Tuolumne River Loop - Dana and Lyell Forks

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Tuolumne River Loop - Dana and Lyell Forks

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 4.0 miles / 6.4 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: Dana and Lyell Forks of Tuolumne River merge into the river somewhere near the Tuolumne Meadows campground. This easy and flat hike take you to encircle the area and enjoy surrounding scenic views of Lyell Canyon and Lembert Dome. To start the hike, park you car in the Dog Lake parking lot on Tuolumne Medaows Lodge Road and locate the JMT trail head just across the road. Following the trail signs, you first cross Dana Fork and then Lyell Fork, hike along the river westward to the Tuolumne Meadows campground, cross the river again on Tioga Road and hike along the river eastward back to the parking lot.

Tips: Remove all food in the car and deposit them in the lockers of the parking lot.

Points of Interest

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JMT Trail Head

The trail head is located on Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Road near the Dog Lake parking lot. Follow John Muir Trail for 0.3 miles until you meet the foot bridge over Dana Fork. Before the hike, make sure you remove all food in the car and deposit them in the lockers at the Dog Lake parking lot.

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Bridge over Dana Fork

Cross the brige over Dana Fork and continue hiking 0.1 miles until you meet the next trail junction.

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Trail Junction

At the junction, continue hiking straight for 0.5 miles until you meet the bridge over Lyell Fork.

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Bridge over Lyell Fork

Cross the bridges over Lyell Fork and continue hiking 0.1 miles until you meet the next junction.

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Trail Junction

At the junction, bear RIGHT for Tuolumne Meadows Campground and continue hiking for 0.8 miles until the next trail junction.

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Trail Junction

At the junction, go STRAIGHT for Tuolumne Meadows Campground and continue hiking for 0.2 miles until you reach the campground.

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Tuolumne Meadows Campground

After arriving at the campground, head for the entry and go for the bridge on Tioga Road.

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Bridge on Tioga Road

After crossing the Tuolumne River bridge on Tioga Road, continue hiking the trail along the river eastward until you pass Puppy Dome on your left. From the dome, hike for the ranger station in the north. There might be no clear trail after Puppy Dome so be sure to keep the ranger station within your sight.