Smith Peak – Yosemite

[Chris S]

EDIT: I have also added this trip report to my website: https://sites.google.com/site/bigtimetravels/trip-reports/2011/yosemite-smith-peak.

On Saturday, July 2nd we headed to Yosemite for a quick overnighter to Smith Peak near Hetch Hetchy. We started at the Mather Ranger Station trailhead and made our way to Smith Peak via a clockwise loop. First stop was Lookout Point with views of Hetch Hetchy, Tueeulala Falls and Wapama Falls.

Some wildflowers along the trail.

Views to the North and East from Smith Peak. Elevation was just under 7800 feet and we only noticed one little patch of snow up there. Much more snow on the peaks in the distance.

We considered camping up on Smith Peak, but before we headed up someone told us there were a few groups already up there so we found a spot near Smith Meadow. The Tarptent Rainshadow2 that I bought on gear swap arrived the day we left so we decided to try it out.

Smith Meadow

The hike out

Apparently this is not a heavily used trail and it was a bit overgrown in some sections.

[Bob Gross]

That looks good. Did you see any good wildlife?

In the fourth photo, it is a little hard for me to tell which way you were facing. Is that Tower Peak out there on the park boundary?

–B.G.–

[Chris S]

Unfortunately, not much wildlife. I think one deer and a tiny mouse was the extent of it. I'm pretty sure I was facing the direction of Tower Peak when I took that photo, but not positive.

[Brandon G]

I plan on doing Cottonwood/Mather to Smith Peak this upcoming weekend with a few friends. Was wondering if there was any high water in the region or extreme mud and if you had any comments or suggestions for us (don't misses etc)? Thanks!

[Chris S]

I didn't see any dangerously high water or extreme mud. At one stream crossing the water was up to my knees, but it was hardly moving, so only a minor inconvenience. Probably could've crossed without getting wet at all if I bothered to look around. I think that stream was near the southern end of Smith Meadow.

The only "don't miss" would be Smith Peak itself. Some nice camping spots up there, but not sure if it normally gets crowded. There were a bunch of people camped up there when I was there (and more heading up as we were hiking back down), but it was a holiday weekend. Lookout Point was pretty nice as well.

[Author]

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