Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | White Wolf Rd, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°52'11.6"N 119°38'56.1"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 5.80 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 355 feet |
Lakes Trails Rocks Wildflowers National Park
Backpack and Hike
The hike to Harden Lake at Yosemite is essentially a long walk. Much of the trail is walking down Tioga Road, an old gravel street that has been part of Yosemite since its foundation. The trail is wide, and there isn't much of an elevation gain. The only reason it isn't one of the easiest hikes in the valley is because of its length. Harden Lake is about 5.8 miles from the trailhead, which is longer than most beginners are comfortable with.
About two miles into the hike, you'll reach the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River. Follow the signs that lead to the lake. Along the trail, there are small granite domes, a red fir forest, and lodgepole pines.
The lake itself, although not one of the most popular in the park, offers a quiet and serene place to finish the hike and take in the scenery. There are tons of rocks and trees surrounding the lake, as well as a meadow of wildflowers.
For those who want to continue hiking, there is a trail just beyond the lake that will lead to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. This makes the hike a total of 8.3 miles roundtrip, with an elevation gain of 1000 ft on the return trip.
More Information
Be 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 Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on CA-120 E toward Tuolumne Grove RdToll road(7.7 mi)
- Turn left to stay on CA-120 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(14.5 mi)
- Turn left onto White Wolf RdToll road(1.1 mi)
