Trip date: 7/22/2019
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 39.5 miles to Tuolumne Meadows where you'll take a right turn into the Tuolumne Meadows campground. At the kiosk you'll get directions to the trailhead parking area. From the east: At the junction with Highway 395 in Lee Vining take Hwy. 120 west 19.1 miles to a left turn into the Tuolumne Meadows campground.
Synopsis: Mountain birdsong and gurgling streams, alpine lakes beneath snowcapped granite peaks and conifer-forest scented air. Like so many Sierra hikes this one is a feast for the senses. All achieved for a relatively (remember; your starting elevation is around 8500') cheap investment of effort. A Tuolumne jewel.
Trail map: NPS map
Trail sequence: Elizabeth Lake trail
Type: Out and back
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation: Min. - 8605', Max. - 9474'
Profile:
Rating: Moderate (factors: altitude, climbing, seasonal stream crossing)
Notes: There is a network of waterways on the north side of the lake that, when in full flow, may require getting wet in order to follow the trail all the way to the shore.
Track: Elizabeth Lake - Yosemite NP: GaiaGPS
Turn by Turn:
-- After making your way through the B loop of the campground to the trailhead, park in one of the spaces next to the restrooms and then walk across and up the road a bit to find the post that marks your start.
-- Begin climbing the short distance to an interpretive sign marking a junction. Continue straight, and up.
-- At about 2 miles of steady ascent you level out and cross head south toward the lake following its outflow stream.
-- There will be a fork just north of the shore that will allow - depending upon seasonal flow - access to west or east sides of the lake.
-- After enjoying the spectacular scenery retrace your steps to the parking area.
Photo gallery: Flickr