Lyell Canyon in Yosemite National Park

Lyell Canyon

This trail provides hikers with a pleasurable walk through ponderosa pine, oak, and manzantia.

Plan Around Lyell Canyon

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Lyell Canyon Details

This is an enjoyable hike that takes you through lodgepole pines and meadows filled with spring and summer wildflowers (whorled penstemon, alpine goldenrod) in what is otherwise fairly unspectacular territory. The trail through Lyell Canyon is an easy way to get away from the crowds, but still enables you to enjoy the quiet lower montane scenery. The smooth, virtually flat trail, which is commonly used by through-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail, crosses a number of picturesque meadows, rivers, and small cascades where it junctions with Rafferty Creek and the Tuolumne River. While it has the potential to be a rather long trail, it is easily shortened. A popular destination on this trail is "Twin bridges," a beautiful meadow setting on the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River. Trailhead: from Tuolumne Meadows Lodge parking lot

Difficulty

Low

Distance

1.4 miles

Estimated time

2 hours

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Lyell Canyon

Compare nearby parks around Lyell Canyon when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

16.4 mi away

Yosemite

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140.0 mi away

Pinnacles

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167.4 mi away

Death Valley

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212.5 mi away

Lassen Volcanic

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292.6 mi away

Great Basin

National Park · NV

308.8 mi away

Joshua Tree

National Park · CA

Nearby Points of Interest Around Lyell Canyon

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Lyell Canyon while the map context is still fresh.

0.1 mi away

Tuolumne Lodge

This large parking lot serves the Tuolumne Lodge, John Muir Trail, Vogelsang, and Lyell Canyon.

0.1 mi away

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

Restrooms are available within the lodge.

0.1 mi away

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

The lodge provides parking facilities for its guests during their stay.

0.1 mi away

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge

Nestled high in Yosemite's wilderness, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge offers a rustic tent cabin experience perfect for adventurers.

0.2 mi away

Vogelsang Area

A strenuous hike to some of the beautiful backcountry around Vogelsang Lake and Pass.