Lukens Lake

Overview: Lukens Lake is a short walk to a lake that explodes into fields of wildflowers in-season. It's the perfect length for a quick leg-stretch after, or before, a long time in the car and is a great excursion for small hikers who want to explore their Yosemite. Lukens Lake isn't your "typical" Yosemite trip of soaring peaks and expansive views but it's beautiful and rewarding in its own way.

There are two routes to Lukens Lake, one from White Wolf, and this shorter route directly off the Tioga Road. There is a large parking area and bear boxes at the south side of the road, while the trailhead itself is across the highway (the north side) from the west end of the parking area You wind upwards through the forest for the first half-mile to a small saddle and then drop until the forest opens up a bit to a broad soggy meadow that is full of wildflowers by early August. The trail stays just at the edge of the forest and the meadow, and later the lake (this guide's track ends at a decent picnic spot but there are more spots around the south and west sides of the lake.

Tips: It's a gentle up but it is all up at first -- if you're fresh to Yosemite from sea level be prepared; the altitude can make you wonder how such a gentle grade feels tough.

The trailhead and parking lot are not well-marked, but are just a mile or so down the road from White Wolf proper.This is the shortest way to the lake, but you can also hike there from White Wolf itself.

With meadows and wildflowers come mosquitos - July and early August everything is green and wet and the bugs are out in force. Be prepared with protective clothing and insect repellent.