Mount Dana, Yosemite CA

• 5-star hike
• 5 mile out-and-back
• Hard | Gain 3,070 ft | Peak 13,053 ft
• Lee Vining, CA | Yosemite Region
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The image shows a scenic landscape featuring a lush green hillside covered with purple wildflowers. In the foreground, there is a large white rock surrounded by the flowers. The background consists of a dense forest of evergreen trees, and beyond that, there are rugged mountains with rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.

The image shows a scenic landscape featuring a lush green hillside covered with purple wildflowers. In the foreground, there is a large white rock surrounded by the flowers. The background consists of a dense forest of evergreen trees, and beyond that, there are rugged mountains with rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.

Yosemite views from the flanks of Mount Dana.

Situated on the Eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, you're unlikely to find the Mt. Dana Summit Trail on your National Park Service map. What you will find on this trail however, is a challenging trip up the second highest peak in Yosemite National Park which rewards with some of the best panoramic views you'll experience anywhere.

Located at the eastern entrance to Yosemite, the staff at the Tioga Pass ranger station will be happy to point out the unmarked trailhead for you. The trail quickly transports you away from the RV traffic of Route 120 and into an evergreen forest hiding lakes and wildflowers. After half a mile the trees thin out to nothing, so be sure to check the weather forecast with rangers before you set out, as it's just you and the elements all the way to the top.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ Summit Trail 4.9 mi out & back, hard, gain 3,070 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

The well defined trail gets you close to the peak before branching off in many directions. At this point you'll have the summit in your sights so you can take your pick of trails as you navigate your way upward over and around the rocky terrain. Expect your trail to disappear beneath the small boulders from time to time, forcing you to scramble your way up. Views on the way up are spectacular, but until you reach the summit you haven't seen the half of it!

Tackling three thousand feet in under three miles might seem like a daunting challenge, particularly compounded with the extreme elevation, but if you're acclimatized to the atmosphere and if you progress at a steady pace that you're comfortable with, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve. Be sure to understand the prevention and signs of altitude sickness before you set out on the trail.

A person hiking up a rocky slope. The individual is wearing a red long-sleeve shirt, beige pants, a white cap, and a backpack. They are using trekking poles to assist in climbing the uneven terrain. The background consists of a steep, rocky hillside under a clear blue sky.

A person hiking up a rocky slope. The individual is wearing a red long-sleeve shirt, beige pants, a white cap, and a backpack. They are using trekking poles to assist in climbing the uneven terrain. The background consists of a steep, rocky hillside under a clear blue sky.

Leg burning rocks and boulder navigation to the summit.

The image shows a panoramic view of a large, circular lake surrounded by a mountainous landscape. The lake has a bright blue color, and there are several small islands within it. The foreground features rugged, rocky terrain with a mix of brown and gray hues, indicating a high elevation. The background consists of a vast, flat plain extending to distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky.

The image shows a panoramic view of a large, circular lake surrounded by a mountainous landscape. The lake has a bright blue color, and there are several small islands within it. The foreground features rugged, rocky terrain with a mix of brown and gray hues, indicating a high elevation. The background consists of a vast, flat plain extending to distant mountain ranges under a clear blue sky.

Superb views of Mono Lake from the summit.

Tangents:
• Official: Yosemite National Park
• AllTrails Public: Mt Dana
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
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