Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
| Address: | Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp, Pacific Crest Trail, Glen Aulin, CA, USA |
| GPS: |
37°54'33.7"N 119°25'8.6"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 12.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 800 feet |
Restrooms Picnic Tables Rivers Waterfalls Trails National Park
Backpack, Camp, Hike, and Swim
This trail is a popular route to take in the Yosemite High Country because it is a good introductory hike into the backcountry. At the end of the hike there are several waterfalls as well as a High Sierra Camp to stay at. This can be done as a day hike to the High Sierra Camp, and visitors can then enjoy a good meal and a nice tent. If hikers do not wish to pay the fee for the meal service/provided tent, there are several backpacker campsites throughout the site as well.
The majority of the trail will follow the Tuolumne River as it meanders through the Tuolumne Meadows and up into the High Sierra. Once reachingn the Glen Aulin camp, the beautiful White Cascade waterfall will be right next to the camp. Most visitors will use this camp as a basecamp for their adventures because the area has so many cool places to explore. One area that is popular to go to is Waterwheel Falls, which passes through a unique granite canyon. Outside of the camp and part of a different day hike is a trip to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. Many people will also enjoy a quick swim in the river, depending on how swift the current is.
There is plenty of wildlife to see, especially when the trails first open. Usually the trail will be open once road access is cleared to Tuolumne Meadows. Because of elevation, the flowers will bloom later than flowers found in Yosemite Valley. Also due to elevation, the High Country will be much cooler during the summer than in most places in the park.
More Information
Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBackpacking to Glen Aulin from Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park - California Through My Le
Yosemite National Park is known all over the world for its stunning granite domes and waterfalls. What many people don’t know though, is that the easy to access part of the park is only 5% of the total park. To truly experience its beauty, you need to get out into the backcountry and start to see…
https://californiathroughmylens.com/backpacking-to-glen-aulin/Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin Hike | Sierra News Online
We headed down the trail, following the beautiful Tuolumne River, full of reflections in some areas and waterfalls in some other spots. We also had white puffy clouds and critters accompany us on our adventure. Where: Yosemite National ParkDistance: 12 MilesDifficulty: Moderate to StrenuousElevation Range: 7,868′ – 8,657’Date: June 12, 2015Maps: Falls Ridge Topographic Quad
https://sierranewsonline.com/tuolumne-meadows-to-glen-aulin-hike/Yosemite Hikes: The Glen Aulin Trail
Glen Aulin, a 6.5-mile hike along the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/glen-aulin/glen-aulin.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Glen Aulin, California
- Head northeast on CA-120 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(20 ft)
Other Swimming Holes, Hiking Trails, and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
0.0 miles SWAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 0.9-3.2 mi
Cathedral Lakes
Wawona, California
4.4 miles SA gorgeous 7-mile High Sierra hike along the John Muir Trail to twin lakes at 10,000 feet, framed by Cathedral, Echo, and Tressider Peaks with sweeping views of Tenaya Lake from a rock shelf.
Hike, Swim 0.8-4.1 mi
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome
Yosemite Valley, CA
4.5 miles EA 4-mile round-trip hike through Tuolumne Meadows wildflowers to a serene evergreen lake and a granite dome with sweeping views — doable in 1.5 to 3 hours.
Hike, Swim
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
4.6 miles SEA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike
Elizabeth Lake
Wawona, California
5.2 miles SEA 4.8-mile hike with a 1,000-foot gain to a quiet alpine lake tucked between Cockscomb, Unicorn Peak, and Johnson's Peak in Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows backcountry.
Hike, Swim 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
5.6 miles WA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.8 miles SWTenaya Lake's glacier-carved granite shoreline offers a spacious east-beach for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking with stunning Yosemite dome views all around.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 1.3-1.6 mi
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.9 miles SWA 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to a scenic 9,270-foot lake at the base of Mt. Hoffmann — with views of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and Teyana Lake, plus the option to summit the peak for even grander panoramas.
Hike, Swim 3.6 mi
Lyell Canyon
Wawona, California
7.1 miles SEAn 8-mile, nearly flat hike through Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows along the Lyell Fork river, with creek crossings, Kuna Creek cascades, and backcountry quiet far from the crowds.
Hike 1.8 mi
Gaylor Lakes
Yosemite Valley, CA
8.2 miles EA 2-mile Yosemite hike with views the entire way — Dana Meadows, mountain peaks, and a high valley holding five separate lakes, with a mostly flat valley to wander once you top the pass.
Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Mono Pass
Yosemite Valley, CA
8.6 miles EAn 8-mile high-Sierra hike at 10,600 feet crossing meadows and several lakes, climbing through Bloody Canyon to sweeping views of Mono Valley and Mono Lake.
Hike, Swim 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
8.9 miles NEAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
11.4 miles WA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim 1.1 mi
Lundy Canyon
Bridgeport, California
11.6 miles NEA 3-mile canyon hike past twin 70-foot waterfalls and beaver ponds into the Hoover Wilderness, with options to climb 2,000 feet to Burro Lake or explore wildflower meadows and multiple cascades.
Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
11.8 miles SWA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
12.5 miles SWA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike
Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
12.8 miles WA long but gentle 5.8-mile walk down old Tioga Road through granite domes and red fir forest to a serene lake ringed by wildflowers — with optional extension to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
Backpack, Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
13.1 miles SWA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
13.2 miles SWA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim
Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
13.9 miles SWA warm, off-the-beaten-path pool fed by the Royal Arches Cascade just above Yosemite's Ahwanhee Hotel — great for families or a picnic near world-class climbing walls.
SwimNearby Campsites
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
0.0 miles SWAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
4.6 miles SEA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
5.6 miles WA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
8.9 miles NEAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Merced River
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Camp, Swim, Whitewater
Crane Flat
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Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
30.7 miles SEA 3.2-mile roundtrip Sierra day hike past Lake George, Lake Marie, and Lake Mamie, ending at Crystal Lake beneath the monolith Crystal Crag — shaded trail with room to swim, fish, or picnic lakeside.
Camp, Hike
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
37.7 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
39.5 miles SEA soaking hot spring in Long Valley's open sagebrush plain — pools range from 95°F to 105°F, with a larger deeper pool and smaller, hotter pools, reached by a 0.2-mile wooden boardwalk from the parking area.
Camp, Hot Springs
Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake, California
42.6 miles SENestled in the stunning Eastern Sierra near Crowley Lake, this BLM campground offers first-come, first-served sites for tents, RVs, and trailers with breathtaking high-desert views.
Camp
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
45.9 miles SEA two-mile stretch of the south fork of the Eel River inside a redwood canyon 180 miles from San Francisco — swim, kayak, fish, or hike, then camp near the 1,200-year-old Captain Miles Standish Tree.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
