Lyell canyon is a sub-alpine meadow of Tuolumne Meadows and intersects with a variety of popular trails, like the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trail. The first 8 miles of the trail is easy, with only a 100-foot elevation gain. Share. The trail beckoned me forward for a few more miles and river turns just so I could see what mother nature would provide next for my camera. Lyell Canyon is a bit longer, but one of my favorite stretches of trail in the park. Lyell Canyon just kept beckoning me forward, as it seemed to suggest every time I thought of stopping that I had much more beauty to see, and boy was that instinct correct. We quickly descended into the beginnings of Lyell Canyon. John Muir Trail: Yosemite Valley to Lyell Canyon. I also ran into multiple PCT 2019 hikers that had made there way through the Sierra snow packs and were getting to Yosemite on July 4th. Pictures taken August 2016. Day Five on the John Muir Trail… Yesterday’s hike up Lyell Canyon was relatively easy. From the first glimpses of the turquoise, glacial waters of Lyell Creek to the towering peaks and ridgelines surrounding Lyell Canyon to the 360 degree panoramas from the summit of Vogelsang Peak, this hike provides endless memorable views that are sure to leave you breathless. Once the trail leaves and heads up toward Ireland Lake and Vogelsang High Sierra Camp, the number people you will encounter drops significantly. How to Choose (And Use) A Bear Canister for Backpacking in 2021. The JMT trail is mostly flat and the views on the vista just continue to grow the further you hike. For better or for worse, my … Looking back at Lyell Canyon over a lake. Date of experience: September 2016. Follow the canyon south, then southwest as it climbs over granite ledges and benches. Views of the Cathedral Range and Donahue peak dominate the view down this sub-alpine meadow that follows the Tuolumne river. Skip to content. What a night in the Yosemite backcountry. … It is a startling way to wake up. October 15, 2016 June 21, 2018 Hiking Holly. However today I really wanted to experience the JMT for just a bit longer. Lyell Canyon Trail Map. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The advice turned out to be good, and I got to the top of the pass without walking on snow. Just like the rest of my trip the meadow lake was a great location to catch wildlife and pictures of Donahue pass, getting ever so large now in my sight. I considered Hanging the hammock hear and calling it a day for this trip and the location was divine and the river was spectacular this summer with all the run off still flowing strong. 2. Bears are … The canyon is a lush green meadow t After approx a mile you will come to a section i call Two bridges which is a beautiful spot where the Lyell fork of the Tuolumne river drops into several small cascades, and the meadow opens up on the Easter side of the trail with views of the backside of Mammoth Peak region. There are several creek crossings, … Read More. After I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from June through October 2008, I began to consider which hike would follow it. The beginning section (1st mile) alone is probably enough on this trail for the average visitor to spend most of their day, taking pictures, lounging by the river, seeing wildlife etc. 2. The best way to experience Lyell Canyon is through an extensive hike in the area. I found myself making multiple detours down to the river only to find some of the most beautiful swimming holes (Not this year as the water was Cold, and Fast) and again great location to hang a hammock and enjoy my day in the canyon. So we jumped in! Take the left fork across the bridge over the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River and you’ll be on the correct trail. Hike Type: Loop. The trail merges and splits a couple times in this region as this is also an area where Rafferty Creek Trail spurs off, Elizabeth Lake Trail has an exit path and visitors can also venture up to Gaylor lakes from this trail system via a more western route. We got on the trail about 8:30. I really wanted to pull the hammock out here and take another nap, but I had friend expecting me in Bridgeport that evening for fireworks and I was getting hungry. Identify the Number of People in Your Party. This alternate starting point is the furthest along the JMT, beginning in Tuolumne and bypassing the first 22.8 miles of the JMT. McCabe Lakes. You could do an overnight trip that direction and request a Half Dome permit as part of it. Its truly breathtaking and often pretty quiet with the exception of a few backpackers. Lyell Canyon - 10 Miles - From Tuolumne Meadows To Lyell Ford - We both slept fairly well. First, we would hike over our first serious pass. Most summit ascents are done either over or around the Lyell Glacier. … There are views of various peaks and many lakes to enjoy. But on the upside, my tent and gear were dry, so a significant improvement over the previous night. Read More. This three-day, 31-mile point-to-point runs south across two passes, rambles along tear-drop alpine tarns, and passes campsites framed by classic High Sierra vistas. but at approx 9 miles, I found myself thinking about my return trip and decided that it was a signal that I had better start my return to the car. Lyell Canyon via the John Muir Trail (easy) 8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip, 200-foot elevation gain; four hours. The canyon as well as Mount Lyell to the west is named after Charles Lyell, a well-known 19th century geologist and friend of Charles Darwin.. Give us a follow if you want to be kept up to date about what’s happening! Take the spur trail south to the John Muir Trail and make a left to follow the Dana Fork upstream. Our elevation gain for the day was modest by JMT standards (about 1,475 ft). At 11,056 ft, Donohue Pass was still covered with snow, and the altitude was as high as we had been on the JMT so far. Along this trail you’ll have a view of the Lyell … Since 1995, we've built travel guides that promote great outdoor destinations. Although not as picturesque as Lyell Canyon, Rafferty Creek Canyon is quite beautiful. Location & Information. If you’re just getting into overnight backpacking trips, this short one… We climb out of the South end of the flat floor of Lyell Canyon, still following the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River up, now climbing steeply, until we bend hard to the East, to make our way around the Right flank of that low rise in the center-Left of the … The meadow was covered in frost after the cold night, … Today, we would hit several big milestones. The first 8 miles of the trail is easy, with only a 100-foot elevation gain. The Yosemite Conservancy hike to the glacier is amazing. JMT: Lyell Canyon to Garnet Lake. Contact; Tag: Lyell Canyon. Lyell Canyon. These 5 entry points are currently the only options allowed for a SOBO thru-hike of the JMT, as there is an exit quota for anyone going over Donohue Pass (the JMT goes over this pass). Explore With Alec. Trailhead Elevation: 8,600 feet (2,620 meters) Elevation Gain: Less than 100 feet (30 meters) for the first 8 miles (13 km); 2,500 feet (760 meters) if … Much of the trail here followed along Lyell Fork. Learn how your comment data is processed. About Me; Landscape Photography; The Pandemic Roadtrip; Planning Your Trip; Iceland; Gear Review; Trail Report ; Hiking Arizona; Backpacking Yosemite: Lyell Canyon Day 1 Backpacking Yosemite: Lyell Canyon Day 1. A mix of forest, River and meadow settings, really makes this starting area a great high alpine Yosemite experience. The waters of Lyell Fork were so clear and so stunning, it was difficult to keep out of the water. I heard an owl during the night. As I end this day hike experience and start to head back down Tioga Pass for dinner, I remind myself to add this to my List of great day hikes in Tuolumne Meadows. Explore the endless chain of lovely meadows along the Lyell Fork. The return trip saw many backpackers who had finally got their permits and were headed in for their first night in Yosemite. At the top, I took off my shoes and socks to dry them out. General Notes: From the parking area near the lodge, cross over the road and find the … share. Not far from the beginning of the trailhead, you’ll find a fork. Whitney further to the south. There are some people who day hike TM to HI before a Lyell Canyon start. Lyell Canyon is one of the best day hikes in the park. When to Go. Lyell Canyon via John Muir Trail. These 5 entry points are currently the only options allowed for a SOBO thru-hike of the JMT, as there is an exit quota for anyone going over Donohue Pass (the JMT goes over this pass). Hotels near Mist Trail; Hotels near Mirror Lake/Meadow Trail; Hotels near Sentinel Dome; Hotels near Tuolumne Meadows; ... Lyell Canyon Review: 4/5. Share Tweet. As we hiked up Lyell Canyon, we saw pristine meadows, a multitude of tiny, nameless waterfalls down the steep canyon walls, wildlife and wild flowers. The two rangers started telling me about a hiker … Leave the trail before it makes its descent to cross the creek for the last time, about a mile below Donohue Pass. Hiking with Holly Mammoth to Yosemite: Day 4. The return trip follows Rafferty Creek back to Tuolumne Meadows. The direction that we went takes you to High Sierra Camp and Vogelsang Backpacker’s Camp, where you have a high elevation gain and can branch off and visit many lakes and other trails with day trips. The Sunrise Lakes trail joins the JMT at the 13.2 mile marker, and the Lyell Canyon entry point is located further down the trail in Tuolumne. There is a fantastic creek right at the junction and it is spring fed, … L1NK wrote a review Jan 2012. The hike to get to the JMT is 5.8 miles. Lyell to the SW from this point. The canyon is an easy hike from Tuolumne Meadows campground. The Lyell Glacier is split by a large buttress. You will cross both the Dana fork of the Toulumne river and the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne in the first mile. The Valley is Yosemite’s big draw, but readers like Dave Miller know that 33.6 miles of golden meadows, granite walls, and thundering waterfalls in Lyell Canyon offer bigger rewards. If you are planning a trip to Yosemite National Park, consider making a stop at Lyell Canyon for a hike. First, we would hike over our first serious pass. Highlights: Lakes, High Country. When filling out your permit application, you will have to rank each trailhead by order of preference and indicate a camp location for your first night. I sectioned hiked Lyell Canyon to Devils Postpile once before and absolutely loved it, but still I think … This alternate starting point is the furthest along the JMT, beginning in Tuolumne and bypassing the first 22.8 miles of the JMT. The reasons that lead to this is that everyone have started to establish their prefered pace, you start to get out of the touristy crowds of the main Yosemite trails, the options of the track becomes singular or highway like as some locals say … Trailhead: Lyell Canyon Trailhead/ Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center. Affiliate Disclosure: This site … Reviews. 18 Day John Muir Trail Itinerary from Lyell Canyon. Great! P.O. Leave the trail before it makes its descent to cross the creek for the last time, about a mile below Donohue Pass. 15 are available for hikers starting at the Lyell Canyon Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows; 20 are available for hikers starting from Happy Isles, Glacier Point, or the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead; 10 are held for walk-ups the day before the departure date from the Lyell Canyon Trailhead; The odds of getting this permit is roughly 3%. East and Northeast Yosemite This hike begins in Lyell Canyon but leaves the Canyon at Ireland Creek. By marcushellberg on 2019-07-30 2020-08-01. Contact information: LYELL CANYON TRAIL. My watch showed 37F when I woke up. The … Lyell Canyon hiking can consist of short treks of a little over a mile to longer backpacking adventures of 24 miles roundtrip. If you take your time, it is actually quite enjoyable. And we would bid adieu to Yosemite… and hello to the Ansel Adams … Southbound Yosemite Wilderness boundary into Lyell Canyon. The first day into Lyell Canyon in Yosemite National Park was one for the memory books. As per all my list rules, it has to actually be a hike I’ve done to make the list, so I set out of July 4th to hike the Lyell Canyon section of the JMT in Yosemite. This Canyon ’ s High Country of our trip enter steeper and forested... ( about 1,475 ft ) Toulumne River and you ’ ll happen when you stay the... Trail even if it 's muddy ) for wildlife photo ops, but it also requires careful.... Ca ) Yosemite National Park May be a good option for you as trailhead. 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At Ireland Creek up toward Ireland Lake and Vogelsang High Camp region probably 8 pm 7. You could do an overnight trip that direction and request a Half Dome permit as part of it and to... 2008, I began to consider which hike would follow it sub-alpine meadow that follows the Tuolumne Meadows, the. A large buttress quota of 45 hikers per day easy, with an elevation gain junction climbs southwest up Vogelsang... Through an extensive hike in the Park alive with wildlife ; ducks, birds, and. As part of this buttress lyell canyon hike provides access to the trail and views... Muddy in places ( please remain on the John Muir trail here followed along Lyell Fork were so clear so! To longer backpacking adventures of 24 miles roundtrip and tests you with 4,500 feet of elevation gain the waters... Remain on the vista just continue to grow the further you hike is for! 40 miles to the Ansel Adams … hike type: Loop trailheads through... Provides access to the southeast of Tuolumne Meadows, along lyell canyon hike Lyell Fork Comments ) posts!

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