10 Amazing Things To Do On Yosemite’s East Side
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It still surprises me how many people are completely unaware that there’s much more to Yosemite than the valley. Don’t get me wrong, the valley is literally dotted with amazing sights like Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the Mist Trail, so there’s no shame in spending your vacation there.
However, I put this list together to persuade you to include a visit to the east side of Yosemite during your visit. Many of the main sights can be seen in a single day, but if you want to include a few of the hiking trails (and you should), you’ll want to set aside at least two days.
This list was made with families and casual hikers in mind, which is why the more strenuous trails, such as Cloud’s Rest, were omitted. With that in mind, let’s get into my pick of 10 amazing things to do on the east entrance of Yosemite.
Is the East Entrance to Yosemite open?
Yosemite’s east entrance is seasonal. It is closed during the winter due to heavy snowpack and remains closed through early spring while road crews work to clear it. Typically, Yosemite’s east gate opens between late May and mid June, depending how heavy the snowfall was that year. For example, due to the record snowfall of the 2022/2023 winter, the east entrance didn’t open until late July.
In general, park officials will keep the gate open until the first major snowfall of the year, which typically occurs in late October or sometime in November. During this time, the only way to access this side of the park is via backcountry skiing.
1) Drive Tioga Pass
If you’re coming from Lee Vining, this part is built into the trip. Tioga Pass is California’s highest automobile pass in the state and is the access road to Yosemite’s east entrance. Most of it is also closed during winter.
From the valley, follow the signs to Highway 120 and keep driving until you’re outside of the east gate and head down to Lee Vining. While you’re there, be sure to grab some lunch at Whoa Nelly Deli or Bodie Mike’s BBQ.
This drive is simply breathtaking and is a must see. Drive cautiously, though. The is narrow, the drop-offs are steep, and there are no guard rails. Additionally, keep an eye out for falling rocks. Some notable features along the pass include Nunatak Loop, Saddlebag Lake, Lake Ellery, and the Twenty Lakes Loop trail.
2) Gaylor Lakes Trail
Gaylor Lakes is one of the first hiking trails you’ll come across after arriving. In fact, the parking lot is immediately to your right upon driving through the gate. People who are hiking up to the summit of Mount Dana also park here, so it fills rather quickly.
Gaylor Lakes is a moderate-level hike and rather short in length, but the first mile or so is an exhausting uphill slog above 10,000 feet. After the pass, it drops you back down and it is there where you’ll come across the first of a series of lakes. Keep going and you’ll discover historic miners cabins.
Trail Length: About 3 miles, out and back
3) Elizabeth Lake Trail
This is another hike on the easier side. There is some elevation gain along the way, but nothing difficult and for the most part, it’s barely noticeable. It’s mostly flat, short in length and has an epic payoff at the end. Unicorn Peak is the mountain shadowing the lake and is climbable if you have any energy left to burn.
The official trailhead is located at the back end of Tuolumne Meadows campground. To get there, simply drive through the campground and park by the restrooms. If it is closed, you’ll need to park in the lot out front and walk to the trailhead. This will add another couple miles overall.
Trail Length: 5 miles, out and back. 7 miles if hiking through the campground
4) Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point is one of the east side’s most popular attractions due to its easy access and epic view of Half Dome. The lot can comfortably hold around a few dozen vehicles, but tour buses do utilize it and thus, it fills up quickly. Especially on weekends and in the summer months.
Try to get here as early as possible to guarantee a parking spot (being here for sunrise is an experience all its own). It will fill up later in the day but people tend to come and go often. So worst case, you may just have to circle around a couple times.
Pro tip: If you have extra energy to burn, head up the granite slope across the road because from there, the views of Half Dome and Tenaya Lake are epic
5) Lembert Dome & Dog Lake Trail
Looming 800 feet above Tuolumne Meadows is Lembert Dome, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the east side. Hiking to the top of Lembert Dome is possible via a rather short, but steep in some places, trail. Once you’re up there, the views of Tuolumne Meadows are outstanding.
Additionally, you can add some milage to this hike but taking the detour to Dog Lake, which is just behind Lembert Dome. Why did they name it, “Dog”, you ask? I have no idea, but it’s a beautiful lake regardless and worth the short detour.
While this hike starts out on flat terrain, it soon turns into an uphill climb that will make you question your desire to complete the hike. Once you get past that, though, the trail smooths out again (until you reach the dome, that is). Despite the climb, it’s completely doable as a family hike.
Trail Length: 2.8 miles, out and back for both Lembert Dome and Dog Lake
6) Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake is the largest and easily accessed of all Yosemite lakes. No hiking required. Simply find a parking spot in the lots at either end of the lake or find a spot along the shoulder.
In the dead of summer, the crowds here can get particularly large but still nowhere near the levels Yosemite Valley receives. To guarantee yourself a good spot on the lake itself, arrive early.
There’s an easy going trail that circles the lake. You won’t have to worry about ups and downs as it’s mostly flat but early on in the season you will encounter high water levels at the lake’s outlet on the west end. Late in the season, however, it’s a non-issue.
Pro Tip: Tenaya Lake is one of the most scenic lakes you could possibly paddle board on. Bring this highly-rated inflatable SUP board along with you
7) Pothole Dome
The easiest of all the domes, Pothole stands on the western end of Tuolumne Meadows and is mild in difficulty. It’s also hard to miss as it’s easily visible from the road.
From the parking lot (10-12 cars max) you’ll find the trail that takes you straight to it. As tempting as it may be to cut straight across, please keep to the trail. This area is part of a years long effort to grow more trees in the meadow.
Once you reach Pothole, simply find a section that looks to be in your comfort zone and go up. There’s no official path from this point. Alternatively, keep on the trail and it’ll eventually take you to beautiful cascades on the Tuolumne River.
Pro tip: Go as high as you can. The views of Tuolumne Meadows and Cathedral Peak are amazing from the top
8) Mono Pass Trail
This hike falls under the category of sorta long but still moderate. It’s mostly flat until you reach the fork to Spillway Lake and starts to head up to Mono Pass at 10,599 feet.
Along the trail you’ll pass beautiful river streams, meadows, and shaded pines (until you reach the pass, that is). Once you pass the boundary of Yosemite and reach a rocky shelf, you’ll have an epic view of Sardine Lake and a slither of Mono Lake in the same frame.
Trail Length: 7.8 miles, RT if you go to the Sardine Lake overlook. 7.4 miles if you don’t
Pro Tip: Shortly after arriving at the pass but before the lake you’ll see an unmarked trail spurring off to the right. Take it and in a quarter mile you’ll see a few old 1800’s miner cabins
9) Tuolumne Meadows
Few things beat taking a stroll through the always beautiful, Tuolumne Meadows. It is probably the most tourist heavy attraction on this list but don’t fret, you’ll have plenty of elbow room.
Some notable features of Tuolumne Meadows are frequent deer & bear sightings (mostly in the morning), the Merced River, Pothole Dome, Parsons Memorial Lodge, Soda Springs, and more!
Pro Tip: If you’re here in spring or early summer, bring mosquito repellant and lots of it. If you’re not a fan of DEET, you can try this DEET-free citronella spray. I use when I hike and it does a great job at keeping mosquitos, bees, and other insects off of me (it smells fantastic as well)
10) Cathedral Lakes Trail
Rounding out the list is one of the premier hikes on Yosemite’s east side and easily one of the top hikes in the entire park, Cathedral Lakes. This one is mega popular among the Instagram crowd and is a regular stop along the John Muir Trail (JMT).
The trail is moderate in difficulty but the first couple miles or so will be a steady uphill slog. You’ll see two lakes, both of which are worthy of your efforts. Lower Cathedral is the largest of the pair but the upper lake, in my opinion, wins in the scenery department.
Trail Length: 7 miles, out and back if doing one lake. 8 miles if doing both
