BEST Yosemite Day Hike: MAY LAKE
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Yosemite National Park MAY LAKE Hike
While visiting Yosemite National Park, we searched for short easy hikes. The goal was minimum hiking with maximum beauty. We hoped this hike would be easy, but we discovered it was a moderate hike for Phil who has chronic knee pain. Thankfully Phil was able to push through for the reward of a peaceful place to relax with maximum beauty!
MAY LAKE Location
May Lake is located off Tioga Road between Porcupine Flat and Olmsted Point. To get to the trailhead, turn down May Lake Road which starts paved and turns to a gravel one lane road. When you arrive at the parking lot, you will find two trailheads. The May Lake trail is the one by the vault toilets. This hike is unavailable when Tioga Road is closed for the winter.
MAY LAKE hike
The May Lake hike begins as packed dirt that weaves through pine trees and turns into a rocky climb up with steep grades. At the peak of the hike, you will find crystal clear water at the base of a beautiful mountain. It was the most peaceful place we explored at Yosemite.
See the trail in the video below!
MAY LAKE Hike Description
Length: 1.2 mi / 2.4 mi round trip
Average time: 1-2 hours/ 2-4 hours round trip
Elevation Change: 500 ft
Yosemite Trail Rating: Moderate
Phil’s Trail Rating: Moderate with steep grades, 3 knees
Phil is due for a knee replacement so, he is rated the hike based on his pain scale. 1 knee is easiest and 5 knees are the most difficult. The reality is he should avoid 3 knees and above.
MAY LAKE recommendations
Bring a backpack full of our favorite charcuterie. It is a lovely place for a picnic. Plan to spend time relaxing along the bank of May Lake. It’s an excellent place for a nap!
Enjoy the hike!
Don’t miss our Yosemite hikes
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