Hikes in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park protects nearly 1,200 square miles of stunning Sierra Nevada wilderness and draws approximately four million visitors each year. Tourists congregate in Yosemite Valley, a seven square mile sector that is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular places on the planet. Highlights of Yosemite National Park [wp_ad_wide_page] Yosemite National Park Yosemite Valley is hydrated by some of the tallest waterfalls in the world, including Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet, and Ribbon Fall, the longest single-drop waterfall in North America with an epic 1,612-foot plunge. ... Read more.
Cottonwood Lakes Trail to New Army Pass in the John Muir Wilderness
Cottonwood Lakes Trail provides a scenic romp through the Southeastern Sierra with alpine lakes and mountain views. Located south of Mount Whitney and west of the city of Lone Pine, the trail travels through the Golden Trout Wilderness and the John Muir Wilderness to end at the border of Sequoia National Park. This is a superb trail for day hikers and backpackers alike. ...Read more.
Distance: 15 miles · Elevation change: 2350 feet
By: Published: September 21, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Chicken Spring Lake in the Golden Trout Wilderness
This mountain lake is 0.6 miles from Cottonwood Pass, making it an easy 8.2-mile round trip hike from Horseshoe Meadow. With just 1,330 feet of elevation gain en route to the lake, this is a desirable destination for day-hikers and a good first camp for backpackers. Follow Cottonwood Pass Trail to a junction at the pass with Pacific Crest Trail. Turn right and continue through a rocky forest of Foxtail Pines. ...Read more.
Distance: 8.2 miles · Elevation change: 1330 feet
By: Published: September 17, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Horseshoe Meadow Campgrounds in the Golden Trout Wilderness
Cottonwood Pass Trail and Cottonwood Lakes Trail provide great portals into Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Park. Hiking begins at an elevation of 10,000 feet, providing a launch pad into the high sierra. Because you start so high up, acclimating is a key to avoiding altitude sickness. For this reason, a pair of first-come first-serve campgrounds offer a valuable resource for hikers. ...Read more.
By: Published: September 16, 2010 Last updated: April 13, 2026
Cottonwood Pass in the Golden Trout Wilderness
At an elevation of 11,200 feet, Cottonwood Pass serves as a gateway to the Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park. The pass is reached via a 3.5-mile one way trail from Horseshoe Meadow, which has an elevation of 10,000 feet, making this is one of the easiest passes for hikers to reach in the Eastern Sierra. A view of Trail Peak from Horseshoe Meadow Pick up the trail at Horsehoe Meadow Campground and begin hiking east over packed sand along the northern edge of Horseshoe Meadow. ...Read more.
Distance: 7 miles · Elevation change: 1200 feet
By: Published: September 16, 2010 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Natural Water Slide in Giant Sequoia National Monument
On a hot summer day in the Sierra, what could be better than a cool water slide? Answer: a natural water slide. Fortunately, Giant Sequoia National Monument is nice enough to offer one. However, you wouldn't know it from the park literature. Nature's slip-n-slide goes unmentioned in handouts and websites. For that reason, many visitors miss out on this unadvertised attraction. ...Read more.
Distance: 1.5 miles · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Published: June 21, 2010 Last updated: April 8, 2026