TRAIL 36 Yosemite Valley’s South Rim
Dewey Point
TRAIL USE
Day Hike, Backpack,
Horse, Run,
Child-Friendly
LENGTH
7.8 miles, 3–5 hours (over 1–2 days)
VERTICAL FEET
One-way: +850', –590'
Round-trip: ±1,430'
DIFFICULTY
TRAIL TYPE
Out-and-Back
FEATURES
Summit
Wildflowers
Great Views
Camping
Secluded
FACILITIES
Bear Boxes
Campground
Toilet
Dewey Point provides an aerial view of Yosemite Valley’s landmarks from a western perch. You peer over the Cathedral Rocks as you gaze down the length of Yosemite Valley and up Tenaya Canyon. The hike from the McGurk Meadow Trailhead along Glacier Point Road is the easiest of routes to scenic Dewey Point. Unlike the rigorous, hot climb from the Wawona Tunnel, your route is a much cooler, rolling traverse confined between 6,800 feet and 7,385 feet. You have views only at the walk’s terminus, but along the way you pass through flower-filled McGurk Meadow and the dense, rich conifer forests along the valley’s south rim.
Permits
Overnight visitors require a wilderness permit for the McGurk Meadow Trailhead, issued by Yosemite National Park. Pick up your wilderness permit at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center, Big Oak Flat Entrance Station, or Wawona Visitor Center.
Maps
This trail is covered by the Tom Harrison Yosemite High Country map (1:63,360 scale), the National Geographic Trails Illustrated #306 Yosemite SW map (1:40,000 scale), and the USGS 7.5-minute series El Capitan map (1:24,000 scale).
Best Time
Wildflowers in McGurk Meadow are best from about late June to mid-July, but unfortunately bloodsucking mosquitoes also thrive when the soils are still moist. Therefore, late July onward is most relaxing, and because Dewey Point’s views do not change much (Ribbon Fall dries up early), the hike is a rewarding one through mid-October.
Of the three Cathedral Rocks seen from Dewey Point, the highest is the only one accessible to competent cross-country hikers—via an exposed walk up its south ridge.
Finding the Trail
From a signed junction along Wawona Road, drive 7.4 miles up Glacier Point Road to the signed trailhead, on your left. This is 0.25 mile before the spur road to the Bridalveil Creek Campground, which is the only campground along Glacier Point Road. The closest water faucets and toilets are at the pullout at the Wawona Road junction, in the Bridalveil Creek Campground, and at Glacier Point.
Trail Description
Starting from Glacier Point Road, ▶1 the lodgepole-shaded trail drops gently to the north of largely hidden Peregoy Meadow before topping a low divide. Next it drops moderately and reaches the south edge of sedge-filled McGurk Meadow, where you cross its creek (0.7 mile). ▶2 Until late summer, the meadow will have an abundance of wildflowers, including shooting star, paintbrush, cinquefoil, and corn lily. The trail skirts the western edge of a narrow finger of McGurk Meadow; a much larger expanse of meadow lies hidden to the west of the trail. Looking east from the meadow, note the low summits of the Ostrander Rocks. Leaving McGurk Meadow, you first reenter a lodgepole forest; soon crest a shallow, viewless saddle; and then descend at a reasonable gradient to a low-crest trail junction (1.85 miles) with the Pohono Trail. ▶3 The right (eastern) fork quickly drops to Bridalveil Creek; a collection of campsites is along the creek’s western bank, a pleasant late-summer destination for a family trip. Day hikers, if you haven’t brought along sufficient water, you can obtain some from this perennial creek.
OPTION: Pohono Trail
▶4 If you can get someone to meet you at the Wawona Tunnel, then you can turn this walk into a point-to-point hike by continuing west from Dewey Point and descending 4.75 miles to Discovery View (Tunnel View) along this highly scenic portion of the Pohono Trail. This route takes you past Crocker Point (in 0.6 mile), Stanford Point (0.5 mile beyond Crocker), and then down past Old Inspiration Point to Discovery View on the east side of the Wawona Tunnel, a total distance of 4.75 miles; the route is shown on the hike map. There is no permanent water source along the route, so bring enough with you. Reversing the walk is not recommended, as it is an arduous climb from the Wawona Tunnel to the valley rim, and an especially hot ascent in summer.
You turn left, heading west along the Pohono Trail, passing through a series of sandy flats, and then crossing a broad, low divide. The fir forest here is wonderfully dense—this is one of the rare bits of Yosemite to not yet suffer the consequences of a catastrophic forest fire, and it is well worth enjoying the deep shade that the lichen-laden firs provide. Traipsing along you cross three Bridalveil Creek tributaries, the first two larger, the third smaller (2.9 miles), ▶4 and then start up a fourth that drains a curving gully. To your right (north) are some small campsites, if there is still water in these tributaries. On the gully’s upper slopes, Jeffrey pine, huckleberry oak, and greenleaf manzanita replace the fir cover. In a few minutes you reach highly scenic 7,385-foot Dewey Point, located at the end of a short spur trail (3.9 miles). ▶5 If you have a head for heights, you can look straight down the massive face that supports Leaning Tower. Just to the right are the steep Cathedral Rocks rising on the other side of Bridalveil Creek. Looking across Yosemite Valley, the broad, smooth face of El Capitan rises high above the valley floor. Also intriguing is the back side of Middle Cathedral Rock, with an iron-rich, rust-stained surface. Finally, you see the Cathedral Spires head-on, so they appear as one. If you are hiking before July, you’re also likely to see wispy Ribbon Fall across Yosemite Valley. Bridalveil Fall, however, is blocked by the Leaning Tower. Due to transport difficulties, most people will return the way they came (7.8 miles). ▶6 However, if a generous party member is willing to return for the car, some of the group can continue west along the Pohono Trail to the Wawona Tunnel—see the Option.
Looking across to El Capitan and east into Yosemite Valley from Dewey Point
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▶1 | 0.0 | Start at McGurk Meadow Trailhead |
▶2 | 0.7 | McGurk Meadow creek crossing |
▶3 | 1.85 | Left onto Pohono Trail |
▶4 | 2.9 | Trail begins to climb |
▶5 | 3.9 | Dewey Point |
▶6 | 7.8 | Return to McGurk Meadow Trailhead |
MILESTONES