Tioga Road is a scenic 45 mile drive that covers almost 4,000 feet of elevation change. It begins at Crane Flat, travels through Tuolumne Meadows, and then climbs over Tioga Pass. The road is open to vehicles from late May or June (weather permitting) until the first major snow storm after November 1. During this 1 1/2 hour drive, visitors pass through meadows and forests, lakes, and granite domes.
Day hikes from the Tioga Road are abundant. For backpackers, there are also numerous trailheads. Some trails provide one way trips into Yosemite Valley. Others, less traveled but no less scenic, head into the northern part of the park. These trails lead through forested areas, deep canyons, past lakes, and finally above the tree-line. In winter and early spring, the snow-covered Tioga Road serves as an ungroomed cross-country ski route for the adventurous and seasoned winter camper.
The third region is the @Hetch @Hetchy Reservoir, located in the northwest part of the park; it serves as the portal to many beautiful, but less-well-traveled areas in Yosemite. The Hetch Hetchy Road normally stays open year-round, and the reservoir itself lies at a relatively low 3,900 feet, making this a good area for spring and fall wilderness travel.
High temperatures prevail along the trail during the summer months, but this is a small price to pay for the breathtaking areas that can be reached from here. Several lakes and popular valleys are all located within 15 miles of the reservoir, and hikers may elect to begin longer trips at this point, either toward Tuolumne Meadows or the northernmost reaches of the park.
The fourth region contains @Wawona and Glacier Point. Historic Wawona, at 4,000 feet elevation, is located just inside the park's southern boundary on Highway 41. Because of its low elevation, trails from Wawona are accessible during the spring and fall, as well as during the summer. Here the lush open meadows, forests, and lakes which abound in Yosemite's less-frequented southern wilderness can be reached from numerous trailheads. The abundance of water in the spring makes this an attractive area for wilderness users.
Once under snow in winter, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is designated as a wilderness region, one where Nordic skiers and snow-shoers can obtain a permit to ski through and camp in the upper reaches of the Grove.
At an elevation of 7,200 feet, Glacier Point offers a spectacular view of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Yosemite Valley, and the Clark Range. It serves as the trailhead for many popular day hikes and provides access to the lesser-traveled wilderness areas in the southern portion of Yosemite.
Driving time from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point is about one hour. The Glacier Point Road is generally open from late May to late October, while in winter it serves as a groomed cross-country ski track starting from the Badger Pass ski area. Badger Pass, located 6 miles from the @Chinquapin turn-off on Highway 41, also serves as the trailhead for numerous marked cross-country ski trails. Wilderness permits for overnight wilderness travel from Badger Pass can be obtained from the Badger Pass A-Frame.
