This family friendly 2.5 mile loop hike, heads up to the granite top of Pot Hole Dome and then down to the Tuolumne River and through the western edge of Tuolumne Meadows. High potential of wildlife viewing.
TO TRAILHEAD: HWY 120 E into Yosemite, turn L on Tioga Rd Hwy 120E 39 miles to Tuolumne Meadows, Trailhead is on the left hand side as you enter Tuolumne.
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
28-AUG-09
Distance: 2.38 mi
Points: 419
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Points of Interest
PHD009
Location: 37.877487, -119.390373
R @ Y. Return to trail at the base of the dome and retrace route back to trailhead.
PHD003
Location: 37.877316, -119.391594
L at use trail up to dome. Many narrow use trails cut through the trees at the base of the dome. Cut through and climb the moderate granite slopes Northwest towards the summit. Look back on your way up for spectacur views of Tuolumne Meadows.
PHD005
Location: 37.880718, -119.388741
L @ trail. Connect with the trail at the base of the dome and head L (north). Watch for numerous deer among the trees. Follow the level, dirt trail under a canopy of pines.
PHD001
Location: 37.876865, -119.394539
Trailhead. Park in small lot along the Tioga Road. The large granite dome to the North is Pothole Dome. The meadow between the road and dome is closed to foot traffic. Access the dome via the trail to the west. Head out on the trail that skirts the meadow and takes you to the Dome.
PHD007
Location: 37.884083, -119.387169
R at Trail. Narrow trail quickly opens up to meadow and the Tuolumne River. Many more deer in the area.
PHD006
Location: 37.884022, -119.388634
The trail opens up and turns towards the east. Cut Right at burned out tree and pickup use trail in .1 miles.
PHD002
Location: 37.878284, -119.394936
Path bears right at the trees and base of the dome. You can begin scrambling up the dome anywhere, but better access points are further east.
PHD004
Location: 37.880589, -119.393829
Pothole Dome Summit (8770'). Look around and take in the numerous mountain ranges surrounding the dome and Tuolumne Meadows. Cathedral Peak, Unicorn Peak, Mt. Dana, Mt. Gibbs, Ragged Peak, White Mountain, Gaylor Peak, Tuolumne Peak, etc.
Head down in a westerly direction towards the meadow. No trail or cairns in the area. Your goal is to connect back with the trail at the base of the meadow.
PHD008
Location: 37.883705, -119.386459
Pebble beach on the Tuolumne River. Nice spot for a cliff bar, or picnic lunch.
Continue on the trail south among the meadow and trees. Even more deer.
Pot Hole Dome
Location: 37.877056, -119.394623
Meadow Trail at the base of the dome
Location: 37.877262, -119.394814
easy trail
Location: 37.877602, -119.393951
Tuolumne Meadows
Location: 37.877098, -119.391922
Up the dome.
Location: 37.877743, -119.391953
Route to the top.
Location: 37.878399, -119.392319
Toulumne from the top
Location: 37.878227, -119.392052
Cathedral Peak
Location: 37.880138, -119.393845
Lembert Dome and Mt. Dana
Location: 37.880291, -119.393684
Tuolumne
Location: 37.880596, -119.392708
The Tuolumne River winds through Tuolumne Meadows
Erratics
Location: 37.879372, -119.393486
Erratic boulders are scattered along the dome. Cathedral Peak and Unicorn Peak in the background.
Wooded Trail
Location: 37.880783, -119.388542
The route down
Location: 37.880859, -119.390549
Buck in the Woods
Location: 37.880936, -119.388344
Turn R at this Tree
Location: 37.884129, -119.388680
This is the burned out tree that is the signal to head right and connect with an unmarked trail to get to the Tuolumne River.
Tuolumne River
Location: 37.883789, -119.386375
Doe crossing the river
Location: 37.883812, -119.386497
Family time
Location: 37.883495, -119.386887
Faun in the grass
Location: 37.883167, -119.386871
A Couple Bucks
Location: 37.878139, -119.389641
The route back to the trailhead
Location: 37.877907, -119.389877
Herd of Bucks
Location: 37.878281, -119.389542
This was a small part of a larger herd of 18 Bucks and 1 Doe.
Beneath Cathedral Peak
Location: 37.877800, -119.389793
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