A day hiking trail climbing Mount Dana, the second highest peak in Yosemite, which is higher than Mount Fuji. [Can you die without walking? Trip to American National Parks (38)]
Written by Sayaka Kato
This time, we will introduce mountain climbing courses in the same area, following the previous East Sierra Nevada.
Mount Dana is 3,981 meters tallest mountain in Yosemite National Park. This trail starts along Tioga Road on the east side of the park.
Mount Dana is the highest peak in Yosemite National Park.
It is one of the most popular trails because it is a hiking trail that can be a day hike, and the trail starts just after entering the east gate.
It is a mountain with an altitude of 3,981 m (13,061 feet) higher than Mount Fuji, and is a solid course, including the slope, making it a level suitable for intermediate and above.
This trail is perfect for those with good legs and those who want to walk around Yosemite thoroughly.
★Trail along Tioga Road (road leading to the east entrance)
There are five entrance gates to Yosemite Park, three on the west side, one on the south side, and one on the east side, so you will need an entrance fee (park entrance fee) regardless of which entrance you enter.
If you are coming from San Francisco, use the west entrance to enter the park.
When it comes to sightseeing in Yosemite Park within a limited time, it is necessary to narrow down the location, and most people who are visiting Yosemite for the first time are probably going to spend their time sightseeing in an area known as the Yosemite Valley. Many tourists visit the Yosemite Valley valley as a place to relax, as well as spots for spectacular views, cafes and souvenir shops.
However, for those who are hiking at Yosemite Park, a must-see is the mountains and trails that stretch along the road east of Yosemite Park, known as Tioga Pass Road 120. (The purple line on the Tioga pass map below)
Tioga Road is famous for its historical and stunning views, and is also used when traveling south along the town of Levining, located at the back of the east gate of Yosemite, and the Panorama Road (Rout 395) on the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the town of Lone Pine.
This is the Sierra Nevada that famous hikers dream of! This road offers spectacular views that make it clear. There are many beautiful mountains and lakes in the area, including Mammoth Lakes and Mono Lake, outside Yosemite Park on the east side, and many people enjoy outdoor life in the great outdoors of this place in the summer as an outdoor mecca for those who enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and more.
Tioga Road is a road that passes through the highlands of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which is over 3,000 meters above sea level (9,943 ft), so it is a road that has a lot of snowfall in winter and is open only in the summer. The period may vary slightly depending on the snowfall that year, but it is a limited-time road that can be opened from around the end of October after the snow melts. (You must check the official website at any time.)
There are also many spectacular viewpoints along the Tioga Pass, so you can stop at a viewpoint or something to enjoy the view while driving.
Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, Lembert Dome: and more
table of contents
Mount Dana hiking information (photo taken in August 2022)
Access (car to the trailhead)
Trailhead Address: Enter Yosemite Entrance Gate Tioga Pass
*As the signal conditions are poor, we recommend downloading the map in advance.
What to bring
As before, make sure to prepare the same equipment as a typical American hike.
- Drinks (a lot in summer, about 2 liters)
- Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
Trail data
- For intermediate to advanced users
- Season: The best seasons are from May to October (depending on the snowfall that year)
- Trailhead elevation: Approx. 3031m (9,945 ft)
- Round trip: Approx. 11.2km (7.0 mi)
- Height difference: Approx. 946m (3,103 ft)
- Course time: Round trip time 5 to 7 hours (including breaks)
Hiking departure from the trailhead (trailhead)
Head towards Yosemite Valley towards the gate on the east side, and there is a parking lot on the left before the gate. Park the car there.
I arrived around 11am but there was plenty of room for the car. (This may be because this period was August 2022, when admission permission was required, and the number of visitors to the park was limited.)
Behind the car park, you can see the Mount Dana you are about to climb. The trailhead also starts across the road from the parking lot.
We finally left after 11am.
Five minutes after walking, you will first see a small lake.
At first it's a fairly flat, easy road. After that, there is another small lake, and we continue through meadows and other places.
The greenery is beautiful and lush, making it a very comfortable space while walking around.
It may have been a little late, but in some places, the alpine plants and flowers were still blooming, and they were very beautiful.
If it had come a little earlier it would have bloomed more.
We continue further, looking at these beautiful mountains.
The slope begins little by little around 30 minutes from the start and the switchback begins.
About 1.5 hours after the start, we arrived at a flat, open area about 2.5km (1.5 miles). This is roughly half the route. There is a good view and it is a place to bring for a break.
Take a break here.
After this, the steep slope begins, so before that, I take a snack, drink some hydration and take a break.
The scenery and weather are amazing, but the wind is strong and cold so the windproof shell was helpful.
It's a refreshing view wherever you look.
Looking up, you can see Mount Dana in the back. From here, you'll go up there.
There are colognes that can be seen everywhere on the trail. Even when it's difficult to find the trail, you'll be fine as long as you follow this cologne.
After a break, we set off again for Mount Dana, located in the back.
This is where I can work hard. The swift slope switchback begins. It's a rocky road, and it's difficult to find the trails in some places, but follow the landmark Cologne and head towards the top of Mount Dana.
The forest limit has passed, and the oxygen is becoming thinner and thinner. I walk slowly and take frequent breaks and move up and up.
We climbed a rather pleasant slope while watching the beautiful surroundings, and finally arrived at the summit about three hours after the start.
The second half of this trail is definitely the best thing to do. The very last one is tough. I'll use my strength in the last hour.
I was impressed by the 360-degree view from the summit.
You can see that big monolake right in front of you.
Seeing the majestic scenery of Dana Meadows and Tioga Peak makes you feel a sense of accomplishment.
As it is the highest level, the distance is short, but the slope and altitude require a considerable amount of physical strength, but it is a very scenic and worth climbing trail.
After the break, the return journey will be down the path again.
This is on the east side of Yosemite National Park, and the closest town from here is Levining, and you can arrive in about 30 minutes after exiting the east gate.
Levining has accommodations, campsites and RV parks, so if you need accommodation, it's convenient and convenient to use it.
From here, it is nearly 80 miles to Yosemite Valley, and it takes about two hours to drive, so if you're hiking Mount Dana or the last Twenty Lakes Basin Loop Trail you can travel less and save time by using accommodations on the east side.
Incidentally, I used the RV park in Levinning at the time. It's a very convenient location just in front of Mono Lake.
Why not take a hike next time in California's proud Eastern Sierra Nevada?
Kato Sayaka
Leave your California hiking and travel plans, including Yosemite National Park. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.
