The Best Hidden Gems of Yosemite

Description:

The building of the O'Shaughnessy Dam within Yosemite NP was perhaps the nation's first great conservation battle.  The city of San Francisco gets the water and the electricity, the park gets either an ugly water tank, or a quiet canyon with few visitors, depending on your perspective.  Almost no one comes out here, and some people feel that the reservoir actually saved this canyon from the overdeveloped infrastructure of Yosemite Valley.  There are still high granite walls, tremendous waterfalls and some fine hiking - truly an unknown sister to Yosemite Valley.  Spring flowers are terrific.  In the winter the road is closed at night and sometimes closed all day in snowy or icy conditions.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River runs crystal-clear down the valley from the snow and glaciers around Yosemite's highest point --- Mt. Lyell. Far up the valley you'll find beautiful subalpine meadows and great campsites. Consider taking the spur to camp at Ireland Lake, a deep blue lake at the head of a huge alpine plateau and surrounded by an amphitheater of peaks. Or, continue up to the meadows below Mt. Lyell or Mt. McClure for the ultimate Yosemite backcountry experience.

Description:

Begin this hike through Lyell Canyon at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. The trail leads 12 miles southeastward to the park boundary at Donohue Pass. From the parking area cross the access road to a trail that crosses the Dana Fork. After crossing the Dana Fork the trail leads south approximately one half mile to another junction. This is the JMT leading eastward along the Lyell Fork from Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Turn left on this trail and follow it one half mile to the next junction. At this junction follow the left fork along the Lyell Fork. The right side of this fork follows Rafferty Creek. From this trail junction the path crosses two branches of Rafferty Creek before entering Lyell Canyon. Views along the path include the Kuna Crest which rises above the eastern wall of Lyell Canyon. After four miles of hiking through flood plain meadows and conifer forests the trail reaches a junction. The left fork leads southward to the head of Lyell Fork. Follow the left fork, which will bring you to some excellent riverside campsites. These sites are best for camping in late July through mid September after the mosquito population diminishes. Within a half mile the trail crosses Ireland Creek as it follows the western bank of Lyell Fork. Approximately three miles from the trail junction the JMT reaches an excellent camping site shortly beyond the mouth of Kuna Creek. This is the last resting area before ascending the southern canyon wall of Lyell Canyon and a good place to camp. Beyond this flat area the trail climbs 2,000 feet in the next three miles. It winds its way up the canyon crossing the headwaters of the Lyell Fork. Close to the summit of Donohue Pass hikers will enjoy views of nearby glaciers among other natural features.

Our Local Expert Says:

Look at the NPS or YA website in June for details on each season's Parsons Summer Series of top-notch speakers.

Description:

This rustic granite and timber building near Soda Springs is a good place to visit while exploring Tuolumne Meadows, the place where John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson conceived the idea of establishing Yosemite National Park. Walking to and from Parsons will give you a sense of why Muir called the Sierra the "range of light." The former Sierra Club building is staffed by Yosemite Association volunteers, was designed by the famed Bernard Maybeck, and has exhibits that feature area history and natural history.  Ranger Margaret Eissler assembles and hosts an excellent speaker series every weekend all summer.  Speakers include authors, scientists and artists whose work is relevant to Yosemite and the Sierra.  Every August one weekend is devoted to the Tuolumne Meadows Poetry Festival, which includes leading lights of the genre. Parsons is open in the summer only.

Description:

The non-profit Yosemite Association operates the Yosemite Art and Education Center in cooperation with DNC and NPS.  All summer (May-September) there are free art classes taught by a different visiting professional artist each week.  You can sign up beforehand, or just show up (and hope it's not filled); classes run from 10-2, Wednesday through Saturday.  The YAEC has pretty much everything you need for art supplies for painting/sketching en plein air, as they say.  Few studios are as remarkable as Yosemite and this center helps beginning and experienced artists alike to take a bit of Yosemite home on paper.  The center relies on donations, so consider a little something for the effort. 

Description:

The trail to May Lake is an easy, short ascent. It is suitable for children and overnight stays. The hike begins at the May Lake Trailhead at the end of May Lake Road or Old Tioga Road. It ends at the May Lake High Sierra Camp. This site consists of cabins with a backcountry feel. Reservations can be made for these cabins, but are necessary at least a year in advance.

Description:

This trail runs between May Lake, west of Tuolumne Meadows, and Mirror Lake, in Yosemite Valley. The total mileage of this trip is ten and a half miles with an elevation change of approximately 4,700 feet. For most of the route the trail roughly follows Snow Creek to Tenaya Creek.  Get a permit for an overnight trip, or have a driver drop you off and pick you up on the far side.  Astounding views of the face of Half Dome. 

Description:

This trail begins from the Tenaya Lake Trailhead along Tioga Road slightly west of the lake. Follow the paved access road from the trailhead parking area across the outlet of Tenaya Lake to a trail junction. Bear right at this junction to reach Sunrise Lakes, Sunrise High Sierra Camp and Clouds Rest. The left fork leads along the southern shore of Tenaya Lake. The trail leads westward for a short distance following Tenaya Creek then turns sharply southeastward. Within a half mile of the trail junction this route descends slightly to cross the outlet of Mildred Lake. Shortly beyond this stream crossing the trail fords the outlet creeks of upper, middle and lower Sunrise Lakes. After leaving the third creek, switchbacks begin. The trail climbs 800 feet to a junction. At this junction follow the trail leading right, which is Forsyth Trail. From the trail junction Forsyth Trail descends slightly then levels for a quarter mile as it reaches a small pond. Pass the pond, unless you plan to camp along its shores, and continue descending slightly to three stream crossings. The trail will turn westward and ascend somewhat before reaching the third small stream crossing. Beyond the third stream crossing the trail begins to ascend slowly and reaches a trail junction. Follow the Clouds Rest Trail to the left. This trail ascends steadily to the final summit approach of Clouds Rest. Upon reaching the final ascent of this peak the trail ends and you ascend the northeast ridge of the peak. The final climb is along a natural granite staircase with plenty of exposure. The views from the summit are worth the work it takes to reach the top of Clouds Rest.

Description:

A rough-and-tumble Prohibition-era entertainment destination for the workers who built the dam that flooded nearby Hetch Hetchy Valley, Evergreen Lodge was reborn in 2004 as one of the best cabin resorts in the Sierra Nevada. The district is centered on a main lodge with a store and restaurant and main plaza with a Wi-Fi-enabled recreation center (complete with the HQ for an in-house guide service). Located off the beaten path halfway to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir -- a full 7 miles from the roar of the highway -- the lodge underwent a $10-million renovation after new ownership took over, building new cabins and renovating others (and appropriately banishing phones and TVs from them), and the end results are tremendous: rustic art made from peach boxes, rockers on the decks and porches, a fresh and comfortable feel, and space for two to six guests. (Also available: "Custom Camping" sites with tents furnished with raised air mattresses and the necessary gear.) A great getaway spot for families and couples alike, Evergreen Lodge offers an extensive slate of activities, including guided bike rides and hikes, live music, basket-weaving and dancing classes, and s'mores on the campfire. Meals are excellent, and the woodsy bar is a classic.