Mono Pass
Yosemite Valley, CA
| Address: | Yosemite National Park, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°53'27.5"N 119°15'45.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 8.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 1000 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 4.0 mi |
Lakes Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers National Park
Hike and Swim
At an elevation of 10,600 feet, the hike through Mono Pass is an 8 mile journey that takes you across the High Sierras, through several meadows, and stops at a few different lakes along the way.
The first part of the trail guides hikers through the streams and meadows of the High Sierras. Once it hits the Spillway Lake Junction, the trail starts to get a little bit more strenuous. The scenery begins to change as well. The closer the trail climbs towards Bloody Canyon, the more rocky and barren the landscape becomes. The latter half of the hike offers views of the majority of Mono Valley, including Mono Lake and, if you're up for a little more traveling, Upper Sardine Lake as well.
While the pass is already at a significantly high elevation, there is still a 1000 foot elevation gain on the hike, so be prepared to notice a loss of oxygen and bring any headache remedies you may need, especially if you're coming into Yosemite at sea level.
Mono Pass is open as long as Tioga Road is open, which is typically June to November, but because of the elevation, it's not uncommon for snow to obstruct several of the viewpoints if you are there too early in the season.
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=9zpxis0diinYosemite Hikes: The Mono Pass Trail
A hiker’s guide to the Mono Pass Trail in Yosemite National Park
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/mono-pass/mono-pass.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 Yosemite Valley, CA
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Continue onto El Portal RdToll road(0.9 mi)
- Turn right onto Big Oak Flat Road (signs for CA-120/Tioga Rd/Manteca)Toll road(9.5 mi)
- Continue onto Old Yosemite Coulterville RdToll road(344 ft)
- Turn right onto CA-120 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(45.1 mi)
- Turn rightToll roadDestination will be on the right(115 ft)
Parking is available at the trailhead.
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Gaylor Lakes
Yosemite Valley, CA
1.5 miles NA 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 3.6 mi
Lyell Canyon
Wawona, California
2.8 miles SWAn 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 0.8-4.1 mi
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome
Yosemite Valley, CA
4.2 miles WA 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 WA 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 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
5.2 miles NAt 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
Elizabeth Lake
Wawona, California
6.7 miles SWA 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
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
8.6 miles WA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
8.6 miles WAn 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 1.1 mi
Lundy Canyon
Bridgeport, California
9.1 miles NA 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 0.9-3.2 mi
Cathedral Lakes
Wawona, California
9.4 miles WA 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
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
11.7 miles WTenaya 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
12.9 miles WA 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 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
14.1 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 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.0 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 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
17.2 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
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
18.5 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 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
18.7 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 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
19.4 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 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
19.5 miles SWA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike
Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
19.6 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
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
4.6 miles WA 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 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
5.2 miles NAt 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
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
8.6 miles WA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
8.6 miles WAn 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 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
14.1 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
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
20.3 miles SWThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
24.2 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
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
31.0 miles WFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
31.3 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
34.9 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
41.3 miles SA 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
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
44.4 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
