5.9 hr
Overview
Starting from the Cathedral Lakes trailhead, head west paralleling Tioga Road past all the famous domes: Pothole, Fariview, Medlicott, Polly and Pywiack. Join up with Tenaya Creek and follow it to the east end of Tenaya Lake. The trail skirts the southern shoreline and continues over level ground until about the 9 mile mark. Climb up to Olmstead Point and take in the huge panoramic views. After an bit more ascending over more granite slabs, leave Tioga Road behind. Descend a more wooded canyon, then climb back up to a saddle formed by the shoulder of Mount Watkins. From here it is downhill to a forested flat spot where the trail ends at an intersection with the Snow Creek Canyon Trail.
Trail Stats
21.6 km
300 m
2653 m
2349 m
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Photos
The trail crossing the outlet of Tenaya Lake.
The trail crossing the outlet of Tenaya Lake.
Clouds Rest seen from Tioga Pass
Clouds Rest seen from Tioga Pass
Coyote walking through the woods.
Coyote walking through the woods.
Quarter Domes and Half Dome at Sunset. Olmsted Point is a great place to view the rock features of Tenaya Canyon and watch the sunset.
Quarter Domes and Half Dome at Sunset. Olmsted Point is a great place to view the rock features of Tenaya Canyon and watch the sunset.
Clouds Rest at sunset.
Clouds Rest at sunset.
Breaks in the trees offer stunning views of the domes surrounding Tenaya Lake.
Breaks in the trees offer stunning views of the domes surrounding Tenaya Lake.
Tenaya Lake and the surround domes that make the area beautiful.
Tenaya Lake and the surround domes that make the area beautiful.
Looking across Tenaya Lake.
Looking across Tenaya Lake.
A view of the lake from the end where it drains out into Tenaya Canyon. This end of the lake is popular for swimmers in the summer.
A view of the lake from the end where it drains out into Tenaya Canyon. This end of the lake is popular for swimmers in the summer.
Domes and Tenaya Lake.
Domes and Tenaya Lake.
View over Tenaya Lake
View over Tenaya Lake