May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°50'51.7"N 119°29'35.3"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 2.50 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 500 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.2-1.6 mi |
Restrooms Lakes Trails Rocks National Park
Hike and Swim
May lake is a relatively small lake that rests at the base of Mt. Hoffman in Yosemite National Park. One of the park's most scenic lakes, May lake not only gets up close and personal with beautiful granite cliffs, but it sits at an elevation of 9,270 feet and offers views of both Clouds Rest and Teyana Lake.
The hike to May Lake is only 2.5 miles round trip, but it has an elevation gain of 500 feet, so it climbs pretty steadily upward. Many visitors choose to hike both May Lake and Mt. Hoffmann, which adds 3.5 miles and about an extra 1500 feet of elevation to the hike.
Mt. Hoffmann sits at an elevation of 10, 845 feet and offers views of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, the northern Yosemite wilderness, and views of May Lake from above as well.
Charles Hoffmann allegedly named the mountain after himself and the lake after Lucy Mayotta Brown back in 1867. Three years later, the two were married.
Because the trailhead starts on Tioga Road, this hike is usually closed in the winter, so be sure to check road conditions before you embark. Also remember to pace yourself as you gain elevation and the oxygen gets thinner.
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 Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Continue onto El Portal RdToll road(0.9 mi)
- Turn right onto Big Oak Flat Road (signs for CA-120/Tioga Rd/Manteca)Toll road(9.5 mi)
- Continue onto Old Yosemite Coulterville RdToll road(344 ft)
- Turn right onto CA-120 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(27.0 mi)
- Turn leftToll road(1.8 mi)
There is a parking lot just outside the trailhead.
Trails
Distance ?
1.2 milesElevation Gain ?
472 feetReal Ascent ?
510 feetReal Descent ?
38 feetAvg Grade (4°)
7%Grade (-6° to 17°)
-10% to 31%Distance ?
1.6 milesElevation Gain ?
1,209 feetReal Ascent ?
1,334 feetReal Descent ?
125 feetAvg Grade (9°)
15%Grade (-14° to 28°)
-26% to 54%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.
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