Hi, I'm going to Yosemithe Valley in late April/early May for climbing (of course). But I can't climb every day and I also really like hiking and mountaineering. I was wondering if there are any nice non-technical peaks near the valley that gives a good rest-day hike?
Hey Kristian - We didn't have a winter this year so snow/ice is of no concern. If the Tioga Road is open, it's another story, but assuming you are heading up from the Valley:
- Sierra Point is a worthwhile jaunt from the start of the Mist Trail. Or head up further, take the gully between Mt. Broderick and Liberty Cap. Scramble up Liberty Cap from the back, or take the Snake Dike approach to the Diving Board.
- 4 mile trail to the south is okay, better yet catch a bus or thumb up to Glacier Point & head over to the Starr King Domes. Only the big one is technical; the view from the northernmost dome is real cool. For a longer day, walk back down the the valley.
- Like the Mist Trail, the Yosemite Falls trail is tourist hell, but you have a few options once you get up there - Yosemite Point, Eagle Peak or stretch it out and tell folks you climbed El Capitan.
- Sunnyside Bench up to the base of the Upper Falls.
- You could also follow the old trail or cable path up Indian Canyon to get to the North Rim.
- Snow Creek trail to the top of the falls or past that to Mt Watkins.
Off the top of my head, a few dumb things I've done before.
Mt. Hoffman near May Lake in Tuolumne is one of the finest views in the national park . It's a pretty easy hike ... Mt. Dana is also very doable and nice .
There are no 14,000 foot peaks in Yosemite. The two tallest in the area are Mt. Lyell (very difficult as a day hike) and Mt. Dana, which is a 13,000' peak with a trail to the top. Mt. Dana is a stout half-day hike on a trail that starts from the Tioga Pass entrance station.
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