Ditch the crowds in Yosemite Valley and take Tioga pass to Tuolumne.
Let’s face it, Yosemite Valley can feel like Disneyland in the summer and no one wants to be with screaming children and bus loads of tourists in the wilderness.
Tuolumne, at 1,500 ft higher elevation than the valley, is both less crowded and cooler in temperature than Yosemite Valley.
Things to do in Tuolumne
1. Hike to the top of Lembert Dome
There are 39 granite domes in Yosemite, with Half Dome being the most well-known.
Lembert Dome is an easy ~3 mile hike and a nice way to warm up your legs.
2. Walk around Dog Lake
Just a short hike from Lembert Dome, Dog Lake is a great place to chill and swim!
I’d recommend packing lunch and eating along the lake :)
3. Explore Soda Springs
Take a short late-afternoon hike to Soda Springs - a mineral spring with bubbling water. You will want to drink the water but sadly you cannot ;)
We liked all the informational plaques on the way to Soda Springs which gave good history on the area.
4. Backpack to Sunrise Lakes Camp
This hike starts from Tenaya Lake and was no joke - especially the first couple miles of switchbacks.
You’ll be very happy to drop off your backpack and set up camp at the campsite (which is beautiful by the way).
5. Swim at Sunrise Lakes
There are 3 lakes that make up sunrise lakes and you can swim in all of them. It felt pretty incredible after carrying our backpacks so many miles in the heat.
6. Hike Cloud’s Rest
This was the highlight of our trip - the view from Clouds Rest was like nothing I’ve ever seen.
At 9,931 feet, you can see Half Dome and all of Yosemite Valley. The coolest part is that you don’t see any of this view until you reach the very top.
7. Rest your legs & swim at Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake marks the end of your hike. To not swim in this lake after that hiking Cloud’s Rest would be a major mistake - it was so refreshing and enjoyable!
Pro Tip: Leave a couple beers in a cooler and snacks in your car so that you can enjoy chillin at the lake even more!