Hike this Hidden Alpine Gem – May Lake in Yosemite National Park
Are you looking for a short and scenic hike in Yosemite National Park? You have to hike the trail to May Lake. The May Lake trail is a 2.3 miles round trip hike and it is one of the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite. The hike ends at the high altitude May Lake which is at 9270 ft.
The trailhead itself starts off at a high elevation of 8700 ft. Some hikers continue to hike to Mt. Hoffman which is towering above May Lake at 10845 ft. On a calm morning, you can see the reflection of the granite cliffs of Mt. Hoffman on the lake.
Charles Hoffmann was a member of the Whitney Geological Survey from 1863-1867. He named this lake after Lucy Mayotta Browne. They got married in 1870. Isn’t it beautiful that May Lake rests by Mt. Hoffman?
Best time to visit May Lake
The trail is accessible at all times when Tioga Pass Road is open, typically between June through October.
The May Lake trail head is about an hour drive from Big Oak Flat Entrance. You can also visit Tuolumne Grove on the way to May Lake. The last part of the drive to the trailhead is a one lane road with many potholes, so go slow and share the road with other vehicles.
Trail Details
- Distance: 2.3 mi
- Elevation Gain: 485 ft
- All Trails Link: May Lake Trail
May Lake Hike
The May Lake hike is short and scenic with stunning views of Half Dome, Clouds Rest etc making it one of the easiest hikes to some of the most incredible views in Yosemite. It rests below Mt. Hoffman which is the geographic center of Yosemite National Park. Since it is one of the High Sierra Camps, it makes for a great introductory backpacking route as well.
Finding parking was not much of an issue. We went on a Saturday in the month of October and not many people were there before us. There is also a pit toilet at the parking lot as well bear proof food storage bins. Do not leave any food in the car.
The hike is a steady climb in elevation up until the lake. I am not sure if it was the high elevation or my sleep deprivation as a new mom, I definitely felt tired during the hike. We encountered a series of switchbacks on our way up, so took some breaks in those parts. It is not too steep so you can totally do it. Carry lots of sunscreen as the trail is mostly exposed until you reach the lake.
On the way, you get stunning views of Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome. There are not many easy hikes that let you look down at Cloud’s Rest so this hike is definitely a hidden gem in Yosemite National Park.
Once we reached the end of the trail, we relaxed on the rocks and took in the views of May Lake and Mt. Hoffman. If you are feeling up for a challenge, you can hike to Mt. Hoffman. This is not a very clear trail so you need to have a map to navigate this route.
Other Attractions Near May Lake
- Mt. Hoffman
- Tenaya Lake
- Tuolumne Grove
- Porcupine Creek Trailhead
- Olmstead Point
Hope you enjoyed reading about May Lake. If you do end up visiting or you have been here already, leave a comment down below about your overall experience!
Read my other posts on Yosemite National Park – Ultimate Weekend Guide and Best Views and Hikes in Yosemite National Park
