Tioga Road: Yosemite to Mono Lake

Tioga Road crosses Yosemite National Park from Crane Flat past Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows, and climbs to Tioga Pass at 9,945 feet. It descends to Lee Vining and Mono Lake. It suits visitors who want the quiet part of Yosemite and don't mind a short season.

The stops

1. Start

   Crane Flat

2. Hike

   Tuolumne Grove

   Short walk to giant sequoias

3. Viewpoint

   Olmsted Point

   Granite slabs with a view of Half Dome

4. Beach

   Tenaya Lake

   Swimming spot on a granite shore

5. Hike

   Tuolumne Meadows

   Subalpine meadow with many trails

6. Hike

   Lembert Dome

   Short hike to a granite dome

7. Viewpoint

   Tioga Pass

   Eastern park entrance and highest point

8. Viewpoint

   Mono Lake

   Tufa towers and birdlife

9. Finish

   Lee Vining

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Lee Vining

  Tioga Lake campgrounds (Inyo NF)

When to go

Jun-Oct; typically open from about Memorial Day to November

On the road

Tioga Pass is the highest road pass in the California state highway system and closes with the first big snow. Check NPS for road status and entrance requirements.