Overall this hike is fairly tough because it involves a long, steep descent. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. Where the PCT runs west at the junction of Return Creek and McCabe Creek. This section of trail is very serene and the slowly flowing Tuolumne River is a stark contrast to the falls and rapids elsewhere in the canyon. There are three lodging options within the park – two in the busy Grand Canyon Village, and one more remote campground, Desert View Campground, 25 miles east of Grand Canyon Village. 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. There are lots of campsites here, but if there is daylight, press on further as much as you can. Day 4 was our last day on the trek. 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,. Murphy Creek, May Lake, Ten Lakes, etc). This is a great place to refill your water bottle. These are the Backcountry Map & Campsites that are available to you when you hike into Grand Canyon's backcountry. We start early to take advantage of the cool of the day as we switchback up the north facing slope to reach the old Tioga Pass route and finally trail’s end at the historic White Wolf Camp, originally built during the mining boom of the 1880’s. Other than that, day two remains pretty straightforward. ( Log Out / In several sections, the trail skirts directly along the edge of the river. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. This is a gorgeous portion of the canyon. 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. Mather campground, indicated by a red flag, is on the left side of the map and is located within Grand Canyon Village. You can call and make reservations … Hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne in June can be a challenge due to high stream crossings, but waterfalls should be near their peak flows. For a day hike to the canyon, you should start from White Wolf Campground. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Tuolumne Falls We got on the trail at 10:00 AM, and it was astoundingly beautiful, walking along the Tuolumne River as it winds through Tuolumne Meadows, then past Tuolumne Falls and White Cascade, where we stopped in Glen Aulin. 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. 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. Length 57.7 mi Elevation gain 11,509 ft Route type Loop During our four days of backpacking, we seek to experience what Muir felt. Shop Deal of the Day at REI Outlet (up to 50% off)! Supplies: There are very active black bears in the Yosemite National Park, so you need to bring a bear canister to store food and scented items. Trip Overview: The 33 mile Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River backpacking trip is considered one of the highlights within Yosemite National Park. The river drops dramatically in this section and since you are hiking upriver, you will ascend quite a bit on day three. As defined by the United States Geological Survey, the canyon begins at Glen Aulin and ends directly above Hetch Hetchy Valley. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The climb is tough as you go up many stairs and switchbacks. This website participates in affiliate marketing. The peak hiking season for this trek is generally late June through early August. Alternatively you could start at Glen Aulin and hike east to west. Scout the Sites You Want in Advance. Bear spray is not allowed and hanging food is illegal throughout Yosemite. Ideal in June and early July (it gets too hot in mid to late summer), this adventure, through the deepest gorge in Yosemite National Park, passes by some of Yosemite’s most remarkable waterfalls flowing among massive, glacially-carved canyon walls. Much of the canyon is only accessible via backpacking or very long day hikes, so you are likely to get away from the crowds during this trek (a rarity in Yosemite!). This section boasts some of the most interesting and diverse mushroom growths I have seen. This is a rugged overnight backpack into the North country of Yosemite dropping in from Tuolumne Meadows into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The itinerary described in this report is a one way point-to-point hike, so you will either need two cars or will need to utilize the YARTS bus or the Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus (or hitchhike). Once you have arrived to the junction found at Glen Aulin, bear right and continue on to McGee Lake. You get to view the canyon from sunset to sunrise, soak in the awe-inspiring colors, and enjoy the view when there are significantly fewer tourists. Marvel at towering rock formations and thunderous waterfalls. Below is a list of the gear I brought on this backpacking loop in Yosemite National Park: Day 1: 11.5 miles; +620 feet / -3,700 feet; White Wolf to Pate Valley. Required fields are marked *. 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). After the descent, the trail begins to follow the Tuolumne River. We found it shortly after crossing the two bridges. Day four proved to be the toughest stretch for our group. Backpackers must pay $6 per person to camp and you pay with exact cash at the campground. Campsites within the National Park can be hard to come by–especially during peak season. We reached the top of the climb shortly after the 5 mile mark. If hiking a full loop, you can also start at a few different trailheads along Highway 120 between White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows (e.g. The name alone, Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River, brought joy to my heart and called to me. DescriptionWaypoints (0)Aménagements. 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. We value your privacy and do not share your personal information. World's Greatest Waterslide and Swimming Hole If you are lucky enough to catch sunset here, head down to the lake and watch the reflections shimmer on the water’s glassy surface. After Glen Aulin, the trail begins to climb again and you exit the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.