Trip date: 7/21/2019

Location: Yosemite National Park

Permit/Pass: Private car, van, pickup truck, or RV: $30/car ($25 November through March), valid 7 days. Arriving on foot, horseback, bicycle, motorcycle or non-commercial bus: $15/person. Yosemite Pass (annual pass): $40. America the Beautiful--National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass: $80

Directions: From the west: Hwy. 120 becomes the Tioga Rd. at Crane Flat, where it turns north only to very soon work its way back to the east. From this junction drive just over 40 miles to Tuolumne Meadows where you'll take a right turn onto Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Rd. From the east: At the junction with Highway 395 in Lee Vining take Hwy. 120 west 18.5 miles (you'll pass the Yos. Pk. Tioga Entrance) to a left turn onto Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Rd. Follow the road as it turns east, passes the Dog Lake parking area and eventually terminates at the Lodge parking area. The trailhead is at the southwest corner of the lot.

Synopsis: This is a quick hit for an evening stroll. There's little elevation change and less stress. You'll cross a few bridges over sparkling streams, walk through some lovely meadows, and spend some time on a small part of the famous John Muir trail.

Trail map: NPS map

Trail sequence: Lyell Canyon trail (John Muir Trail)

Type: Out and back

Distance: 5.3 miles

Elevation: Min. - 8613', Max. - 8762'

Profile:

Rating: Easy-Moderate (factors: altitude)

Notes: We turned and headed back when we got hungry, but you can obviously continue along this trail for as long as you like.

Track: Lyell Canyon out and back - Yosemite NP: GaiaGPS

Turn by Turn:

  -- Pick up the trail at the southwest corner of the Lodge parking lot and head south for a short distance to meet a bridge over the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River.

  -- Cross the bridge and make an immediate left (east) walking, again, for a short distance before turning right onto the Lyell Canyon trail. From here you head south again, dropping gradually, to eventually reach the Twin Bridges area.

  -- Linger in this beautiful spot, then head over the bridges and follow the path south again, soon reaching another junction.

  -- Take a left and head east for a half mile before meeting the High Sierra loop trail on the right. Continue straight and cross over Rafferty Creek. From here you'll trend east for another mile or so before veering to the south.

  -- Once you can tear yourself away, return the way you came.

Photo gallery: Flickr