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Tuolumne Meadow to Glen Aulin HSC (Yosemite)

Posted on October 17, 2008 by: Traveler

  • From Highway 120, turn onto the stables road and park anywhere along Lembert Dome. There are bear boxes and the trail begins where the road turns right heading farther up to the stables.
  • The Tuolumne River will be flowing about 50 meters away. The huge Tuolumne Meadow can be seen through the trees here.
  • The trail is initially wide open up to the Soda Springs area and the Parsons Memorial Lodge.
  • Great views unfold of Lembert Dome towering over the river and meadow area.
  • Tuolumne River.
  • Soda Springs. A log structure was built around the spring.
  • Soda Springs is a source of naturally carbonated water bubbling up through the ground. It flows down a decline before entering the Tuolumne River.
  • Parsons Memorial Lodge was constructed in 1915 by the Sierra Club and commemorates the human and natural history of the Tuolumne Meadow area.
  • John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson conceived the idea of making this area what is today Yosemite National Park.
  • Inside Parsons Memorial looking out to the Soda Springs area.
  • From Parsons Memorial Lodge, the trail takes on a narrow dirt track heading to Glen Aulin approximately five miles away.
  • Small creek crossing.
  • Tuolumne Meadow will be to the left as you continue walking to the Glen Aulin HSC.
  • Tuolumne River and Meadow beyond.
  • Backpacker filtering water in the Tuolumne River.
  • All supplies are taken to the High Sierra Camps via mule train. This is a replacement water heater for Glen Aulin HSC.
  • At this portion the river is just to the left and a gradual slope rises to the right. The trail across is marked by rocks and the dirt track picks up again on the far side.
  • Gradual for the first couple miles, the trail begins to take on the cumulative 500 ft. elevation loss closer to Glen Aulin.
  • First bridge crossing over the Tuolumne River. Gently flowing for the first portion of the hiking, the Tuolumne now begins to churn.
  • Looking down the Tuolumne Canyon.
  • Standing on the first bridge looking to a quiet eddy of the Tuolumne River.
  • After the bridge crossing the Tuolumne starts speeding up.
  • Tuolumne River just above the drop of Tuolumne Fall.
  • Tuolumne Fall just above Glen Aulin HSC.
  • Tuolumne Fall starts a series of cascades spanning the next couple miles of river. White cascade, California Fall, Le Conte Fall and Waterwheel Fall are all with the next three miles.
  • Base of Tuolumne Fall.
  • Just a couple more switchbacks down to the pool below White Cascade of Glen Aulin HSC.
  • Bridge below White Cascade heading into the HSC. Just prior to this bridge is the trail junction heading south toward May Lake HSC and Tenaya Lake (Highway 120).
  • White Cascade of Glen Aulin HSC. I would classify this a perfect swimming hole with the small beach and flowing water (total package)... however, I could only swim for 3 minutes at a time due to the water temp (Freeeezing).
  • A smaller trickle of water flows to the left of White Cascade.
  • The small (sand and rock) beach area is to the left of this picture and closer to the cascade.
  • August wildflowers surround the swimming area of White Cascade.
  • Looking toward the bridge crossing over the Tuolumne at White Cascade. There is one more bridge to cross (over a creek which feeds into the pool) to get into the HSC area. California Fall is just below this bridge.
  • My three minutes are up, time to get out and thaw off!
  • The backpakers portion of Glen Aulin HSC is behind the canvas cabins. There are four bear boxes, pit toilets (solar composting) and plenty of room to find a flat tent area... did I mention the resident bear, Cinnamon.
  • Cinnamon walking away from the HSC backpackers area. Last I heard she had a litter of two cubs.

Best Time To Visit: Memorial Day to October 31st
Closest City: Lee Vining
State: 7
Country: 209

DIRECTIONS: From California 395 near the city of Lee Vining, take Highway 120 (Tioga Road) up to Tioga Pass (9,945 ft.) and into Yosemite National Park. At first you will pass through the Dana Meadows with Mount Dana's 13,057 ft. summit (second highest in the park after Mount Lyell at 13,114 ft.) commanding the skyline. Dana Meadows will be mostly to the left side of the road. Continuing toward the Tulomne area, you will pass a couple smaller unnamed meadows. Tioga Road will then start to parallel the Dana Fork Tuolumne River which will be on the left. You're getting close at this point because soon the Dana Fork Tuolumne, Lyell Fork Tuolumne and lesser watersheds like Rafferty Creek will merge to form the main branch of the Tuolumne River. The Tuolumne River is one of the centerpieces of Tuolumne Meadows (and the watercocurse the trail follows to Glen Aulin HSC). Just after the Tuolumne Wilderness Center Road (left side) you will see Lembert Dome rising off to the right side. Backcountry permits can obtained at the Ranger / Wilderness Station. Most Yosemite trailheads are on a first-come basis. The point of departure and ending destination seem to play the biggest factors in limiting trail use. You can also call in advance to reserve your trip. NOTE: For those hikers completing the hike to just Glen Aulin HSC in a day (11 miles R/T) will not require permits. Continuing past the Tuolumne Wilderness Center Road and directly after Lembert Dome will be a road on the right side. This road leads to the horse stables. Park anywhere space is available along the stables road. The trailhead is near the first right hand tun up ahead (about 1/2 mile from the main road). The Tuolumne Wilderness Center/ Ranger Station also has a large parking lot but this will increse the walk by about a 1/2 mile each way.

From Yosemite Valley, connect to the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120). This junction will be at the west end of Yosemite Valley past Pohono Bridge (where the loop road of Yosemite Valley heads back around to the Southside Drive. Take the right fork at the intersection and then another right once you arrive at the Crane Flat intersection. Crane Flat is where Highway 120 splits up between the east and west routes. By taking the east (right) junction, you will now be on the Tioga Road heading toward Tuolumne Meadows. Make a left turn at the stables road (now it is before Lembert Dome) or continue past and park at the Wilderness Center parking lot.

If driving up Highway 140 from the city of Merced (southwest entrance), at the junction with Highway 120 (Old Crane Flat Road) you would be making a left turn at the fork. NOTE: This junction will be before you get a glimpse of Yosemite Valley. The road will pass through (2) small a (1) larger tunnel while winding up to the junction at Crane Flat. Take the Tioga Road junction and follow the same path as mentioned above to arrive at the Tuolumne Meadow parking. Stop at your fancy at any point of interest along the Tioga Road.  

From the Big Oak Flat Entrance of Highway 120 into Yosemite, continue to the junction at Crane Flat. Take the left fork to continue along Highway 120 (Tioga Road) all the way east to Tuolumne Meadows.

To continue farther down the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River to Waterwheel Falls; click here. 

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Tags

Yosemite National Park, Tioga Road, Tuolumne Meadow, Stables Road, Tuolumne River, Soda Springs, Tuolumne Falls, White Cascade, Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, High Sierra Camp, hiking, camping, backpacking, swimming, fishing

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