Glen Aulin - May Lake Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Lake · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The reverse of this trail, starting at May Lake and finishing at Glen Aulin, is a great fast (read as: LONG downhill) journey and one of the typical starts for running the High Sierra Camp Loop.

The well marked trail to May Lake branches off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) at a point near White Cascades, the waterfall next to the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. Prepare for the long uphill by filling your water bottles there, at McGee Lake or one of the small creeks further up the trail (which may be dry depending on the season)

After filling up on water, enjoy the gradual climb along a small creek to McGee Lake. The lake is a quaint spot for a short respite, as long as the mosquitos aren't swarming. Continuing up, passing under the East Face of Tuolumne Peak, visitors will follow the trail to the intersection of the Murphy Creek Trail and then the Ten Lakes Trail/ Tuolumne Peak Trail.

Shortly thereafter, the trees thin out and the trail follows granite slabs up to the ridge above May Lake. Don't miss out on the perfectly placed Raisin Lake, called by many the "warmest" lake in the high country. This is a perfect place to rest up for the steep final push up to May Lake. Grand views of Tenaya Canyon, Mount Clark and beyond can be had from this section and from the ridge directly above the High Sierra Camp.

Scattered various wildflowers along the trail, various pines.