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Tuolumne Meadows – The meadows at
Tuolumne are perfect for kids! The Tuolumne River flows over moss-covered
pebbles and sandy stream bottoms. Kids can play for hours, wading and splashing
in shallow pools, building dams or moss gardens in little side streams that
meander off the main river, or just running through the soft grasses in
the meadows. |
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 Soda
Springs – Park at the Soda Springs trailhead on Tioga Road and
head out on the trail through the meadows. On the way you'll cross the Tuolumne
River – stop off to play by the water. At the Soda Springs, you can
watch the fizzy water bubbling out of the orange-colored ground (don't drink
the water). |
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Lyell
Fork of the Tuolumne River – Take the trail (Pacific Coast Trail
and John Muir Trail) from the Dog Lake parking lot to the Lyell Fork of
the Tuolumne River. At the bridge are wonderful shallow rock pools and sandy beaches
where kids can play, while the panorama of the surrounding mountains is just
glorious. The trail continues along the river – follow it as long as
you like. Bring a picnic and spend the day. |
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Climb
Pothole Dome – You can see Pothole Dome from Tioga Road, poking
up at the western edge of Tuolumne Meadows. Follow the trail from the road
around to the eastern side of the dome. From there, climb up the gentle
rock slope to the top (200 ft.). The southeastern side is a big wide flat
expanse of rock, some with glacial polish, and easy for kids to walk up.
From the top, you'll have a bird's eye view all around – the meadows
to the east, high mountains to the north and another rock dome, Fairview
Dome, right across the way. |
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Hike to Elizabeth Lake – One of our favorite hikes at Toulumne, the trail winds up through a shady pine forest, goes along green meadows next to a sparkling creek, arriving at a spectacular lake, nestled at the base of Unicorn Peak. Kids will want to explore the paths around the lake, and may even find a little snow at the eastern shore. The hike is 4.6 miles round trip, the trailhead is located at the Toulumne Meadows Campground. |
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Visitor
Center – The Visitor Center has exhibits about the plants and wildlife
in Tuolumne, a 3-D relief map of the meadows and mountains, and a good selection
of kids books and maps for sale. |
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Tuolumne Meadows Stables – Explore
the high country on horseback. The stable offers two hour, half day, and
full day rides. Kids need to be 7 years old and 44 inches tall. |
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Tenaya Lake – Tenaya Lake is a sparkling high
mountain lake, deep blue and icy cold. The eastern shore of Tenaya Lake
has a sandy beach where kids can wade and swim. Or, go out on the water in
an inflatable kayak or raft. Pitch your beach umbrella, spread out a picnic (there
are picnic tables) and spend the afternoon playing by the lake. |
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Olmsted Point – Stop at Olmsted Point for a gorgeous
view of that swirly, scooped-out granite mountain called Cloud Rest and
the back side of Half Dome. This is also a great spot to see slabs of rock
neatly polished by the glaciers, and huge boulders left in the aftermath. |
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Tuolumne Grove – Take a short hike (one mile each
way) through the giant sequoias to the "Tunnel Tree," a huge redwood
that was tunneled out in 1878. As you walk through the softly-shaded, carpeted
forest, light gently filters down through the tree branches high above –
it's simply magical. |
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Crane Flat Fire Lookout – From May to October,
visit an old fire lookout, perched on a flat mountaintop, with views of
Yosemite National Park in all direction. The lookout is no longer used to
spot fires, but you can go inside the lookout tower, still furnished with
maps, a woodstove, and comfy wooden chair on a rubber mat (grounded in case
of lightning). Today there's a helicopter landing pad and they'll be happy
to show you the high-altitude helicopters used for search and rescue teams
and fighting fires. From the parking lot, a footpath leads the lookout at
the top of the hill. |
