MODERATE HIKES
Elizabeth Lake (moderate)
4.8 miles (7.7 km) round-trip, 1,000-foot elevation gain; 4 to 5 hours
Begin at Tuolumne Meadows Campground near group camp
The trail begins in the B loop of the campground and climbs steadily to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak. The return hike follows the same route.
Gaylor Lakes (moderate)
2 miles (3.2 km) round-trip, 500-foot elevation gain; 2 hours.
Begin at Tioga Pass Entrance Station. (Shuttle service is available twice per day.)
This hike offers some of the most spectacular high-country views off of Tioga Road. From the trailhead, climb steadily to a ridge with views of the high Sierra including Mt. Dana and Dana Meadows with its scattered ponds. At the ridge crest, the trail drops 200 feet to Middle Gaylor Lake. Return via the same route.
Cathedral Lakes (moderate)
7 miles (11.3 km round-trip), 1,000-foot elevation gain; 4 to 6 hours.
Begin at Cathedral Lakes trailhead, 1/2 mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, Shuttle Stop #7
The trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lake. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). The return hike follows the same route. This is one of the busiest trails in the Tuolumne Meadows area. Since parking at the trailhead is limited, consider taking the shuttle bus.
Mono Pass (moderate)
8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip, 1,000-foot elevation gain; 4 to 6 hours.
Begin at Mono Pass trailhead, on the Tioga Road six miles east of Tuolumne Meadows (shuttle service is available twice per day).
This historic, trans-Sierra trail climbs gently at first from the Mono Pass parking area, through wet meadows and rushing creeks. At the Spillway Lake junction, the trail climbs steadily and more steeply to Mono Pass (elevation 10,600 feet). Don’t miss the spectacular view of Mono Lake and Bloody Canyon: from the pass, hike a bit farther toward Upper Sardine Lake.
Glen Aulin (moderate)
11 miles (17.7 km) round-trip, 800-foot elevation gain; 6-8 hours
Follow the Tuolumne River as it drops to Glen Aulin. Tuolumne Fall and White Cascade are four miles from the trailhead.
Beyond Glen Aulin are California Fall (13 miles roundtrip), LeConte Fall (15 miles roundtrip), and Waterwheel Falls (18 miles roundtrip). The return hike follows the same route.
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome (moderate)
Dog Lake: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) round-trip, 600-foot elevation gain; 3 hours.
Lembert Dome: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) round-trip, 850-foot elevation gain; 3 hours.
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome: 4 miles (6.4 km) round-trip; 4 hours
Begin at the Dog Lake parking area (shuttle stop #2, just west of Tuolumne Meadows Lodge).
The trail rises steeply for 0.75 mile to a signed junction. Turn left to reach the top of Lembert Dome for a spectacular view of Tuolumne Meadows and surrounding peaks. To reach Dog Lake, continue straight at the junction. Allow four hours for a leisurely four mile (6.4 km) roundtrip visit to both Dog Lake and Lembert Dome.
Stay off domes during thunderstorms!