Hike May Lake

May Lake Trail

Situated in the geographical center of the national park are Mt. Hoffman and May Lake, two picturesque high- country destinations.

The path to May Lake is an easy one. Beyond the lake, the climb to the top of 10,850-foot Mt. Hoffman is steep (1,500-foot gain in two miles). The prominent peak honors Charles F. Hoffman, chief mapmaker of the Whitney Geological Survey of 1863 that explored the area.

Tucked at the base of Mt. Hoffman, May Lake entices anglers in search of rainbow and brook trout. By the lake is one of Yosemite’s High Sierra Camps, which offer meals and ten-cabin accommodation. Such camps are sited a day’s hike apart on a 50-mile loop around Tuolomne Meadows and are usually reserved (for a fee) well in advance. Not to despair if you lack a reservation for May Lake High Sierra Camp; a “regular” trail camp is located on the lake’s south shore.

The walk to May Lake is short in distance, but long on views: Cathedral Peak, Clouds Rest, Half Dome and of course Mt. Hoffman, thrusting, it seems, right out of the lake.

The hike: The passes through a forest of lodgepole pine and red fir that soon thins as the route climbs into rockier terrain. A half-mile out, enjoy the views of Half Dome and the castellated Cathedral Peaks.

The trail divides at May Lake: High Sierra Camp to the right, the backpacker’s camp to the left. Walk the lakeshore all the way around the lake if you’d like.

If the summit of Mt. Hoffman calls to you, know that it’s a difficult 2-mile climb to the top. There’s a sketchy use trail, but certainly no established nor maintained footpath. Head west, pass the campground and begin the ascent above the lake’s south shore. The route traverses a meadow then climbs northwest up to Hoffman’s fairly flat summit ridge. Easiest (least difficult would be a better way to put it) of Hoffman’s peaklets to scale is the west summit. Enjoy the view and return the way you came.

Yosemite Hiking Trails >>  
Hetch Hetchy | Mariposa Grove | Wawona Meadow | Glacier Point 4 Mile Trail
Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley | Half Dome Trail | Yosemite Falls | Vernal & Nevada Falls
May Lake | Cathedral Lakes | Clouds Rest | Gaylor Lakes | Lembert Dome | Lukens Lake
Merced Grove | Mirror Lake | Mono Pass | Mount Dana | North Dome | Taft Point
Ten Lakes | Tenaya Lake | Tuolumne Falls | Tuolumne Grove | Tuolumne Meadow