Columbia Rock is actually the first mile of the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. Although it's only 2 miles round trip, the entire first mile is a tough uphill climb, negotiated almost 50 switchbacks. Columbia Rock is easy to miss as it's not signed. Just before an exposed steep sandy section of the trail, look for a railing through the trees to the right. This is Columbia Rock. The views across the valley to Half Dome make the strenuous climb very worth it!