tioga shoreline Most years Tioga Rd is open from June through October, but its important to check the NPS website for exact and up-to-date opening/closing information. Join our community. Unlike the Yosemite Valley, however, Hetch Hetchy was intentionally drowned when the OShaughnessy Dam was built in 1923 to supply water and electricity to the San Francisco Bay Area. Tax identification number: 52-1086761. The efforts provide much-needed improvements to the trail, including reconstruction of drainage features, rebuilding stone steps, rehabilitation of eroded rock tread, and a complete restoration of a 50-foot long retaining wall. Tenaya Creek flowing out of Tenaya Lake as a storm rolls in. Kolana Rock from Wapama Falls at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Make sure to check out our online store linked below, which will have fresh new products and apparel added on a regular basis. Backcountry enthusiasts have dozens more options to choose from, all leaving from Tioga Road, including the routes to Cathedral Lakes and Sunrise Lakes, the latter being a convenient stopover en route to Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Among the most beautiful natural attractions in Yosemite are its pristine lakes. 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700,Washington, D.C. 20005Phone: (202) 796-2500 | Toll-Free: (888) GOPARKS | Fax: (202) 796-2509 | [emailprotected]The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)3non-profit organization. Be aware of slick conditions along the south side of this loop trail during winter and early spring. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Civilian Conservation Corps made improvements along the Tenaya Lake South Trail, but subsequent years of minimal maintenance, frequent visitor use, and natural forces significantly impacted the trail and its surroundings. Lower Chilnualna Falls - Yosemite National Park, Wildcat Falls & The Cascades - Yosemite National Park, 10 Can't Miss Yosemite Valley Stops Summer & Winter, Wawona Swinging Bridge - Yosemite National Park, Pohono Loop Trail - Yosemite National Park, Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls - Yosemite National Park, Lower Yosemite Falls - Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon Rim Trail - Mather Point to Yavapai Point. supply water and electricity to the San Francisco Bay Area, Day Hike or Backpack to Yosemites Clouds Rest, Hike to North Dome in Yosemite National Park, Hike the Panorama Trail in Yosemite National Park. The Valleywide and East Valley Shuttles (7 am to 10 pm) serve the trailhead at shuttle stop #17. Ringed by craggy Sierra Nevada peaks, this is the largest natural lake in Yosemite National Park. "Mirror Lake. In winter it can be icy and snowy, especially along the south side of Tenaya Creek. Drinking water is not available at the trailhead or along the trail. During the Winter months, Tioga Pass closes due to snow, making the lake inaccessible. Often in the morning the waters are calm and cold, but by afternoon the winds can pick up and the sun can shine and glisten off the surrounding granite walls. In the Sierra Nevada high country off Tioga Road, Tenaya Lake (elevation 8,150 feet) is a literally breathtaking sight. Backed by Mount Hoffman, its a favorite picnic spot for families. This trail is open year-round. Come prepared, and if you opt to extend your hike to travel the full Mirror Lake Loop or up the Snow Creek Trail, plan accordingly. Today, the artificial reservoir at Hetch Hetchy is often the quietest place in the park, with its access road only open during daylight hours. Carry out all trash and food waste (fruit peels, shells, etc.). The nearest parking area is at Curry Village, though you can easily access the trail by parking anywhere in eastern Yosemite Valley and taking the free shuttle (get off at shuttle stop #17). Spanning approximately 3,000 feet, the trail was once used by American Indians as a trade route over the Sierra Nevada. Just be careful to only enter the lake from sandy beaches or gravel beds, to protect the shorelines fragile riparian habitats. Dont be tempted to leave the trail, and always remember when approaching moving water to look at the conditions downstream. The dam was built after many decades of political campaigning both for and against the dam, the latter forces led by influential conservationist John Muir. This is especially important during spring and early summer when water levels are highest. Stay on the trail! Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. Each year, more than 1 million visitors take in the lakes natural beauty and enjoy recreational activities like swimming, hiking, fishing, and more. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Thanks to the National Park Foundations grant, the generosity of Yosemite Conservancy donors, and the efforts of the National Park Service, the projects accomplishments will ensure that Tenaya Lake, and Yosemite National Park as a whole, is a better place for all those who visit. more information on current conditions preventive search and rescue/swiftwater videos, Keep your food within arm's reach at all times. Starting farther west near White Wolf, the hikes to Lukens Lake and Hardens Lake are also popular for picnicking, plus swimming at the latter. Tenaya Lake, nicknamed the jewel of high country, is an integral part of Yosemite National Park both ecologically and recreationally. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. There are no additional restrooms along the trail. Unsubscribe anytime by clicking the link at the bottom of your email. This week, Nate and I excited to announce our National Park collection on our joint Etsy store (SuddenlySee). Time: 1 hour round trip to the lake (end of paved trail); 2-3 hours for full loop With few natural barriers to hold onto or to brace yourself, it is fairly easy to slip and fall. This helps in offsetting the cost of running this site so we can continue to provide you with free content to help you plan your next adventure. vogelsang hike destination You may access the loop trail from the end of the paved path. Begin at: Mirror Lake Trailhead (shuttle stop #17). This trail begins at shuttle stop #17. When hiking on the south side of the loop, hikers often spot what appears to be an easy way to rock-hop across Tenaya Creek, either just for fun, or as a way to shortcut the loop and rejoin the trail without doing the entire loop. Your chances of capturing that photogenic image are best in spring and early summer, when the lakes water levels are at their fullest. From the parks east (Tioga Pass) entrance, take Tioga Rd for 15 miles to reach the lake. Sign up to receive Flying Dawn Marie Newsletters and early access to Travel Guides, Photo Cheat Sheets, and more! The loop follows Tenaya Creek beyond the lake, and crosses two bridges after the Snow Creek Trail junction before returning past Mirror Lake on the south side of Tenaya Canyon. Tenaya Lake sits at an elevation of 8,150 ft and measures over a mile long. nationalparks.org. You can also bicycle the first mile of the trail to the end of the paved service road. tenaya panoramas From there, you can either turn around or park your bike and begin your hike. Vault toilets are available about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from the trailhead and also 1 mile (1.6 km) from the trailhead at the end of the paved service road at Mirror Lake. Upper Catherdral Lake. Tenaya Lake from Summer 2020 in Yosemite National Park. The plan, completed in 2011, set out to address the erosion, fragmented wetlands, trail repair, parking congestion, and signage clarification in this area of the park. Keep your food within arm's reach at all times and do not feed the wildlife. While many remote alpine lakes are seen only by backcountry hikers and backpackers, Yosemite also has some aquatic gems that you can either drive right up to or visit on a leisurely morning or afternoon hike with the kids. The Tuolumne Meadows highlands are dotted with many petite alpine lakes. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Yosemite Conservancy the parks Friends Group then leveraged the grant to create a match and raise additional funds to address these needs. There are no docks here and motorized boat arent allowed, but fishing and swimming are permitted. Hiking is popular from this spotnot only can you enjoy the easy 3 mile hike around the lake, but trailheads on the southern edge of the lake (at the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead) lead to Cathedral Lakes, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, and Yosemite Valley. To get to the lake, take Tioga Road, which is usually only open from early June through mid-October. Formed by Tenaya Glacier, which flowed from the Tuolumne Ice Sheet to the Yosemite Valley, this lake is surrounded by stunning granite. Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip to lake and back; 5 miles (8 km) loop around lake Between 2013 and 2014, the park rehabilitated the trail on Tenaya Lakes south shore. Sign up to receive the latest NPF news, information on how you can support our national treasures, and travel ideas for your next trip to the parks. Hidden in the far northwest corner of the park, Hetch Hetchy once resembled a miniature version of the Yosemite Valley, with waterfalls leaping off cliffs and grassy wildflower meadows carpeting the valley floor. Kayaking on Tenaya Lake in Yosemite National Park, Sandy beach and picnic area on the northeast side of Tenaya Lake. Parking is not available at the trailhead. However, once the road opens (often by early June), Tenaya Lake is a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. The clarity of its waters, at the bottom of which you can see trees and granite rocks, is astounding. The lake is also a favorite spot for park visitors. Get a free Yosemite National Park trip planner with inspiring itineraries and essential information. Photo by Grant Ordelheide. (There is no safe access to the north side of Mirror Lake directly from the south side of the loop, except via bridges at the west and east ends of the trail). The trail along the south side of Tenaya Lake is one of the parks most popular hiking loops. Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow in late summer due to the lack of water and the influx of grasses and sandy areas. The weather can change suddenly here. Thanks to support from dedicated national park lovers, the National Park Foundation was able to grant $75,000 to the park in support of the Greater Tenaya Lake Area Plan. tenaya autumn If you enjoyed this post, you might also like. tioga yosemite The following are just a few of our favorite lakes and reservoirs in the park. Become a donor today. Along with the Yosemite Half Dome shirts you see on this blog post today, we have designed National Park checklists, T-shirts, and mugs from some of our favorite destinations. Polly Dome (left) and Medlicott Dome (center) bordering Tenaya Lake in Yosemite. Interpretive signs along the walkway atop OShaughnessy Dam tell about the history of the valley, including the controversial building of the dam itself. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. When winter conditions exist, consider making an out and back trip along the north side of the loop. Be aware that swift Summer storms can move in unexpectedly, but whatever the weather, this is indeed one of Yosemites most beautiful lakes. This section of trail often remains covered in snow and ice, even when the north side of the loop is snow-free. The first mile of this trail is a paved service road that leads directly to Mirror Lake. Leashed pets, bicycles, and strollers are allowed on the first paved mile of the trail. From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Rd up to Tioga Rd and travel east from Crane Flat for 31 miles to reach the lake. By submitting my email, I agree to receive correspondence from the National Park Foundation. This past weekend was wet and chilly in Yosemite, but with the Tioga Pass park entrance open for the season, it officially feels like Summer here no matter what the weather has in store! Even in summer, the surface of the lake may be partially covered with ice, but that doesnt stop swimmers from taking a dip or kayakers from paddling their way across the glassy waters. Photo by Kelly Bounchareune | Photo by Kelly Bounchareune" Photo: Photo by Kelly Bounchareune. When water is calm, the lake offers beautiful reflections of surrounding cliffs. While this crossing is only ankle deep at first, it quickly becomes thigh deep, and, all too often, hikers are swept into dangerous whitewater and pinned against rocks. This lake was named after Chief Tenaya, a prominent Ahwahnechee leader here. The Parks need your support. As a result, in 2008, the National Park Service assessed the growing maintenance and management needs of the esteemed park feature, and created the Greater Tenaya Lake Area Plan. Exhibits along the trail tell the story of Mirror Lake's lake-to-meadow succession, and also highlight some of the cultural history of the area. tenaya trailhead Photo credits: Tenaya Lake and before-and-after images courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy. At other times of year, it may be look like little more than a marshy meadow, though the scenic backdrop of Half Dome still makes it worth a trip, especially if youre an avid birder. This week were heading out of the Valley towards the east side of the park for an afternoon at Tenaya Lake. Get inspired with tips about where to go and what to see on your national park vacation, delivered right to your inbox. Thanks so much for much for joining me this week in Yosemite National Park. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Connect with the parks you love. As a part of the Merced River System, it provides water for the parks plant and animal life, and it affects life far beyond the boundaries of the park, providing fresh drinking and agricultural water for other parts of California. The plan guides a multi-year process, ensuring the parks ecological integrity as well as the ability for visitors to appreciate and enjoy Tenaya Lake now and for years to come. All of these improvements help protect and preserve Yosemite National Parks Tenaya Lake and its natural beauty. Elevation: 100 feet Tenaya Creek flows at the southwest end of the lake, and while its easily crossed in the late Summer and Fall by hopping on the rocks, if you want to hike this section during the Spring, the water levels can reach up 2-3 feet or more (making for a cold and wet stream crossing). Northeast of Tuolumne Meadows, Dog Lake is a three-mile round trip offering high-country peak views. West of Tenaya Lake, Tioga Road passes the popular trailhead to May Lake, just a 40-minute walk each way from the road. (Note that Tioga Road is usually only open from early June through mid-October, depending on the weather.). Unsubscribe any time we respect your privacy. Privacy Notice: The National Park Foundation adheres to the privacy policy found at For a virtual visit of Tenaya Lake, see my Behind the Blog YouTube video belowand until next week I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go. Morning mist rises off Tenaya Lake from Fall 2019. Mirror Lake has little water much of the year and, while pleasant at any time of year, it is fullest in spring and early summer, when Tenaya Creek flows freely with fresh snowmelt. Beyond that, they are prohibited. An easy two-mile round-trip stroll from the valley floor, Mirror Lake (elevation 4,098 feet) is famous for its reflection of Half Dome. Yosemite National Park shirt available on our Etsy store. Before the Mariposa Battalion drove out Yosemites original residents, the Ahwahnechee had long given this lake a very different name, Pie-we-ack, meaning lake of shining rocks.
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