Central Yosemite
Day Hike, Backpack, Horse
10.3 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Sunrise Lakes and Sunrise High Sierra Camp
The terrain passed on this quite short hike is varied and scenic, with two superb camping possibilities, the upper Sunrise Lake and Sunrise High Sierra Camp. Those who choose the latter are rewarded with a beautiful sunrise—the reason the camp is situated where it is. Hikers pursuing this route must, however, be prepared for a steep climb as you rise above the Tenaya Creek drainage: you ascend 1,000 feet in just 1.1 miles, an unusually sharp climb for a Sierra trail. You can’t avoid this climb, but if you wish to make it a shorter day, the hike to upper Sunrise Lake is just 3.55 miles each way.
Day Hike, Backpack, Horse
12.6 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Though Clouds Rest is higher than Half Dome, it is easier and safer to climb, and it provides far better views of the park than does the more popular Half Dome. Except for its last 0.1 mile, the Clouds Rest Trail lacks the terrifying, potentially lethal drop-offs found along Half Dome’s shoulder and back side, thereby making it a good trail for acrophobic photographers.
Day Hike, Backpack, Horse, Child-Friendly
5.7 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
May Lake is a very popular destination because it is such a short hike. Day hikers can reach it in about a half hour, and all but the slowest backpackers in under an hour. At a distance of 1.2 miles, May Lake has the most easily accessible backcountry campsites in the park, so it is ideal for novice backpackers or for those with young children. Meanwhile, Mount Hoffmann, easily reached in an afternoon from the May Lake campsites, is one of the park’s most satisfying short day hikes—a beautiful, not-too-long, but tough walk, with a little scrambling near the summit and views in all directions.
Day Hike, Backpack, Child-Friendly
9.2 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
North Dome, which looks so inaccessible from the Yosemite Valley floor, can be reached in a couple of hours by this route. From the dome you get perhaps the best views of the expansive faces of Half Dome and Clouds Rest, as well as excellent views of Yosemite Valley. Along this hike you can also visit one of Yosemite’s few known natural arches, colloquially referred to as Indian Rock arch, and also visit the true Indian Rock, a summit to the north that provides a broad panorama.
Day Hike, Backpack, Horse
12.3 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
The Ten Lakes Basin is extremely popular with weekend backpackers because with only a few hours’ hiking effort, you can attain any of its seven major lakes. The three most accessible receive moderate to heavy use, but the other four, off the beaten track, are worth the effort for those who want relatively secluded camping.
Day Hike, Backpack, Horse, Run, Child-Friendly
5.7 miles,
Out-and-Back
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5
Just over an hour’s hike from White Wolf Campground, this lake attracts quite a number of summer visitors, virtually all of them day hikers. Mid-June–July this shallow lake can be fine for swimming, but the lake lies in a leaky basin, and by mid-August it usually has dwindled to an oversize wading pool. Don’t expect to catch any fish because the lake becomes far too shallow by late summer to support any. The moist forests the trail traverses sport colorful early summer flowers—as does the slope north of Harden Lake, a possible extension to your day.