Yosemite – May Lake & Mt. Hoffmann Hike
To say the view from Mt. Hoffmann is spectacular is an understatement, because it’s not often that you look down onto Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome in a 6-mile hike. At the geographical center of the National Park, you also get 360-degree views with Yosemite stretching out in every direction. This reward is not easy to come by – there is a steep hike involved. But if you’re not in the mood for a serious challenge, but want to enjoy subalpine beauty, head to the first destination on this hike – May Lake. May Lake is a sparkling lake that reflects Mt. Hoffmann peak in the background. It also is a popular campground in Yosemite.
Note: I attempted this hike about a month after doing the Mt. Whitney Day Hike, so I knew I was physically prepared for this hike. For some reason (I don’t remember now), I wore tennis shoes instead of my hiking boots or even my lightweight trail shoes. I highly recommend that you do not follow my lead, but instead, wear shoes with grippy tread. Some grip and ankle support would have made the steeper sections much better.
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May Lake Hike
The hike to May Lake is a delightful 1.3 miles on a gentle incline. The higher elevation will ensure that you are breathing a little heavier, but this gives you an opportunity to deeply take in the fresh mountain air. I would recommend this hike to anyone, including those with children. The trail is wide and easy to follow all the way to May Lake.
The trail flattens out as you arrive at May Lake. If you arrive on a still morning, see if you can see the reflection of Mt. Hoffman in the water. You can have a picnic lakeside or explore more around the lake. Although I didn’t do it during my hike, you can continue down the length of the lake (away from the campsites) through two meadows and a slight descent into a valley. From this vantage point, you can see Cloud’s Rest, Half Dome, and the Cathedral Range. This detour will make the trip to May Lake worthwhile and adds 1.1 miles to make this hike 3.5 miles back to the parking lot.
If you are going to continue on to Mt. Hoffman, I recommend that you take a moment to fuel up – drink water, have a snack, use the pit toilets at the campground, and tie up your shoelaces. Maybe even to a few stretches here before embarking on the climb.
At a Glance:
- Rating: 3.5 (out of 4) stars, would go again, when in shape enough
- Intensity: Hiking shoes, athletic clothes, day pack, plenty of water
- Location: May Lake parking lot – near Olmsted Point
- Cost: National Park entry fee (consider getting an Annual Pass)
- Restrooms: At the park entrance, there are also some restrooms at the campground around May Lake
- Timing: 1.5 – 6 hours
- Distance: 2.5 miles to May Lake, 6 miles to Mt. Hoffmann
Highlights:
- It is a lovely gentle hike to get to May Lake
- The backdrop of May lake is Mt. Hoffmann’s granite peak
- Mt. Hoffmann peak offers 360-degree views of Yosemite, looking down on Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome as well as the backcountry
- The geographic center of Yosemite National Park
Lowlights
- The Mt. Hoffman hike is steep and you will be climbing nearly the entire route
- There is a bit of scrambling is required to reach Mt. Hoffmann’s peak
Mt. Hoffmann Hike
To continue on to Mt. Hoffman, make your way to the top of the lake. Near the pit toilets, there will be a path (and a sign, I believe) to follow around one side of the lake. It is a well-used and obvious path that quickly takes you away from the lake through a small ravine. There will be a section of trees, where you should enjoy the shade and any flat sections you come across. As you reach a ledge, you’ll have a view of the surrounding area. Continue on switchbacks until you reach the tree line.
When you come out of the trees, you will reach a talus and boulder field. This is where things get confusing and I definitely lost the trail a couple of times. There will be cairns that people have left that may or may not be the easiest way. If you see two towers with vegetation, head left of the leftmost tower along a rocky path. Don’t panic if you feel like you’re on the wrong trail. You’ll be able to find it once you’re on the open slope again. This is also the case for a large boulder field with various paths. Continue heading uphill in a northwest manner through sparse thickets of pine. For specific directions, head over to this blog post by Modern Hiker.
Finally, you will reach the final ascent across an open area to Mt. Hoffmann. It will be exciting to know your grueling climb will be over soon. Though it may be tempting to explore the saddle, I recommend doing the peak itself first. Stick to the well-defined sandy path toward the peak with an antenna.
Exploring the Summit
Catch your breath at altitude before attempting the scramble to the top of the summit blog. I didn’t realize I was doing a “Class 2” scramble before embarking on this hike. If this terminology intimidates you, channel your inner tree-climbing child to help you. Slow down and look for an easy route. I made it to the top of the summit block but didn’t bother going into more challenging territory. The view from the top is absolutely incredible with Yosemite in every direction. You’ve seen most of the front country while taking breaks during your hike up, but now you’ve got access to a 360-degree view including the backcountry and most of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. You did it!
What you cannot see from the summit is May Lake! Hah! Due to the wide saddle shape of the peak, you cannot see May Lake below. For this reason, I decided to exhaust myself further and venture over to the second saddle and do more scrambling. When you finally get a view down, May Lake feels like it is directly under your feet. My favorite pictures are from this vantage point, but this is not the true summit to Mt. Hoffmann. No one is silly enough to expend extra energy to scramble this second point, so I had it to myself.
Honestly, I didn’t get as many photos as usual because I did this hike solo. This is also why I lost the trail a few times – usually, I have a hiking partner to help think through possible routes. When I’m solo, I tend to rush through things a little quicker and not stop as often. I would definitely like to do this trail again and slow down to savor the views.
The Return Trip
The confusion of the trail up is greatly reduced on the way down. Not only is it easier to see the appropriate route from a high vantage point, but you’ll also have a better idea of which direction you should head. Careful on the sandy or rocky sections where it is easier to slip on the downhill. If you don’t use poles, you’ll start to feel the steep descent in your knees about halfway to three-quarters of the way down.
Getting to May Lake is a huge relief. Not only is it a flat trail, but it also is softer than the granite, talus, and rocks of the higher up trail. You’ll also know you only have a little over a mile to the car! I noticed that the wind picked up and created ripples across the lake when I returned. It didn’t have that glossy reflection from the morning. Good thing I captured it earlier in the day!
Get to the Trailhead
From Highway 120, there is a somewhat paved two-mile road to a small parking lot. Here you will easily see the trailhead for May Lake and Mt. Hoffman. Highway 120/Tioga Road closes each winter, so double-check this website before going to ensure the roads you’ll use to get there are open for the season. Being in the high country, you may encounter snow and mud if you go right when the road opens. Check conditions before you go.
Other Activities in Tuolumne Meadows
If you’re already in the high country, consider bopping around to explore the area. Here are some things we try to do when we go:
- Explore the meadows of Tuolumne Meadows and climb Pothole Dome
- Go swimming or relax at Tenaya Lake
- Take in the view of Half Dome from Olmsted Point
- Another midsized hike: Cathedral Lakes
Or you’re welcome to check out some things to do in the Yosemite Valley:
- Raft the Merced River in the Yosemite Valley
- Rent or bring bikes to ride around the Yosemite Valley
- Walk over to the bottom of Yosemite Falls
- Hike to the bottom (or top) of Vernal Falls
- Hike to Inspiration Point at sunrise or sunset
- Glacier Point Road – Hike the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Loop
- Glacier Point Road – Hike to Illilouette Falls
Overall Thoughts: May Lake & Mt. Hoffmann Hike
Though I was physically prepared for a long hike, the Mt. Hoffman ascent challenged my route-finding and scrambling abilities at high altitude. The entire trail is incredibly scenic, but also a grueling consistent climb. But with high effort, comes high reward. The 360-degree views from the peak and vantage of May Lake from the second peak are phenomenal. If you’re not prepared to take on this challenge, a simple hike to May Lake might be the more rewarding option. With the additional views on the lower shelf, this also sounds like a lovely way to spend your day in Yosemite’s high country.
The May Lake and Mt. Hoffman Hike is closer to Tuolumne Meadows than the Yosemite Valley. What is your favorite thing to do in Tuolumne Meadows? I love the area because it is typically far less crowded than the Yosemite Valley with a more relaxed, discovery pace. Let me and other travelers know in the comments what I should look forward to in the future!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
