Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Tioga Rd, Wawona, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°51'1.9"N 119°36'54.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 1.60 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Easiest |
| Elevation Gain: | 200 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 0.7 mi |
Lakes Rivers Streams Wildflowers National Park
Hike and Swim
Lukens Lake is a small lake in the White Wolf area of Yosemite National Park. The hike is a short, 1.6 mile walk through a forest to the secluded lake surrounded by trees and a small wildflower meadow. This lake is famous for the luminescent shooting stars that are easily spotted while swimming here, so although it's not the most popular lake in the valley, it's not uncommon to have company while you're there.
There are two separate trails that will take you to Lukens Lake, one is 1.6 miles and starts from Tioga Road, and the other is 4.6 miles and starts from the White Wolf Lodge. Both trails have a low elevation gain, about 200-300 feet, and lead you through some pretty thick woods until you reach the lake. The longer trail crosses the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River has a few more wildflowers and streams, but mostly it's just a longer walk in the forest.
The best time to visit is in July, when the wildflower meadows are at their peak. Tread carefully, though, because the trail is typically wet and muddy until August. It's also important to stay on the marked path so as not to damage the meadows.
More Information
Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
- Head west on CA-120 W toward Sierra High Rte/Yosemite National Park RdToll roadMay be closed at certain times or daysDestination will be on the right(22.1 mi)
There is a parking lot just outside of both trailheads
Trails
Distance ?
0.7 milesElevation Gain ?
49 feetReal Ascent ?
211 feetReal Descent ?
162 feetAvg Grade (1°)
1%Grade (-11° to 16°)
-20% to 28%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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