The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne hike: one way or out & back

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

I currently have reservation in late June for hiking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (Yosemite). Our original plan was to hike in at Glen Aulin and exit at White Wolf. I am looking for people’s recommendations at stay the course or hike down to Pate Valley and back. The key issues seem to be transportation from White Wolf to Tuolumne. If we leave our car at White Wolf, the bus departure time is 9:35 am and YNP can’t guarantee a space on the bus. The risk of missing the bus is low but it will push back our start time. If we start and end at the Glen Aulin trailhead, we miss the section from Pate Valley to White Wolf. We have heard great things about the trail from Glen Aulin to Pate Valley but don’t know how much about Pate Valley to White Wolf. We are just looking for recommendations, best regards – Jon

[Bob Gross]

The customary trip starts near White Wolf or Lukens Lake, descends to Pate Valley, and then ascends to Glen Aulin and Tuolumne Meadows. Or, reverse direction.

Nobody hikes down to Pate Valley and back, from either direction.

Morrison Creek can be a nasty crossing if you get there in early season. A friend of mine tore up his knee there one year.

–B.G.–

[kevin winn]

Im doing this hike on june 18, anyone been out there recently? Is there any snow, how are the creek crossings?

Thanks

[Bob Gross]

I haven't been right along the route lately. I was down lower and looking up-canyon. I could see only the last traces of snow on the north side of a few peaks at 9500 feet and higher.

–B.G.–

[Elizabeth Tracy]

Just saw someone's trip report. The snowmelt/crossings are not an issue at all this year. Don't worry about it.

As for hiking one-way: Do it. It takes about 2 seconds to hitch a ride. Hanging around the parking lot, waiting for someone to leave, is sometimes an easier way to catch a ride than hitching right on the highway, but I've gotten rides either way.

– Elizabeth

[Kristin Tennessen]

I did GCotT over Memorial Weekend a few weeks ago. We went west to east. It snowed on us the first day but we descended enough during the day to camp on rock. The rest of the weekend was sunny and beautiful. None of the stream crossings were dangerous. We hitched a ride easily, but it was slow going because the couple wanted to stop at every overlook for a photo.

This was one of my top 5 favorite hikes I've ever done.

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