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Stunning views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Cathedral Rocks without the crowds of Tunnel View.


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Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

Point to Point

5,269' 1,606 m

High

4,926' 1,501 m

Low

353' 108 m

Up

31' 9 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly A relatively gentle grade and well-maintained path to views that the whole family will appreciate.

The trail is closed when Highway 41 is closed between Yosemite Valley and Wawona, which can happen in the winter and spring depending on the weather.

Description

The Turtleback Dome Trail is located on the Wawona Road roughly 4 miles from the Bridalveil Falls parking lot. The trail is on the east side of the road where there is parking for a couple of cars, depending on how people park. Additional parking can be found along Wawona Road in the pullouts found there.

The trail departs Highway 41 as a dirt road and passes a gate that prevents people from driving up to the summit. After passing the gate, the trail transforms to a concrete road that runs all the way to the weather station and provides access for workers. The trail runs parallel to Highway 41 (Wawona Road) for roughly a tenth of a mile before curving to the left and beginning a steady climb uphill. Wildflowers bloom along the road on the left. There are dead trees on the right hand side of the trail due to a fire that moved through the area. The trail is shaded by trees at this point as it winds its way uphill. The dome begins to rise above the trail on the left as it moves through the woods. At roughly .4 miles, the trail cuts back to the left and climbs gently around the hilltop.

At this point, the weather monitoring station comes into view. As you approach the station, views of El Portal to the west come into view. As you approach the weather station, the trail goes off to the left toward a large glacial erratic that sits off to the side. The trail becomes a narrow, dirt singletrack as it cuts to the right side of the rock. The trail continues out to another weather monitoring station that sits further out on the dome.

Going past this second station, the best views from Turtleback Dome spread out before you. To the east, El Capitan and Half Dome rise above Yosemite Valley. While the view doesn't include Bridalveil Falls like Tunnel View, it offers a view similar to Half Dome View without the crowds. Working around to the west, Tamarack Falls, Cascade Falls and Wildcat Falls work their way down toward the Merced River. You can see the damage of the Foresta Fire on the hilltops that line Highway 120. Off to the west, sweeping views of the hills around El Portal come into view. Glacial erratics sit on the dome year after year, some seemingly perched there ready to slide off at any point. Once you've taken in the view, follow the trail back to your car.

While the view may not be unique, it offers you the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of El Capitan and Half Dome without the crowds.

Flora & Fauna

Deer, rabbits, squirrels can be seen along the trail. Wildflowers bloom along the trail in the spring.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#14968

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1,546

in California

#14,968

Overall
17 Views Last Month
1,758 Since May 26, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

A glacial erratic with El Capitan and Half Dome in the background.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The trail approaches the first set of weather stations on top of Turtleback Dome.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
A view to the west from the top of Turtleback Dome.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
A view showing the forest recovering after the Foresta Fire.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
The trail breaks off to the right of the weather station and passes on the right side of this rock.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Wildcat Falls and The Cascades as seen from Turtleback Dome.
May 26, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA

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