Early May Yosemite Day Hikes?

This year I’d bet that the road to Tuolumne Meadows will still be closed in early may. That leaves the Valley, more or less.

I think that the climb to the top of Yosemite Falls is just spectacular as a day hike–maybe one of the best on this continent. If snow is an issue, Kahtoola micro spikes should easily overcome that. Ice fall on a short section of that trail should be watched for. The big trick is to start early–when its still dark or just after. Then you have the trail going up to yourself. Microspikes should handle icy stretches. There’s nothing technical about the climb. But it’s steep and might take longer than you’d expect.

Nevada Falls is another wonderful hike–again (it can’t be stressed enough) start early and you’ll have the place to yourself going up. The mist falls is great for ascending; then the JMT coming down for variety and dry rock for the downhills. From the top of Nevada Falls you could wander up into Little Yosemite Valley. Some people climb to half dome from here. This makes for a brutal day hike. the cables will be down. there may well be snow on the route. It’s mostly in the trees. Personally, I’d rather continue on through LYV towards Moraine dome to avoid snow and get better views–certainly for photography, because the Merced and the cascades coming off the walls of the canyons in this area, plus waterfowl and early flowers, would make for better photos. You could also continue on from the top of Nevada Falls and complete the loop that goes to Glacier Point and then back to the Valley. Snow again may be an issue here. Great panoramic photos though. Not an easy day hike.

the Snow Creek trail isn’t well known and is worth exploring as well.

The Glacier Point Road should also be open so that lets you do Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, and Dewey Point–spectacular views from all three.

Hetch-hetchy to Wapama Falls is another nice hike

And don’t overlook hiking out on the trails in the meadows of Yosemite Valley itself. It’s amazing how alone you can get out there.

We have a whole list of our favorite hikes in Yosemite on our website: backpackthesierra.com.

Thanks so much y’all! I was in Yosemite when I finished the JMT (obviously we did it south to north) in August 2011. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to do much of anything after the trail. Excited to go in a different time of year, when it’s hopefully less crowded and definitely cooler in the Valley :)

@balzaccom – really great site you have there! Pretty sure I have come across it before!

Don’t count on Glacier Pt Rd being open early May this year.  It didn’t open till late May in 2011 and 2010 which had lighter snow than this year (see https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.htm ).

A good 14 miler is from the Lodge (shuttle stop 7), up four mile trail, then across the Panorama trail and down the falls trail to Happy Isles (with a shuttle return to stop 7).  There’s lot’s more ideas on the Yosemite specific forums, especially yosemitenews.info (balzaccom is one of the regulars).

@djayers Wow that does look like an amazing hike! Thank you! Checking out yosemitenews now :)