Tioga Road Yosemite

By Jacob

Just south of the small town of Lee Vining near beautiful Lake Mono in California is the junction for Highway 120, a.k.a Tioga Road, the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Turning on the highway, the road begins to rise in elevation to the west and up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Eventually, on the south side of the road is an ever-growing cliff as the road increases elevation. The surrounding baron landscape is getting ever more spectacular. At Ellery Lake, the baroness ends and the sire of the high country of Yosemite begins. A spectacular mountain creek brings life to the area as the road continues its climb. Higher still, the gorgeous Tioga Lake. At an elevation of 9,945 feet, an entrance station welcomes you to Yosemite National Park.

Into Yosemite, the magnitude of the scenery continues to amaze. The first stop along this road is the famous Tuolumne Meadows. Start at the meadows visitor center for information on trails and attractions to see in this district of the park. The Tuolumne River makes its way through high elevation meadows with mountain passes in the backdrop and towering domes of granite to climb and explore. The 3.75 mile round trip trail to the top of Lambert Dome for spectacular views of the surrounding country. Taking other short trails in the meadows is awarded beautiful views all around.

Further to the west is the alpine Tenaya Lake. It is surrounded by domes of rock and forests of Lodgepole. There are several pull-offs to see and walk around the lake. Tenaya Lake is a great picnic area to sit down and relax in this spectacular setting. Next, stop at the spectacular Olmsted Point for your first view of the attractions of Yosemite Valley. Looking to the southwest across a hill of granite is Half Dome, the massive rock face on the south side of the valley.