Yosemite National Park, California, USA trip: Family Trip to Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows | TripWiser: Social Trip Planner for Family Trips and Road Trips

Tuolumne Meadows is Your Camp in the High Sierra! For visitors seeking a High Country experience in the Sierra, the rustic lodge in Tuolumne Meadows is a great choice. It's located in the largest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation of 8,775 feet. This is an ideal base camp for day hikes throughout Yosemite, the Tuolumne Meadows area or before backpacking in the High Sierra. Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is open from approximately early July to mid-September conditions permitting and is located on the Tioga Road, near the Park's eastern entrance on Highway 120 East. It is 60 miles from Yosemite Valley. Check out the gorgeous photos my family & siblings took on our last trip there. Can't get much more pristine than this! If you don't stay at the lodge, try Tuolumne Meadows Campground first. Other campgrounds (first come, first served) along Tioga Pass Road are: • Sunnyside Walk-In Campground (shared sites) • Hodgdon Meadow Campground (October - April) • Tamarack Flat Campground • White Wolf Campground • Yosemite Creek Campground • Porcupine Flat Campground

Day 1 Today, acquaint yourself with the area by checking out the Visitors Center, the lodge, and the campground. There's a store & a grill at the entrance to the campground, where you can stock up on supplies, get photographs, maps, ice, burgers.
Day 2 Today, choose between the Tuolumne Falls Trail or the Young Lakes Loop Trail. I waited till my youngest was 9 before going on these hikes because Tuolumne is in the High Sierra's & is less frequented than the Yosemite Valley below. Each hiker should have their own backpack, water, whistle, flashlight. We called out a "check" before heading out hiking for the day, making sure each person was equipped with the essentials. Tuolumne Meadows is gorgeous...and large...and trails can lead to hidden gems. But because of the remoteness of this area, it's important to have each hiker carry their own equipment in case they wander off and/or get separated from the group. Please be aware that bears enjoy Tuolumne River & can be seen many a time at dusk.
Day 3 This trail begins along the Tioga Road less than a mile west of the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. There is no official parking area at the trailhead, just a turn off on each side of the road with limited parking. From Tioga Road the trail leads southwestward, following the John Muir Trail (JMT) to a short spur that leads to the larger Cathedral Lake. A short distance southwest from the parking area is a trail junction with the JMT and a trail that parallels Tioga Road. Cross the Tioga Road trail, following the JMT. The first half mile of the trail ascends 400 feet then levels and turns westward. Descending slightly you'll see Fairview Dome to the north as you hike along its southern flanks. The trail dips to cross a small creek the begins the true ascent of this route. Beyond the small stream the trail ascends another 300 feet using switchbacks. Within a half mile the trail levels and begins crossing the western flanks of Cathedral Peak, 10940. Three quarters of a mile from the switchbacks you'll approach a fork in the trail. The right fork leads to lower Cathedral Lake. Follow this short trail as it descends gradually to the eastern shore of the lake. Lower Cathedral Lake lies at an elevation of approximately 9,300 feet, high in the Merced River drainage. This site is heavily used by day hikers and backpackers. Although there are several campsites around the lake it is best to use this site as the destination of a day hike so as not to further impact the delicate terrain. Directions : From Arch Rock Entrance, Follow Highway 140 toward Yosemite Valley. Before reaching the valley turn left on to Big Oak Flat Road. Drive 9.5 miles on Big Oak Flat Road to Tioga Road. Turn right on Tioga Road and travel approximately 37 miles to the Cathedral Lake Trailhead.
Day 4 Today, you'll head out past the East Gate Entrance out of Yosemite National Park & into Lee Vining. About 1 1/2 miles past the gate, you'll come to the Tioga Pass Resort, which has cabins, a general store, & a cafe of good, solid, homemade food. I ate there before heading another mile East, parked at the campground there & hiked up to the Silver Mine & the 3 lakes there, including Fantail Lake, my absolute favorite lake to date! The pristine, pure naturalness of this place gave me a peace I hadn't felt in years. Many times, there's still snow on the grounds here. The kids will love this place too because on the way to the abandoned silver mine, you'll see the remains of a "town" that started there. After checking out the mine, you'll head down the trail along a pleasant & easy hike to the lakes. The kids will enjoy the shallowness of this lake...but bring your water socks because it's muddy in the water. Simply a beautiful place to have some snacks & rest. This makes for a grand day trip & you could easily head back to camp after this outing...but if you want, you could continue east & travel DOWNhill all the way to Mono Lake. There's some good views along the way & it is an interesting study of going from the High Sierra foliage down into an almost desert like environment. My group had headed back to the campsite, but I got the cabin rental information & came back for a return trip a few months later, where I traveled down to Mono Lake & the Ghost Town of Bodie.
Day 5 On the way back home, stop at the White Wolf Campgrounds & dine at the White Wolf Lodge. Casual seating, with outdoor dining available. I went there for my anniversary dinner & I found the food tasty, fresh, & simply made. In the campground environment, it was wholly appropriate & appreciated!

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