grand canyon of the tuolumne campsites

There are some excellent campsites to be found at Ten Lakes. You can get to this campground from the Arch Rock Entrance by … Prior to submitting an application for a permit, check the Yosemite National Park trailhead map and trailhead permit availability report (if applying fewer than 24 weeks before your start date). Distance: 4.7 mi. When you click a link and make a purchase, a small portion of the sale helps support the blog. The primary challenges are the ~4,000 foot elevation different between White Wolf and Pate Valley and the high afternoon temperatures within the canyon. For our itinerary, we parked at White Wolf and began our trek from there. If you live at sea level, you are sure to feel the effects of high altitude. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Jump to Day 1: White Wolf to Pate Valley The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. More info on the transit options can be found here. For an enjoyable experience, I recommend a 4 day trip. Be sure to take photo ops and snack breaks to enjoy. If the White Wolf facilities are open, you can camp at the backpackers campground there and start directly at the trailhead. Join the Wildland Trekking Company on a journey in John Muir’s footsteps through the incomparable Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River! Boy Scout Troop 8 hikes, fishes & swims the Grand Canyon Of the Tuolumne. The canyon’s breathtaking scenery is punctuated by impressive waterfalls as the Tuolumne River loses elevation. If you have the opportunity to visit, you are sure to be rewarded by the pristine beauty of the Grand Canyon of Tuolumne. #2 Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Valley Updated: 2019-05-13 The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is the notable canyon section of the river valley of the Tuolumne River, located within Yosemite National Park, in Tuolumne County and the Sierra Nevada, California. It begins with a quick 650 foot ascent out of the valley at Ten Lakes. After crossing a bridge over the Tuolumne River, make sure to bear right at the junction. The Trip John Muir wrote, “There is not a dull step all the way” to describe hiking through the entire length of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. The climb is also very exposed to the sun, so it is best tackled early in the day. A backpacking trail follows along this section of river with trail heads accessing the canyon at Tuolumne Meadows and White Wolf Campground on the Canyon’s south rim. The name alone, Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River, brought joy to my heart and called to me. It is situated within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park in California. The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River starts below Tuolumne Meadows and ends just above Hetch Hetchy Valley. Our group chose to bear left here, which makes for a lot of downhill on the first day and a somewhat gradual climb throughout the remaining four. If you do not own a bear canister, you can rent them from the various Wilderness Centers in the park for ~$5 per week. Length 57.7 mi Elevation gain 11,509 ft Route type Loop Glen Aulin is one of five Yosemite High Sierra Camps. I also like to pre-treat my clothes and tent with permethrin spray repellent. Temperatures within the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne can get very hot during the middle of the day and some sections of the trail are very exposed to the sun. He's now a full-time nomad and travels the American West in an RV with his wife Kim and daughter Maia, doing hikes along the way. If the weather is expected to be warm, consider leaving early in the morning because much of the trail is exposed within the warm canyon. Recommended campsites include Water Wheel Falls and Pate Valley. Marvel at towering rock formations and thunderous waterfalls. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. Required fields are marked *. The ascend is steady but modest for the first 4 miles. Overall this hike is fairly tough because it involves a long, steep descent. By the 4 mile mark, the trail begins to flatten out again and the river begins to wind through a meadow. Lembert Dome viewed from near the Tuolumne Meadows Backpackers Campground in Yosemite National Park, Cooling down in the Tuolumne River with a view of Colby Mountain, in Yosemite National Park, After setting up camp we cooled off in a large swimming hole at the base of California Falls, Jump to Day 2: Pate Valley to Grand Mountain, Jump to Day 3: Grand Mountain to California Falls, Jump to Day 4: California Falls to Tuolumne Meadows, adidas Outdoor Terrex Fast R Gore-Tex Shoe, Minus33 Merino Wool Kancamagus Midweight Bottom, Minus33 Merino Wool Chocorua Midweight Crew, Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles, Higher resolution version of the overall map for Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (, a quick drying long sleeve hiking shirt (, small amount of duct tape for gear repairs, small plastic water bottles filled with whisky . For this specific itinerary you start at the White Wolf to Pate Valley Trailhead. For this specific itinerary, it is easiest to stay at the White Wolf or Tuolumne Meadows backpackers’ campgrounds. On the first day we hiked from White Wolf down to the Tuolumne River in Pate Valley. You then enter the Glen Aulin valley/meadow and hike along flat terrain for ~1 mile. Just after the bridge over the Toulumne River in Glen Aulin, leave the PCT and follow the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Trail west for about 9.5 miles passing California, LeConte and Waterwheel Falls as well as number of spectacular swimholes and campsites. The hike starts with a climb up over California Falls. The two campgrounds are connected by highway 64, also known as Desert View Drive. After Glen Aulin, the trail begins to climb again and you exit the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. October 4, 2017Updated: September 19, 2020by Max Karren. Then, the trail begins to steeply climb away from the river as it traverses around the Muir Gorge. We were kicking ourselves for not bringing our favorite mushroom book along. Park operation updates related to COVID-19 can be found on the Grand Canyon National Park Public Health Update webpage. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. However, the great views made up for the many switchbacks and stairs. Geography It never left my mind and became a high priority at the start of 2016. If you plan to hike more than 10 miles in a day through the canyon, I suggest leaving early in the morning. The river drops dramatically in this section and since you are hiking upriver, you will ascend quite a bit on day three. You can call and make reservations … If completing the route in 2 or 3 days, expect a more difficult hike. Backpackers must pay $6 per person to camp and you pay with exact cash at the campground. You then start the steep drop into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The waterworks of the Tuolumne are not to be missed, whether they’re found in Muir Gorge or the 4 sets of waterfalls listed above. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This website participates in affiliate marketing. Nothing — and I mean nothing — reveals the beauty of Grand … Day 3:  6 miles; +2,070 feet / -370 feet; Grand Mountain to California Falls. December 27, 2018Updated: September 19, 2020, September 19, 2019Updated: October 7, 2020, Your email address will not be published. Tuolumne Meadows stables follow the PCT for about 6 miles to Glen Aulin. After the descent, the trail begins to follow the Tuolumne River. Grand Canyon Camping in Tusayan, just 7 miles South of the Grand Canyon, for RV Camping and more is available at Grand Canyon Camper Village.Camper Village is located just across the street from the Grand Canyon IMAX Visitor Center and behind We Cook Pizza, The General Store, Buck Wild Hummer Tours and the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce. Your email address will not be published. Trail Conditions and Difficulty: Backpacking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is of moderate difficulty when the 33 miles are covered in 4 (or more) days. We camped in one site that was nearby a good swimming hole with a beach. The permethrin treatment stays on your clothes for up to 7 washes, so it helps reduce the amount of spray you need to put on your skin. You only pay the fee if you permit application is accepted and confirmed. +6,000 / -5,500 feet of elevation across the course of this trek with a peak elevation of 8,660 feet. Here are the steps to take when booking camping sites in the Grand Canyon’s North Rim Campground. So, we got off to a very early start hiking in the morning (~5:45 am) and hiked the 8 miles back to the visitor center. During our four days of backpacking, we seek to experience what Muir felt. The area receives relatively few visitors, especially when compared to Yosemite Valley. The real highlight though, was the view continuing into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. This is a great place to refill your water bottle. At ~6.5 miles you reach Soda Springs and then cross Tuolumne Meadows on your way back to the Visitor Center. The hike begins at White Wolf Trailhead at the end of White Wolf Road, off of California State Route 120. The Wildland Trekking Company: Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River 7/6/2015 - 7/9/2015 - See 297 traveler reviews, 296 candid photos, and great deals for Yellowstone National Park, WY, at Tripadvisor. Hiking later in the summer provides safer stream crossings but also brings very hot temperatures and lower flow in the Tuolumne River (and thus less spectacular waterfalls). If you ha… Emigrant Wilderness and Northwestern Yosemite, Sierra North: Backcountry Trips in California’s Sierra Nevada, Yosemite National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map). We value your privacy and do not share your personal information. At its highest point, the trail climbs to 9,800 feet only to drop back to 8,450 feet then climb back up to 9,600 feet. 2. Assuming you follow the same itinerary, it is the furthest distance, most elevation gained, and highest elevation you will reach on any day of the trip. We found it shortly after crossing the two bridges. Here the river increases its descent through a stunning series of waterfalls, pools, and rocky channels as it passes into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. You are treated to great meadow views with several domes and peaks in the distance. 3. You will want to secure a permit as early as possible to do this hike in June, July, or August. From there, outside of one more minor ascent, it is all downhill to the White Wolf Trailhead. There are lots of campsites here, but if there is daylight, press on further as much as you can. I prefer a picaridin based spray because it does not damage plastics and synthetic fibers like high concentration DEET sprays can. With the Hiking & Trekking tour Yosemite Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Waterfall Fall, you have a 5 days tour package taking you through Tuolumne, USA and Yosemite National Park,. You need a permit when overnighting. The trail follows the Tuolumne River as it slowly ascends up Tuolumne Meadows. You will know you went the wrong way if you begin to ascend switchbacks up the Piute Creek drainage. The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is the notable canyon section of the river valley of the Tuolumne River, located within Yosemite National Park, in Tuolumne County and the Sierra Nevada, California. Upon reaching Tuolumne Meadows at the end of the our trek, we caught the YARTS bus at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center and took the bus back to our car at White Wolf. The amount of elevation gain is similar to the Day 2 hike so it is no cake walk. Start and end in Tuolumne! Trip Overview: The 33 mile Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River backpacking trip is considered one of the highlights within Yosemite National Park. Once you have arrived to the junction found at Glen Aulin, bear right and continue on to McGee Lake. In several sections, the trail skirts directly along the edge of the river. ( Log Out /  The images in this report are from a trip in mid August 2020. The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is best hiked in 3-4 days. From there, it was a steady descent down to our eventual campsite which sat across the Tuolumne River from Grand Mountain. The area receives relatively few visitors, especially when compared to Yosemite Valley. (7.6 km) At that point, we reached a larger pool of water ~0.25 miles short of California Falls. These are the Backcountry Map & Campsites that are available to you when you hike into Grand Canyon's backcountry. ( Log Out /  We reached the top of the climb shortly after the 5 mile mark. Yosemite Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Waterfall Fall includes accommodation, an expert guide, meals, transport and more. The ascent statistics for this day are slightly skewed, because within ten minutes of setting out from camp, our group took a wrong turn. There are several routes to choose from, but for this post I will cover a 57-mile loop that begins at White Wolf Trailhead. Done at the beginning of Spring is best due to the high volume of water but be ready for some river fording through some very icy temperatures. We forded the Tuolumne River and found a nice, private campsite on the south side of the river. We’ll be hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne just after the normal peak runoff period, and the scenery should be absolutely phenomenal. From there, we caught the YARTS bus, which drove us back to our vehicle at White Wolf. I promise you won’t regret it. The canyon bottom provides ample views of towering granite cliffs that surround it. The peak hiking season for this trek is generally late June through early August. As you hike, take note of the countless swimming holes along the way. Murphy Creek, May Lake, Ten Lakes, etc). At the time of our hike in late September 2017, the bridge here was damaged, but crossable. The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is a true gem in a less-visited area of Yosemite. Wilderness permit applications for any given trek start day are processed (via random lottery) starting 24 weeks before the hike start date, so you want to submit an application at least 24 weeks in advance of your hike. Permit applications can be easily submitted online (info here) and the cost is $5 per confirmed reservation plus $5 per person on the permit. Day 4 was our last day on the trek. But, first we’ve a bit of a challenge, exiting Pate Valley to the southwestern rim of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne 3500 feet above. You continue hiking up the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and pass by two of the more impressive waterfalls along the route, Waterwheel Falls and LeConte Falls. Not far from the bottom, a creek meets the trail. My planned campsites are: 1. After setting up camp, we cooled off by floating around the Tuolumne River. We had to get back to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center by ~10 am in order to catch the 10:27 am YARTS shuttle back to our car at White Wolf. Camping in Grand Canyon National Park is an incredible experience. Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne is a 57.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Yosemite Valley, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. This trip begins in Yosemite … This allows you to take advantage of the many swimming and fishing holes along the Tuolumne River. The boy Scouts, he was able to sit here and just enjoy views. To avoid blood sugar spikes or depletion California State route 120 at grand canyon of the tuolumne campsites age! 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