Day Hikes Tuolumne Meadows - Help!

[DavinW]

Hi everyone!

My sister and I will be in Yosemite for three full days in mid-September. It is our first time! I am 30yo, she is 27yo. We are both in decent shape, but hikes longer than 8 miles in one go are probably too much for us (we may be able to do more than 8 miles, but only if those miles are broken into separate hikes and separated by lunch).

I have nice plans for Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley hikes for two of those three days, but I am restlessly indecisive on the day hike(s) to take on the Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Road day (1 day Glacier Point and Mariposa, 1 day Tuolumne, 1 day Yosemite Valley). Originally, I planned to spend the morning doing the hike to Cathedral Lakes, and then Gaylor Lakes in the late afternoon. The rangers explained, however, that Cathedral Lakes was 5+ hours and most people are too exhausted to try Gaylor Lakes after that. So here's my issue:

I'd *like" to do two hikes in Tuolumne Meadows: a big one and a smaller one. Should I do:

-Cathedral Lakes and Lembert Dome/Soda Springs (for sunset)?
-Mono Pass Trail and Lembert Dome/Soda Springs?
-Gaylor Lakes and Lembert Dome/Soda Springs?
-Any combination thereof, or other combinations?

I know that Gaylor Lakes is a shorter hike, but is spectacular. My Lonely Planet says "if you can only do one hike in Tuolumne Meadows, do Cathedral Lake," and that the Cathedral Lakes were some of John Muir's favorites. Mono Pass looks epic, and maybe less crowded? HELP! I am wracked with indecision....

Any suggestions/itineraries for a wonderful, full day of hiking in Tuolumne is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[balzaccom]

Those are all good choices. You can't go wrong. Gaylor Lakes is just stunning. Very steep trail, but just amazing.

And if you don't want to do Lembert Dome, Pothole Dome at the other end of the Meadow is also a great hike.

Wanna climb Mt. Dana?

[DavinW]

Thanks for your help! It sounds like Gaylor Lakes is the way to go. Everyone raves about Gaylor Lakes, and we could do more than one hike with the shorter Gaylor Lakes than with Cathedral Lakes or Mono Pass.

We hadn't considered Mt. Dana - perhaps I thought it would be too strenuous? I'll take another look at it.

Is there any validity that I'm missing out on a "signature" hike by foregoing Cathedral Lakes? It seems to figure so prominently....

Thanks for the help also re Lembert Dome and Pothole Dome!

[balzaccom]

Cthedral Lakes is nice...but it's not nicer than the others, and may have more people.

When you get to Gaylor Lakes, head northeast Cross/country to get to Granite Lakes as well

[DavinW]

Awesome! Thanks so much for your help! I am already having dreams of the Gaylor Lakes....

[Recycling1991]

I love Gaylor lakes and Granite lakes! Be sure to see the old Sierra mines remnants. Plus you're lucky that you're going in September; the mosquitoes should mostly be gone by now (they can be ferocious on the path to Gaylor Lakes).

Also, you may want to consider buying this book or seeing if your local library has a copy. It's got a great history of Tioga Road, some nice photos and stories, and you'll get a lot more out of your drive through the road and even the hike.
http://www.yosemiteconservancystore.com/Prod-235-1-256-67/Yosemites_Tioga_Country_A_History_and_Appreciation.htm

Finally, while up on tioga rd, be sure to stop at olmstead point, and tenaya lake. Pothole dome is fun.

Another fun trip out of the high country is saddlebag lake; there is a boat taxi you can take across and once on the other side, just hike into the wilderness.

This of course all assumes the road is open (from the valley), which is not the case right now. You can get to all these places from the lee vining side, but doesn't make sense, since you'll be in the valley.

[DavinW]

I love Gaylor lakes and Granite lakes! Be sure to see the old Sierra mines remnants. Plus you're lucky that you're going in September; the mosquitoes should mostly be gone by now (they can be ferocious on the path to Gaylor Lakes).

Also, you may want to consider buying this book or seeing if your local library has a copy. It's got a great history of Tioga Road, some nice photos and stories, and you'll get a lot more out of your drive through the road and even the hike.
http://www.yosemiteconservancystore.com ... iation.htm

Finally, while up on tioga rd, be sure to stop at olmstead point, and tenaya lake. Pothole dome is fun.

Another fun trip out of the high country is saddlebag lake; there is a boat taxi you can take across and once on the other side, just hike into the wilderness.

This of course all assumes the road is open (from the valley), which is not the case right now. You can get to all these places from the lee vining side, but doesn't make sense, since you'll be in the valley.

Thanks Recycling1991! I'm definitely going to get the book....

Do people have preferences for late afternoon/sunset hikes in Tuolumne? I was thinking a short jaunt up Lembert Dome, although all you guys really love Pothole Dome. We are going to Tenaya Lake and Olmstead Point for sure.

Hopefully Hwy 120 opens again within the next three weeks!!!

Thanks again everyone

[DavinW]

Update!

My sister and I went to Yosemite last week, from Tuesday, Sept. 17th to Saturday, Sept. 21st. We had a wonderful time! Partly because of very, very helpful advice from this blog, we had a very rewarding experience.

On the first day, we hiked the loop from Glacier Point to Taft Point, and then back via the Sentinel Dome Trail.The views of Half Dome and El Cap were phenomenal! We also tried to do the Mariposa Grove that evening, but it only made it as far as the Grizzly Giant because we were quite exhausted.

The next day we spent up in the high country. We did the Gaylor Lakes hike, and had lunch at Upper Gaylor Lake. The trail was very quiet, but we did bump into other hikers here and there. We then proceeded further up to the Great Sierra Mine, and a short jaunt provided a spectacular view of the Granite Lakes and the vast Sierra beyond. We ended the day on the Tuolumne Meadows/Soda Springs hike, and picture taking at Lake Tenaya and Olmstead Point.

On our last day, we did the Mist Trail all the way up to Nevada Falls, and then took the John Muir trail back down. This was a tough hike, but very rewarding. We enjoyed our lunch at the top of Nevada Fall very much! We then ended the day taking sunset pictures at Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Bridge, and at Tunnel View.

We are already looking forward to our next trip! Thanks for all the great advice! Happy hiking!!

Davin