Hike The Waterfall Trail In Grover Hot Springs State Park
Nestled within a quiet corner of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains lies an underrated, little-known gem in the…
3 minute read | contains affiliate links
Nestled within a quiet corner of the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains lies an underrated, little-known gem in the California state park system; Grover Hot Springs.
Grover doesn’t have the same notoriety as Yosemite or even nearby Lake Tahoe, but that’s where it gets its charm. It isn’t dense in crowds, so it’s incredibly easy to spend a serene day (or two) in its pristine setting.
In 2021, the park was shuttered due to damage sustained by the Tamarack Fire. Many trees and other shrubbery were charred, in addition to the parks infrastructure (including the hot springs complex).
Thanks to the efforts of park staff, the park’s campground and hiking trails reopened in time for the 2022 summer season. The hot springs, unfortunately, did not reopen and remain closed at the time of this writing.
In June 2023, I returned to the park to hike the Waterfall Trail. It’s a short and sweet hike terminating at an incredible 50-foot waterfall with multiple cascades.
The trail is perfect for families as there’s little elevation gain, it’s easy to follow and you’re treated to an amazing award with little effort required. Additionally, your furry, four-legged kids can join you.
So how do you get there? How many miles are involved? Is parking available? I answer all these questions and more below. Let’s get into it!
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Trail Stats
Location: Grover Hot Springs State Park. Markleeville, CA
Fee: $8 day-use fee
Payment Type: Cash only. No digital pay stations
Open: Seasonally
For: Hikers
Restroom: In the campground and near the hot springs complex
Parking: Small lot near the campground, large lot near the hot springs (currently inaccessible)
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Medium to low
Mileage: 1.5 miles, one way
Time: 45 minutes to one hour
Elevation Gain: 90 feet
Condition: Maintained, but damaged from the Tamarack Fire
Features: 50-foot water, alpine meadows, craggy peaks
Pets: Allowed on leash
Drones: Not allowed
Hazards: Soft soil, downed trees and trees with potential to fall are still present. Additionally, this area sees heavy bear activity
My Visit(s): 2017, 2018 and 2023
Getting to Grover Hot Springs SP
As stated above, Grover is located in the beautiful eastern pocket of the Sierra Nevada mountain range so no matter which route you take, the drive is going to be scenic.
There are multiple routes to take depending on which direction you’re coming from:
Lake Tahoe: You’ll simply go south on CA-89
Sacramento: Travel east on US-50 and then south on CA-89
Bridgeport: Go north on US-395 and then north on CA-89
Reno: Head south of US-395/US-88, before going south on CA-89
My recommendation, unless you’re coming the opposite side, is to choose a route that traverses over Monitor Pass (pictured above). It’s a jaw-dropping, beautiful drive and my personal favorite.
Even if you’re coming from the opposite side, try to build driving through Monitor Pass into your travel plans. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Once you’re in Markleeville proper (you’ll pass numerous shops and restaurants), turn onto Montgomery street and continue straight until it terminates at Grover Hot Springs.
Grover Hot Springs Parking & Fees
Presently, there is only one option for parking at the park; near the campground (or in it if you’re camping). Assuming you’re just hiking, you’ll park in a small dirt lot with enough room to accommodate a dozen or so vehicles.
Once the hot springs reopens there’s a much larger lot you could utilize there. The trail to the waterfall can be accessed from either, though, and neither one is any longer than the other.
To use the hiking trail, you’ll need to pay an $8 day-use fee. There are no digital pay stations, so fees must be paid in cash via the yellow envelopes. Be sure to keep the receipt on your dash.
If you purchase a pass to the hot springs once they reopen, that pass includes the park’s day-use fee, FYI.
Where Does The Waterfall Trail Begin?
The trail goes by a few names but for all intents and purposes, I’ll refer to it as the, “Waterfall Trail”, in this post as it is the main (and only) trail in the park proper.
There’s a trailhead near the day-use parking lot by the campground and another just past the hot springs complex. They both eventually intersect.
I have taken both routes but in order to present the most current information, this post will focus on the trailhead near the campground.
The Waterfall Trail
The trail begins along an accessible wooden boardwalk through a beautiful alpine meadow. It’s one of the few areas of the park that wasn’t heavily affected by the fire.
Along the boardwalk, there are numerous informational boards detailing the park’s history and development as well as benches to relax and take in the scenery on.
It’s quick, though, as you’ll soon reach a cluster of pine trees where the boardwalk ends and becomes a gravel/dirt path.
You’ll soon approach the only un-jumpable stream crossing of the trail. At worst, it’s ankle deep and will undoubtedly evaporate as snow-melt eases.
Shortly after this stream crossing, you’ll come to a slight fork. Coming from the direction of the campground, you’ll want to continue straight towards the charred trees.
This will be your first real example of the damage done by the Tamarack Fire. Many trees remain standing, but just as many were reduced to ash and/or had to be downed.
On the forest floor, you’ll see greenery sprouting through, trying to breathe new life into the area. You can also see trees shedding charred bark.
You’ll get an up-close-and-personal look at not only the ugly, destructive side of a fire, but the beauty and new life it brings about as well.
Soon, the trail will align with the creek on your left and that’ll continue throughout the rest of your hike until you reach the waterfall.
Shortly after aligning with the river, you’ll come to another fork. Continuing straight will take you to the falls while going right will take to Burnside Lake (5-miles).
From here, you’re only half-a-mile away from the falls. However, you’ll first have to negotiate the one and only “adventurous” section of this trail; the boulder field.
Initially, the trail appears to vanish, but fret not. Simply look to your right and you’ll notice a trail heading up and into the boulder field in front of you.
Negotiating it isn’t difficult and doesn’t require any rock climbing know-how. A little bit of boulder hopping and common sense will get you through just fine.
I’ve always found that keeping to the left side of the boulder field offers the path of least resistance. However, any route you decide to go with will get you there.
Once you get to the other side of the boulders, you’ll get your first glimpse of the waterfall ahead of you. Actually, you’ll likely hear it long before you see it.
Continue straight and you’ll soon reach the waterfall.
To view the falls from the base, you’ll need to break away from the trail proper and take a spur trail down. There isn’t a lot room down there so plan to arrive early if you want it to yourself.
If you continue further up the trail, you’ll get much closer the waterfall’s crest and have considerably more elbow room if you’re hear on a particularly busy day.
While this is the official conclusion of this portion of the trail, you can continue to explore further up and find more waterfalls.
If you’re not feeling up to it, though, spend as much time here as you please and when ready, go back the same way you came.
I hope you’ll consider hiking this trail. Whether solo, with a partner, or your family. I have no doubt you’ll love it as much as I do.
Travel safe, travel responsibly.
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How To Hike The Burney Falls Scenic Loop Trail
Burney Falls is one of the most visit state parks in all of California. Prior to covid, the park would see an average of 4,000…
3 minute read | contains affiliate links
Burney Falls is one of the most visited state parks in all of California. Prior to covid, the park would see an average of 4,000 daily visitors. Since covid, that number has more than tripled to an average of 13,000.
It’s no wonder, either. Burney Falls is a spectacular waterfall. On top of that, it’s one of the most easily accessible waterfalls as it can viewed from an accessible viewing deck just steps away from the parking lot or by taking a short, paved trail to the base.
Many people are completely unaware of the hiking trails contained within the park. So we’ve decided to write a post about the most popular one, the Burney Falls Scenic Loop. It’s a beautiful trail that begins at the rim of the falls and concludes at the base.
If you’ve never been there, you should check out our comprehensive guide on Burney Falls. In it, we cover a lot of information such as directions, camping, hiking trails, best time to visit and more! So if you’re looking for that information, you should definitely read that one and come back here.
Let’s get into it.
Quick Stats
Location: McArthur-Burney Falls State Park
Fee/Permit: $10 per vehicle to enter the park
Open: Year round
For: All visitors/hikers
Parking: Semi-large, paved lot
Restroom: At the visitor center
EV Stations: None
Drone Use: Not allowed
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Highly trafficked
Time: 1 hour or more
Milage: 1.2-miles
Elevation Gain: 167-feet
Trail Condition: Well maintained
Main Feature(s): Burney Falls
Pets: Not allowed
Special Notes/Hazards: Though it’s a beautiful trail, Burney Falls will be out-of-view for the majority of the hike
Our Visit(s): October 2016, August 2019, & May 2022
Trailhead, Parking & Direction
The trailhead for the Burney Falls loop trail is directly across the road from the park’s visitor center and parking lot. You’ll see a sign up ahead indicating as such (pictured above).
The parking lot is fairly large, probably closer to medium sized, actually. As we covered in our guide to Burney Falls, this lot tends to fill quickly in the summer months. So if you go during that time, we highly advise that you plan for an early arrival.
Once you’ve parked and paid your entry fee ($10), cross the street and head towards the rim of the falls to begin your hike. There’s a viewing deck where you can get a from above view of the falls.
Burney Falls Loop Trail
If all you want to do is go to the base of falls and leave, bear right towards the stairwell. It’ll only take a few minutes to get down there as it’s only a third-of-a-mile along a well-maintained path.
If you’re dead-set on the loop trail (as you should be) you’ll want to bear left along the dirt path. This trail also takes you to the base, just not as quickly.
Unfortunately, Burney Falls won’t be visible for much of the trail. In fact, you’ll only get the full view once you’ve circled down to the base. Shortly after the beginning of the trail, you’ll get one final look at it through some trees.
After a short time, you’ll arrive at the serene, ‘Fisherman’s Bridge’, crossing Burney Creek just upstream from the top of the falls. If you’re an angler, there are great spots here along the creek to fish for Rainbow Trout.
Be sure to stop near the middle of the bridge to take in the views. You won’t be able to see the crest of Burney Falls from here, but you’ll get a great view looking upstream of the creek.
After the bridge, turn right and you’ll enter a heavily forested portion of the trail filled with Douglas Firs and Oaks. Also along this stretch are a number of benches. Feel free to rest your feet for a moment and take in the sights around you.
The trail will begin to descend slightly along a series of gentle switchbacks. Before hitting the descent, you’ll pass a junction to the Pacific Crest Trail and a series of rocky steps built into the trail. No need to worry as the steps are easily navigable.
Near the halfway mark down the switchbacks you’ll get your first glimpse of Burney Falls since the start of the trail. Again, it’s through a collection of trees but it’s a gorgeous view nonetheless.
Rainbow Bridge Junction
At the bottom of the switchbacks you’ll come to another footbridge crossing over Burney Creek. This one is named, “Rainbow Bridge”. Much like the first one, stopping here to take in the views of the creek would be worth your while.
From here, you have two directions in which you could go. Going left from Rainbow Bridge will take you on a detour to Lake Britton. This is a solid option as the picturesque lake provides many recreational activities.
*Note: The detour to Lake Britton from this junction is closed for the 2022 season due to heavy storm damage to the trail. No word on when it’ll open. To reach Lake Britton, you’ll need to utilize the trail leaving from the rim of the falls and through the campground.
To keep to the loop trail and continue on to the falls, however, you’ll want to bear right as you’re walking off of the bridge. Along this stretch, you’ll pass a huge boulder field on your left. Showcasing evidence of the area’s volcanic past.
Soon, you’ll begin to hear the sounds of Burney Falls crashing into the pool below it and before long, it’ll come into view. There are many spots along this stretch of the creek to get an excellent side view of the falls. You’ll need to scramble a bit but trust us, it’s worth it.
The Base of Burney Falls
This is the main viewing area of Burney Falls and is where you would’ve ended up had you gone right at the trailhead instead of left. This area is defined by a perimeter made of rocks and is a somewhat small area (considering the crowds this park sees).
For a closer look - or to go for a swim in the pool below the falls - you’ll need to scramble down a rock field. The constant mist from the falls makes most of these rocks very slick. So be sure to watch your footing.
If you’re here on a particularly busy day (pretty much any day during the summer season) expect to find many, many people to be here. It doesn’t take long before that viewing area - and even the rock field - becomes a shoulder-to-shoulder situation.
We’ve never been here during winter, but we feel spring is the best time to go, crowds wise. Our most recent visit was the first week of May, 2022, and we practically had the falls all to ourselves. A few people came and went but that was it.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the views, continue on the trail by heading up the paved switchbacks back to the rim (where you first began). Along the way, you’ll encounter several interpretive signs detailing the development and history of Burney Falls and the area.
It may be a persistent climb back to the rim but fret not, it isn’t that bad. The switchbacks are gentle and towards the end, there’s a couple sets of stairs to help with the final push.
Once you’re back at the rim and satisfied with your visit to the park, simply cross the road to get back to the parking lot. Or better yet, stop by the visitor center before leaving. They have many interesting/informative exhibits.
Which Direction Should You Go?
That’s entirely up to you, but we wrote this trail guide in the clockwise direction as that was the direction we went and feel it’s the way to go. The reason is because of the epic payoff at the end (Burney Falls).
However, there’s nothing that says you can’t go counter-clockwise. If you do, you’ll arrive at the falls after just a third-of-a-mile. To continue past that, head down the paved trail along the creek.
When you reach Rainbow Bridge, simply cross it and head up the dirt switchbacks and onward to Fisherman’s Bridge. There’s no right or wrong. Either direction will provide the same great views and experience.
*Tip: Be sure to read our comprehensive guide about Burney Falls State Park. It’ll help you plan your visit with information on weather, camping, amenities, directions and more!
Your Thoughts…
Does this sound a trail you and your family would enjoy hiking together? Have you been to Burney Falls or have you been dying to go? Tell us about it in the comments below. We love love hearing from our readers!
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Hedge Creek Falls: A Short Hike To An Incredible Waterfall
While not a grand sight or a long hike deep into the wilderness, Hedge Creek Falls still packs a punch as a highly scenic…
3 minute read | Contains affiliate links
While not a grand sight or a long, deep hike into the wilderness, Hedge Creek Falls still packs a punch as a highly scenic, simple trail terminating at the 35-foot waterfall spilling over a hanging wall of basalt.
The trail’s unique feature, aside from the waterfall itself, gives hikers the rare chance of going behind the waterfall via a large cleft in the rock.
Hedge Creek Falls is perfect for families with small children, pets, or anyone who happens to be driving by and wants to stretch their legs. Both the parking lot and trailhead are conveniently located right off Interstate-5.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you’ll need or want to know about hiking to Hedge Creek Falls. Let’s get into it.
Quick Stats
Location: Dunsmuir, CA
Fee/Permit: None
Open: All year
For: Hikers
Parking: Small dirt lot across the street from the trailhead
Restroom: Port-O-Potty in the parking lot
EV Stations: None
Drone Use: No signs stating you can’t
Difficulty: Easy
Popularity: Moderate
Time: Less than an hour
Milage: 0.7-miles, out and back
Elevation Gain: 200 feet
Trail Condition: Well maintained
Main Feature(s): 35 foot waterfall, views of Mount Shasta, and views of the Sacramento River
Pets: Allowed on leash
Special Notes/Hazards: Vehicle break-ins are common in the trail’s parking lot
Our Visit(s): May 2022
*Please practice leave no trace principles and keep to the trail
Trailhead and Parking
The Hedge Creek Falls trail is probably one of the easiest trailheads on earth to find. Both it and the parking lot are located directly off Interstate-5 on Dunsmuir Ave.
Whether you’re traveling south or north on I-5S, you will see signs for Hedge Creek as you get close. From either direction, take exit #732 and go right on Dunsmuir Ave and it’ll be right there.
If you’re coming from Burney Falls, simply travel north on CA-89 for about 56-miles before jumping on Interstate-5 south for a short time. From there, follow the same directions above.
The parking lot is of the dirt variety and small. It fills rather quickly in the summer so the sooner you can arrive, the better. To find the trailhead, simply cross the street.
The Trail
The trail begins just past the water fountain on the left. It’s a well maintained, packed dirt trail with very little tripping hazards (rocks, branches, etc).
You’ll descend down to the falls under the cover of trees, providing plenty of shade even on the sunniest of days. After just a few minutes, you’ll take note of the sounds of Hedge Creek.
After just ten minutes or so, you’ll arrive at the waterfall. The time of year you’re visiting will determine how heavy the flow is. We were here in May and it wasn’t flowing very heavily.
As you approach the falls, the trail temporarily gets rockier (and slick during the winter) due to how close you’re able to get to both the falls and the creek.
Here, you’ll have the rare opportunity to walk directly behind a waterfall. There’s a large cleft cut into the columnar basalt wall for you to walk through.
You’ll also take notice of the dozens of handprints all over the walls of the hanging rock. These were left by visitors who used the mud in the cleft to leave those prints.
From here, the trail continues for another tenth of a mile to a spectacular view of the Sacramento River and an ‘ok’ view of the summit of Mount Shasta (the rest is obstructed by trees).
Onward to Mossbrea Falls
Now, there’s (almost) nowhere left to go. Most will simply turn around and go back their car. Others could cross the river (if it’s safe) and continue on to an even more beautiful waterfall, “Mossbrea Falls”.
Currently, there’s only an unofficial trail to Mossbrea that requires hikers to commit the crime of trespassing on more than one occasion. So the only other way is to cross the river.
The Mount Shasta Trail Association has been making efforts to finally construct an official trail. Essentially, the plan is to connect Mossbrea Falls to the Hedge Creek Falls trail via a bridge over the river.
Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much progress as the last update given by the MSTA was back in July of 2020. If you want to keep tabs on this project, go here.
Hopefully this project will pick up steam soon because Mossbrea Falls is amazing and it’s criminal that it can’t be accessed without risking a misdemeanor charge.
Have you been to Hedge Creek Falls? Or are you a local and have heard any rumors about the trail to Mossbrea or what the hold up’s about? Lets us know about it in the comments below!
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McCloud River Falls: Three Fantastic Waterfalls in One Hike
Just a short distance between two popular Northern California towns; Burney and Dunsmuir, McCloud Falls is a series of three…
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Just a short distance between two popular Northern California towns; Burney and Dunsmuir, McCloud Falls is a series of three beautiful waterfalls along the McCloud River.
Lower, Middle, and Upper McCloud Falls are easily accessible by foot via a 3.9-mile (out-and-back) hiking trail or by driving to each one via the paved road connecting the three. Additionally, each fall has its own parking lot with picnic tables, signage, restrooms and a campground nearby.
In this guide, we’ll cover a few things you’ll need to know about each of the falls like where to find them, how to access them once you’re there, etc. Let’s get into it.
Quick Stats
Location: McCloud, CA (in between Burney and Dunsmuir)
Fee/Permit: None
Open: Year round, but can be difficult to access in winter
Parking: Large, paved lots at each waterfall
Restroom: Three (one at each waterfall)
EV Stations: None
Drone Use: Allowed (UAV must be registered and follow applicable laws)
Difficulty: Easy by vehicle / Easy to moderate by foot
Popularity: Popular
When: Weekdays and early is best for lower crowds
Time: 2-3 hours
Milage: 3.9 miles, out and back via the trail
Elevation Gain: 337-feet
Trail Condition: Well maintained and easy to follow
Main Feature(s): Three waterfalls of varying heights
Campground: Fowler’s Campground (located near the lower falls)
Pets: Allowed on leash
Special Notes/Hazards: Each waterfall can either be hiked or driven to. No specific dangers aside from usual wilderness hazards.
Our Visit(s): August 2019 & May 2022
Directions To McCloud Falls
If you already happen to be at Burney Falls (or will be), making McCloud Falls part of your itinerary is easy as it’s just under fifty miles away. Even better, if you’re coming from Interstate-5, it’s only thirty(ish) miles away.
McCloud Falls is a well known destination, so simply plugging that into your GPS of choice will get you there without issue. If you’re not a tech person, here’s the simple directions:
From Burney: Go north on Highway 89 for 35-40 miles, then take a left onto Fowler Public Camp road and follow the directions.
From Dunsmuir: Go north on Interstate-5 and take the exit for Highway 89 south. Follow this for about 20-25 miles and take a right onto Fowler Public Camp road.
The road leading to the falls is paved and well maintained. You just need to decide whether you’re going to hike to all three or simply drive.
The falls are handicap accessible and feature viewing decks straight off of the parking lots. For those who wish to, you have the option to walk down to the base of each one for a closer look.
Because we stopped here between our visits to Dunsmuir and Burney, we decided to drive to each waterfall and walk down to their bases to save time. While I recommend hiking the trail connecting the three, you can save a significant amount of time by doing what we did.
Lower McCloud Falls
The lower falls is a great place to begin your visit. The parking lot is paved and decently large. The viewing deck is just off the parking lot, past the restrooms.
If you’re able, I highly recommend going down the stone steps to get a closer view of this 15-foot waterfall. These stone steps is also where the official beginning (or end) of the hiking trail is. I have seen pictures of people swimming in the emerald green plunge pool, so I assume it’s allowed.
In fact, while you’re there, look for metal hooks embedded into the rock. According to a local I spoke with, those are the remains of what used to be a ladder swimmers used to climb out.
From here, you can either start hiking up the trail to the middle falls or head back to your car and drive up. If you drive, simply take a right up the road and look out of the waterfall sign.
Middle McCloud Falls
The middle falls was our favorite and arguably the most impressive of the three. If you only have time for one, I recommend this one. If you’re hiking here from the lower falls, the trail will take you straight to the base. If you drive, you’ll need to hike down or simply view it from above.
To get to the base, you’ll need to hike the short, quarter-mile(ish) trail to the bottom. It’s easy to miss and there isn’t any signage indicating where to go (at least none that we saw). What you’ll look out for is a dirt path, lined with rocks, spurring off to the right from the paved one going to the viewing deck.
The trail consists of packed dirt and while a bit rocky in some spots, overall it’s a well-maintained, easy to-follow trail. You’ll take a short series of graded switchbacks before reaching the bottom.
When the trail flattens out at the bottom, keep left to the falls and you’ll eventually reach a rest area. Between you and the falls is a boulder field that you’ll need to scramble over if you want a closer view. The pool in front of the falls is perfect for swimming and while we don’t how deep it is, we have seen videos of people cliff jumping into it, indicating it’s decently deep.
Out of the three, the middle fall is where we spent the majority of our time. I wrote an extensive post highlighting the middle falls and its trail if you’d like to read more about it.
Upper McCloud Falls
The upper falls is the one with second tallest plunge at 30-feet. Similar to the lower fall, it’s narrow and dumps into a small pool but unlike the lower fall, it’s carved out an opening between the basalt rock walls, rather than just spilling over it.
There’s a plethora of viewing space up top but unfortunately, none of them provided an impressive view of the waterfall (in my opinion, anyway). To get a better view, you’ll need to rough it a bit.
Just past the last viewing deck, where the dirt trail begins, you’ll see a spur trail on your left going straight down to the waterline. Watch your footing and take your time. It’s short, but steep with nothing but loose dirt and rocks. Taking a spill here wouldn’t feel good.
There isn’t a lot of space at the water’s edge. Most of it consists of awkwardly spaced boulders that you’ll need to sit or stand on to view the waterfall.
When you’re done, head back up and go a little further upstream to see the cascades feeding the waterfall or read about the development of these falls on the informational signs near the trailhead.
Hike or Drive?
That all depends on personal preference, physical limitations, how much time you have, etc. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Hiking the trail: You’ll need to ensure you have the proper equipment with you such as trekking poles (see my recommendation here), hiking boots/shoes, water, sun protection, etc. Each waterfall is less than one mile from the next and the only real “challenging” part is the uphill slog out of the middle fall. Aside from that, it’s a fairly simple trail.
Driving to each fall: For those short on time or with physical limitations, this would be the best option. Each fall has its own parking lot and all of the upper viewing decks are wheelchair accessible. If you’re able, you can still get a close view of each waterfall (which is really the main point, anyway).
As far as where to start, that’s also your personal preference. If you’re hiking with a group with multiple vehicles, our recommendation would be to leave a vehicle at the lower fall, take another up to the upper fall, and start the hike there.
This strategy is two-fold as:
You’re hiking down to the lower falls, bypassing having to work your way up and out of the middle falls.
Saves you time by cutting the hike in half.
If you’re driving, it doesn’t really matter where you start. If you only have time for one waterfall, we recommend the middle falls as it’s the largest, most scenic/photogenic, and has the best swimming hole.
Barney Lake: A Beautiful Day Hike Near Bridgeport
Hiking to Barney Lake via the Robinson Creek trail is one of the many premier hiking experiences in Mono County…
3 minute read | contains affiliate links
Hiking to Barney Lake via the Robinson Creek trail is one of the many premier hiking experiences in Mono County.
The trailhead is located behind the campground at Mono Village, which is just 10-miles or so outside of the small town of Bridgeport.
We have hiked this trail many times. It’s one of our favorites. In fact, it was on this trail where the idea and name for this website was born.
In this guide, we’ll cover topics such as directions, what to expect along the trail, places to eat and more! Let’s get into it.
Here’s some great hiking products we recommend…
Quick Stats
Location: Bridgeport, CA
Fee: None
Permit: None
Open: Year round, though difficult to access in winter
For: Hikers & Equestrians
Restroom: At the trailhead in the campground
Parking: Large day-use dirt lot
EV Stations: None
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Popularity: Medium
Mileage: 8-9 miles, roundtrip
Time: 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,223-feet
Condition: Fairly maintained, mostly unsigned
Features: Robinson Creek & Barney Lake
Pets: Allowed on leash
Drones: Not allowed
Hazards: None aside from usual wilderness dangers
Our Visit(s): 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, & 2021
Mono Village Campground
As stated at the beginning of this post, the trailhead for Barney Lake is behind the campground at Mono Village.
Mono Village is easy to get to from the town of Bridgeport. From town, go down Twin Lakes road and continue straight for about ten miles.
Mono Village is located at the terminus of Twin Lakes road. You’ll literally run right into it. Shortly after arriving, you can park in the day-use lot on the left.
If you have time before or after your hike, there’s plenty to do at Mono Village if you’re here during their normal operational months. These include:
A large campground with many sites for tents, RV’s, etc.
Boat, Kayak and Paddleboard rentals
Bait & tackle shop
A general store
Restaurant
If you need to use the restroom before heading out, you can find one just behind the restaurant. If you’re eating there, there’s also one inside.
Finding The Barney Lake Trailhead
To find the trailhead, stand near the check-in booth to the left of the restaurant and face the campground.
Ahead of you, you’ll see two trees with a pathway going between them and yellow markers on each tree. Head between those trees.
Continue on this pathway until you see a meadow at the rear of the campground. Keep going straight while keeping this meadow on your left.
After a half-a-mile or so, you’ll see the one and only trail sign on this trail. It’s an arrow pointing right and says, Barney Lake, on it. Bear right with the sign.
Robinson Creek Trail to Barney Lake
As of now, you’re officially on the Robinson Creek trail. Initially, this part of the trail is mostly flat, with a few gentle inclines here and there.
There’s a plethora of tree cover and if you’re here during spring and early summer, there will be a few creeks to cross (easy to do).
After a mile or so, you’ll enter a large meadow with mountain peaks surrounding you. There isn’t a lot of shade on this section of the trail.
*Tip: Be sure to bring plenty of water with you. Tap to check out the Hydration Backpack we recommend (affiliate link). It can carry 2-liters of water in addition to your day-hike essentials.
You’ll eventually dip back down under tree cover but don’t get too excited. After a short time, you’ll come out of tree cover and start going at a slight incline.
This is also where you’ll meet back up with Robinson Creek. Aside from the lake itself, this is our favorite part of the trail.
There’s a few spots here where you can take a break and admire a couple mini waterfalls. All the while enjoying your return to tree cover.
Once you feel rested, continue up the trail. After coming into another opening, you’ll arrive to the start of the switchbacks (at this point, you’re close to the lake).
These switchbacks aren’t bad at all, but this is the least maintained part of the trail. There’s a lot of overgrowth.
To make matters worse, if you’re here in the spring or early summer, they’re muddy and slick from the water run-off.
About halfway up the switchbacks, you’ll come to a point where it seems as though the trail disappears. Continue up and over the granite rock to rejoin the trail.
Shortly after this point, the trail will flatten out and the sight of Barney Lake will soon come into view.
Barney Lake
The scenery at Barney Lake is impossibly gorgeous. Especially if you’re here on a day without wind. The surface of the lake is glass-like.
The west end of the lake (near the outlet) provides an alternate view, los of shade and many seating opportunities.
If you’re here in spring, the beach may be non-existent due to the amount of snow melt still coming off the mountains.
Throughout summer, as snowmelt lessens and water levels subside, the beach becomes more prominent.
Optional Lakes
From here, you have two choices. The first one is you can simply finish up with your hike and make your way back to the trailhead.
If you still have some energy to burn, you can continue up the trail and onto additional, even more amazing lakes.
Some of these lakes include Crown Lake, Robinson Lake, Peeler Lakes, Snow Lake and more!
Additionally, you can go even further by making your way over the pass and dropping into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne in Yosemite.
Unless you’re a super fit hiker, you’ll need to secure a permit to do most of these as you’ll be spending a night or three in the backcountry.
*Tip: If you’re feeling hungry after your hike, stop by the Burger Barn before heading home. Tap the link to check out our post about them!
Your Thoughts…
Have you hiked to Barney Lake before? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section below. We love hearing from our readers!
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Explore Sutro Baths and Hike The Lands End Trail in San Francisco
Located in the northwestern corner of the beautiful city of San Francisco, a coastal oasis awaits eager visitors and hikers alike; Lands End…
7 minute read | Contains affiliate links
Located in the northwestern corner of the beautiful city of San Francisco, a coastal oasis awaits eager visitors and hikers alike; Lands End.
From the moment you leave your vehicle, you’re treated to near non-stop stunning views of the city’s coast, Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific Ocean, and Marin Headlands.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get to check out many historic sights and subjects such as the USS San Francisco Memorial, Sutro Baths, Cliff House, and more!
You can spend your visit just exploring the ruins of the Sutro Baths or extend your visit by hiking this short, but beautiful stretch of California’s infamous, Coastal Trail.
So how do you get to Lands End? Is the trail dog friendly? How many miles is it? We’ll answer all these questions and more below. Let’s get into it!
Lands End Information
Lands End Lookout
The parking lot for Lands End is located in the Sutro Heights district of the city, just off of Point Lobos Ave.
Here, you can access the Visitor Center, Cliff House, Sutro Bath ruins, and the trailhead for the Lands End trail.
For GPS purposes, here is the address:
680 Point Lobos Ave. San Francisco, CA, 94121
Sutro Baths Ruins
From the parking lot, you’ll see a stairwell descending towards the ocean. This stairwell will take you down to the Sutro Baths ruins.
The Sutro Baths complex was a massive saltwater swimming pool owned by Adolph Sutro. They were built in 1894 and remained opened until 1964.
The complex was sold to real estate developers with the idea to build ocean-side condos, but a fire in 1966 put an end to that plan.
Now run by the National Park Service, all that remains of the baths are the concrete foundations, walls, and stairwells.
It may seem like nothing, but the ruins are fun to explore. You’re free to climb and walk on them but be careful! One misstep and you’re in the ocean.
To the right of the ruins is a tunnel carved into the rock. It isn’t long and there’s not much to see at the end, but it’s still a cool feature of the area.
Sutro Baths Upper Traill
On the concrete path to the ruins, you’ll notice a dirt path that spurs off up and to the right. This is the Upper Trail.
The view from above will give you an idea of just how massive the Sutro Baths complex really was.
Lands End Trail
Trailhead near Sutro Baths.
Trail Information
The trailhead on the lookout side of the trail is adjacent to the parking lot. If you’re facing Sutro Baths at the top, go right.
You can access the other side of the trail by parking near the Legion of Honor building and walking down the pathway along the road.
Trailhead near Legion of Honor off of Lincoln Highway.
The Lands End trail is a section of the infamous, Coastal Trail. A near 1200-mile trail stretching from Mexico up to Oregon.
The Lands End portion is 1.5-miles, one-way, along a mostly dirt path winding along beautiful coastal bluffs lined with Cypress trees.
The trail is easy-to-mild in difficulty, but does present a few moderately challenging stairwells at certain points.
The trail starts out (from the lookout side) on a wide path under Cypress trees, before opening up to an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
About halfway through, the path narrows and turns into a more traditional hiking trail. For the most part, the trail is very shaded.
*Bathroom Alert: In short, there are none. Not on the trail, anyway. There are bathrooms at the Lands End Lookout visitor center and occasionally, there’s a portable restroom near Fort Miley at the dead-end.
Trail Detours & Features
If you just want to go from one end to another, you can. However, along the way, you’ll encounter a few cool detours you should consider taking.
Lands End Point
At around the half-mile point (coming from the lookout side), you’ll see a sign pointing towards a set of steep steps (pictured below).
This stairwell will take you down to three great detours; Lands End Point, Mile Rock Beach, and Lands End Labyrinth.
Halfway down the stairwell, where it flattens, veer to right to Lands End Point. It features a spectacular view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It makes for an excellent spot to take a break and take some photos. You could also enjoy a picnic here with your partner.
You’ll see remnants of a foundation that held some kind of military artillery. To the left of that is the Lands End Labyrinth (our photo didn’t turn out well at all. Sorry).
*If you’re interested in more locations around the city with military history, check out our articles about Kirby Cove and the Muir Beach Overlook.
Mile Rock Beach
Taking the second set of stairs will take you to Mile Rock Beach. There’s also a short, but sketchy, path from Lands End Point you can take.
The beach is small, but beautiful. What it’s most known for are the seemingly hundreds of rock stacks along the cove.
These were left by many visitors over the years and the rocks used in the Labyrinth above the beach were taken from here.
Eagles Point
Eagles Point isn’t a detour as it’s directly off the trail, but it’s worth mentioning as it provides the closest view of the bridge on the trail.
If you’re starting on the Lincoln Highway side of the trail, you’ll see it right away as it’s just past the trailhead sign on your right.
Legion of Honor
Legion of Honor is a museum located near the trail in Lincoln Park. They display a collection of ancient and European artifacts from the last 4,000 years.
The Beaux-arts building was built in a way to commemorate Californian soldiers who were killed in battle during World War 1.
We would recommend visiting before or after your hike. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, go here.
USS San Francisco Memorial
This memorial was built to honor the memory of the men who died on the USS San Francisco during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
The memorial was built out of materials from the actual ship. You can see the holes made by enemy bullets all around it.
Coming from the Sutro Baths side of the trail, you’ll soon come to an opening on the trail with the Golden Gate Bridge on full display.
To the right of this viewing area, you’ll see a steep set of concrete steps on your right (you can’t miss them). Take these to the top and go right.
Additional Information
When To Go
The Lands End Trail and Sutro Baths are accessible throughout the year, so there’s no real bad time to go.
The summer months will obviously be the hottest and will have the heaviest crowds. Aside from that, it’s pretty much your preference.
It was late November when my Dad and I hiked this and we experienced minimal crowding and perfect weather.
Most of the crowds we saw were at the Sutro Baths and it was close to noon by the time we reached that point.
Cliff Warnings
Scattered throughout the trail and at Sutro Baths, you’ll likely notice signs such as the one pictured above. It’s best to heed these warnings.
Unfortunately, there have been many deaths along this trail. One being a 17-year-old girl who lost her life after falling over a cliff.
When my Dad and I were here, someone had fallen off a cliff after entering a restricted area near Sutro Baths.
Thankfully, he was recovered by Fire & Rescue Personnel and survived his injuries, but it could have been much, much worse.
Is The Trail Dog and Bike Friendly?
Dogs, leashed or not, are welcomed all along the trail and at Sutro Baths. Bikes, on the other hand, are a bit more complicated.
Bikes are allowed between Lands End Lookout and the cut-off for Mile Rock Beach. From there, there’s a bike trail that splits from the main one.
The new trail you’ll be on parallels Lands End Trail, but higher up and will eventually terminate near the Legion of Honor building.
A Quick Note…
We’re often asked about the equipment we use to capture the photos on our website. Below, you’ll find Amazon links to them.
If you decide to purchase, Amazon will give us a small commission. This helps us keep the site running and doesn’t cost you anything extra.
“Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson (this book is an excellent resource for anyone getting into photography)
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Muir Beach Overlook: A Breathtaking View of The Pacific Ocean
If you’re looking for an epic view of the Pacific Ocean, look no further than the Muir Beach overlook. If you’re coming from San Francisco…
If you’re looking for an epic view of the Pacific Ocean, look no further than the Muir Beach overlook. If you’re coming from San Francisco, it’s only around 20-minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s even better if you’re at Muir Woods National Monument, it’s less than 10-minutes!
The epic ocean view isn’t the only reason to come here. The shoreline was once used by the U.S Navy as a lookout station and quite a few of the original structures still remain (they’re not fully intact but there’s still plenty of it to see).
We were just going to stop, take in the views, and leave. After discovering its history, however, we knew we had to give it its own post. So continue reading and we’ll give you all the information you’ll need to check it out for yourself.
Directions
From San Francisco
From the area of the Golden Gate Bridge, its only about 20-minutes or so to the overlook. To reach the overlook from there:
Get on US-101 North crossing the GGB. You’ll travel this freeway for about 5.5 miles.
Take exit 445B for CA-1 to Mill Valley/Stinson Beach and stay left for around 7 miles.
After traveling up the winding road, you’ll see a sign for Muir Beach Overlook on your right.
Turn left shortly after the sign and you’ll turn right into the parking lot almost immediately.
From Muir Woods National Monument
It’s even easier if you’re coming from Muir Woods and in fact, the overlook makes for a perfect pit stop after visiting the monument and before continuing on to to other attractions. From Muir Woods:
Turn right out of the parking lot (you should see signs pointing the way to Muir Beach).
You’ll travel this road for about 3-miles or so.
You’ll come to a stop sign. You’ll want to turn right here (the sign points the way to Stinson Beach but rest assured, you’re going the right way).
After about a mile, you’ll see that sign on your right with the left-hand coming up shortly after it.
Parking
Parking is free and plentiful. The lot could easily accommodate a couple dozen vehicles or so but it is known to fill up quickly and often during the summer months. There’s a restroom at the rear of the lot but there aren’t any other facilities or services.
Additional Info
No EV charging stations available.
The upper viewing deck is stroller and wheelchair friendly but the path down to the lower viewing platform isn't .
You can expect to spend an hour or less here.
We would rate the trail down to the main platform as easy.
This is an excellent spot to watch the sunset
Viewing Levels
Upper Viewing Deck
The upper viewing platform is accessible to everyone and offers beautiful ocean views all its own. So don’t fret if you’re unable to make it down to the lower platform.
There’s informational boards detailing the coastline’s formation over millions of years and how the Navy used this shoreline as a lookout station (more on this later). You’ll also see an example of a “dugout” used by the Navy.
Main Viewing Platform
If you want to go further out and get a totally unobstructed view of the ocean, you’ll want to head down the pathway leading to the partially-shaped, hexagon platform. There are small stairs carved into the pathway making it easier to go up and down.
On the way down you’ll get expansive views of the beaches below and the beautiful coastline on either side of you. We found the views on the right side (going down) to be the best. Views of Muir Beach can be found on your left (again, going down).
At the end, you’ll reach the platform. When we say the views from here are endless, we mean it. We were fortunate to have it all to ourselves for quite a bit but during the peak tourist season, you may be sharing it with more than a few others. I would estimate about 6-8 adults could fit here comfortably.
If you’re here between November and June, it is possible to spot migrating Blue Whales from either lookout. If that’s what you’re wanting to see, bringing binoculars with you would be beneficial. Unfortunately, we didn’t see any during our visit.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of the views and snapped a few photos, you’ll simply head back up the same way you came. Just be sure to be mindful of others coming down the path. It’s wide enough for two people to pass eachother but still narrow enough to make it easy to bump into one another accidentally.
Military History
Dugouts
For history buffs, this is the best part about visiting the overlook. Scattered throughout the overlook you’ll see these dugouts buried halfway into the ground. Prior to 1941, these were used by Soldiers to view incoming ships and triangulate their distance, directions, and speed.
During World War II after the Pearl Harbor attack, these gained particular importance as many feared an attack on San Francisco was imminent. Soldiers would use these to watch for any incoming enemy ships. If one would be spotted, they would then advise the Batteries further down the coastline (such as Kirby and Spencer) to prepare for engagement.
Layout & Locations
As you can see in the illustration above, Soldiers would climb down a latter through a roof hatch to access these dugouts. They used to be nearly fully covered, leaving only a slight opening to look through. In the event of an attack, this opening could be closed for protection.
Soldiers would often spend days in these dugouts, leaving only to go to the bathroom. They kept radios, a calendar, food, water, and other personal items with them. They even had bunkbeds installed on the back wall.
There are four that we saw scattered throughout the overlook. Their locations are:
One at the upper viewing deck behind the informational boards.
Two of them (one on top of the other) at the start of the pathway leading to the lower viewing platform.
Another to the left of the aforementioned ones.
Unfortunately, they’ve been tagged with graffiti but despite this, they’re still an awesome part of our history and will hopefully be further preserved. In case you’re wondering, yes, you are allowed to get inside them. Just be careful getting in and out as there isn’t a ladder anymore.
Conclusion
We have no doubt that you will thoroughly enjoy your visit to this breathtaking overlook. The sheer amount of history contained here makes it even more appealing. Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you’re planning on going!
We hope this article has inspired you to visit this great place. If so, please support our website by sharing it with your friends and family on Facebook, Pinterest, or your favorite social media site. You can further show support by staying on and reading some of the related articles above.
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Kirby Cove: The Most Gorgeous View of The Golden Gate Bridge
There are countless ways vantage points could view the Golden Gate Bridge from. You could see it from the plazas on either…
There are countless vantage points one could view the Golden Gate Bridge from. You could see it from the plazas on either side, Battery Spencer, or Fort Point to name a few. Additionally, you could even walk or bike across it.
An estimated 10 million people, in one or another, visit the bridge every year. It is one of, if not THE most significant and recognizable landmarks in not just California, but the entire world. I could write an entire article on the countless view points. There’s one, however, I feel deserves the most praise.
I’m referring to Kirby Cove. A small enclave on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge. It’s accessible via a 1.5-mile trail that leaves from Conzelman road (just up the way from Battery Spencer). You may not get a close view, but seeing the bridge span across the bay with waves crashing against the rocky shoreline is a stunning sight.
So how do you get there? Where do you park? Can you just drive down there? All of these questions and more will be addressed in this article. If you weren’t planning on making a trip out to San Francisco this year, you very well may change your mind after seeing what this magical spot looks like. Here we go…
Trail Information
Kirby Cove trailhead. San Francisco, California.
Directions
As stated above, Kirby Cove is located on the Marin Headlands side of the bridge (opposite of the city). So if you’re already in the city, you’ll need to cross the bridge. If you’re coming into the city from the other side, the exit you’ll take is just before getting onto the bridge (or just coming off from the other side).
Take exit 442 to Alexander ave (We’re not kidding when we say it sneaks up on you. Be sure you’re paying attention or you’ll end up on the bridge and will have to pay toll)
Take a right on Alexander and shortly after, take a left on Bunker road
You’ll come to the single lane, “Bunker-Berry Tunnel”. Since it’s one lane, traffic is regulated via signal lights. You will likely have to wait a bit here
You’ll travel along Bunker road for a few miles before coming to McCullough road. Turn left here
When you come to the round-a-bout near Hawk Hill, you will take the Conzelman road exit and continue straight until you reach the signed trailhead
Parking
During our first visit in 2016, you essentially had to get lucky finding a spot at one of the 2-3 tiny pullouts along the road. Battery Spencer would’ve been your best bet as it’s the largest. Sometime between then and our most recent visit in December 2020, though, things have changed.
By altering the route people take to get here and making it a one-way road, they’ve increased the available parking tenfold via setting up parking spots along the side of the road in addition to the pull-outs. Regardless of this, parking still fills fast.
Our advice? Just pull into the first spot you see. Whether it’s the side of the road or in a pull-out, just take it. If you decide to roll the dice on getting a spot further down the road, you risk there being nothing available and you’ll be forced to drive around again (remember the single lane tunnel?)
The Trail
Trail to Kirby Cove. San Francisco, California.
The trail begins just up the way from the Battery Spencer parking lot. If you’ve managed to snag a parking spot here, congratulations! If you had to park further up, no worries. Simply walk down the road (on the dirt side) until you reach the signed trailhead.
Most people ask if they can just drive down there. The short answer is yes and no. The only real way to drive down is if you have a campground or event reservation (family reunion, birthday, etc.). Otherwise, you’re walking. If you want information on how to make a campground reservation, go here.
The trail is relatively smooth (if you're used to mountain trails this one will feel like a breeze). It’s a steep-ish, 1.5-mile hike to the bottom and is mostly sun exposed until you reach the campground. Just keep in mind that it can be a slog going back up so please stay hydrated.
Kirby Cove Campground
Kirby Cove campground.
Once the trail flattens out and you’re under tree cover, you’ll hook a left into the campground. Here, bathrooms are available if you’re in need of relief. If you feel like you’ve lost the trail, look for the logs positioned on the ground just as you enter the campground (pictured above).
Kirby Cove campground.
The campground is lush with cypress, eucalyptus, and pine trees providing plenty of shade. In the center of camp you’ll find a cluster of picnic tables and grills. We’re assuming this is where events are held. Shortly past this area is where you’ll see the bridge pictured above.
Battery Kirby
Battery Kirby.
After crossing the bridge, you’ll come across an old military artillery battery named, “Kirby Battery”. After construction in 1898, it was originally named, “Gravelly Beach Battery”, before being re-named to honor Lieutenant Edmund Kirby who died in 1853 during the Civil War.
Battery Kirby
This battery was built with concrete and had two M1895 mounted guns for defense. It was built in such a way where soldiers would have a commanding view of the bay while at the same time, making it nearly impossible for the enemy to see it from the water. If you'd like more information on the batteries around San Francisco Bay, go here.
Kirby Beach
Kirby Cove and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Just beyond Battery Kirby is the overlook that provides some of the best views you’ll ever see. To your right, waves crash against a rocky shoreline with endless ocean views. To your left is where you’ll get more rocky shorelines with the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge providing the most amazing backdrop.
Kirby Cove and the Golden Gate Bridge.
You’ll find stairwells on either side of you leading down to the beach. When we were here, there were quite a few fishermen here so if that’s your thing, bring your gear along. Most of the fishing seemed to take place on the right side of the beach but we did see one of the other end.
The Cave
Sea cave at Kirby Cove. San Francisco, California.
On the left side of the beach (facing the bridge) you’ll find a small sea cave cut into the rock wall. It isn’t much to look at but still cool, nonetheless. Access to it will depend on what the tide is doing. On our first visit, it wasn’t accessible but during our second visit, it was. If it looks sketchy, don’t risk it. As stated, it’s not much and isn’t worth being swept out to sea over.
Kirby Cove Swing
Kirby Cove swing. Now cut down.
Believe it or not, the expansive view of the ocean and bridge wasn’t always what Kirby Cove was known for. Around 2015 or so, images of people on a swing with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background began to spread through Instagram like wildfire and Kirby Cove became an overnight sensation.
When we came here in 2016, the swing was there. At that time, I was just getting into photography and all I had to work with was a cell phone (and not a good one), but my wife did manage to get a decent picture of me on it.
Kirby Cove. San Francisco, California.
Sometime between then and December 2020, the swing was taken down. NPS officials have taken it down a couple times before but a new one always managed to take its place. Now, though, the tree itself has been cut down entirely. Eliminating any possibility of a return.
We don’t know the exact reason(s) why the NPS is so against that swing being there but we have our suspicions. Either someone was injured to the point a lawsuit was filed or the NPS just wanted to avoid it all together. It’s understandable, but also unfortunate because that swing was pretty cool.
I don’t see how it could ever return but if it ever does, we will update this.
Conclusion
We hope this article about Kirby Cove has inspired you to visit this wonderful place. If so, please support our website by sharing it with your friends and family on social media. You can further show your support by staying on and reading one or more of the related articles above.
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Hike to North Dome and Indian Rock Arch in Yosemite National Park
While hiking Half Dome requires a permit and a great deal of planning, hiking neighboring North Dome requires nothing more than a drive up to the trailhead…
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.
While hiking Half Dome requires obtaining a permit and a great deal of planning and preparation, hiking neighboring North Dome requires nothing more than a drive up to the trailhead and strong legs.
Due to this, many see North Dome as an excellent alternative to Half Dome if you were unsuccessful in the permit lottery or if Half Dome is too daunting. There are no cables or climbing involved and best of all, you’ll be in a position to get one of the best views of Half Dome in the entire park.
So where is the trailhead for North Dome? What’s the parking situation like? Like to know what to expect on this trail? What’s Indian Rock Arch? I answer all of these questions and more in the post below. Let’s get into it.
North Dome Trailhead and Parking
Although you’re technically able to reach North Dome from the valley, the official trailhead is just off Tioga Road on Yosemite’s east side and can be found in the Porcupine Creek parking lot (do not confuse this with Porcupine Flat).
From Yosemite Valley, follow the signs to Highway 120. Ten miles after leaving the valley you’ll come upon Crane Flat. Turn right there and after twenty-five miles or so, you’ll arrive to the parking lot on your right.
From Yosemite’s east entrance, simply drive for about twenty miles after driving through the gate and you’ll reach Porcupine Creek on your left. If needed, there are pit toilets located in the parking lot.
As is the case with most Yosemite trailheads, the earlier you arrive, the better off you’ll be. I arrived to the trailhead at around 7am and there was only one other car. When I got back to my car after the hike, around 2pm, every spot was occupied.
The North Dome Trail
Much of the route to North Dome is your standard, albeit beautiful, walk in the woods. The scenery is stunning as you’re surrounded by hundreds of moss-covered trees and granite boulders.
You’re starting at 8,100 feet at the parking lot and you’ll work your way down to 7,540 feet at North Dome. While there will be some slight incline on the trail, you are ultimately going downward the whole time.
This is great on the way in and will feel like a breeze, but you’ll definitely feel it on your way back to the car (especially in the final mile or so). Total mileage, without taking the detour to Indian Rock Arch is 8.8 miles, round-trip. With the detour (highly recommended), you’ll add another mile or so.
Indian Rock Arch Detour
About 2/3rds of the way to North Dome, you’ll come across the half mile (one way) detour to Indian Rock Arch on your left. It is the ONLY natural granite arch located within Yosemite. The arch is about 15 feet tall and sits atop a hill with commanding views at the top.
My recommendation would be to take the detour on the way in, rather than on the way back. This way, you can save your energy and endurance for the elevation gain you’ll still need to navigate.
North Dome
After checking out Indian Rock Arch, continue your way to North Dome. After another mile or so, you’ll come into a clearing and get your first glimpse of both North Dome and Half Dome in the distance. Don’t stop here, the views are just getting started.
Eventually, you’ll reach a point where it feels like you’ve lost the trail. You haven’t. Just keep Half Dome in your sights and stay to the left (down) and you’ll pick it back up again. If needed, there are typically cairns all over the place to help guide you.
After dropping down from the granite you were just on, you’ll once again find yourself surrounded by trees and will have lost sight of Half Dome. Keep with the trail and after a short while you’ll come to another clearing. Here, you’ve officially made it to North Dome.
Half Dome will have a commanding presence as you continue to work yourself down to North Dome’s precipice and on arrival, you’ll have an amazing view of not only Half Dome, but Tenaya Canyon and the many highlights of Yosemite Valley as well.
Things to Know About the North Dome Hike in Yosemite
The trail is inaccessible in winter. The North Dome trail is on Yosemite’s east side on Tioga Road and due to heavy snowpack, this area of the park is closed in winter. Typically, it’ll open for the season at the end of May or beginning of June and closes with the first major snowfall of the year (typically late October/November).
North Dome isn’t easy, but it isn’t difficult either. You’ll be starting out at a higher elevation and work your way down, which is the easy part. Where it could get moderately challenging for some is on the way back out. As long as you’re prepared for this, you’ll do just fine.
North Dome itself is generally safe, but use common sense. North Dome doesn’t see the amount of hikers Half Dome does, so it isn’t overly slick. However, getting too close to the edge could result in a deadly slide into Tenaya Canyon or Yosemite Valley. Using footwear with good grip is advisable and of course, watch your footing.
It doesn’t get too crowded. It’s nowhere near as bad as the trails in the valley, such as the Mist Trail, or some of the neighboring trails on Tioga road (Cathedral Lakes, Tuolumne Meadows, etc). If you get an early start, you’ll likely have it mostly (or all) to yourself. Starting later will likely mean more people on the trail, though.
North Dome is NOT the same as Half Dome. There are no cables or climbing involved and it’s roughly half of the total milage as Half Dome. North Dome is a great alternative to those seeking similar views as Half Dome provides (albeit from a lower vantage point), but don’t want to bother with the red tape or the challenge of Half Dome.
