Do You Need To Hike To Tunnel View?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The larger parking area is

on the right side of the road just before the tunnel

. From the south entrance of the park, drive 24.5 miles north on Highway 41. Once you pass through the Wawona tunnel, you will see the parking areas on both sides of the road. The parking lots can be crowded on summer weekends.

Can you visit Yosemite without hiking?

The route to Lower Yosemite Falls is easy and accessible for wheelchairs or if you travel to Yosemite with children. If you want to catch a view of this magnificent waterfall without any hike,

the Yosemite Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge are good spots

.

Where do I park for Tunnel View Yosemite?

Find it just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. No hiking is required, you simply park at

one of the lots and make your way to the vista

. This spot can be very popular in summer, so try to arrive early.

What can I see from Tunnel View Yosemite?

Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. From here you can see

El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising

from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41).

Can you drive to Glacier Point?

When open,

you can drive to Glacier Point by traveling on the Wawona Road (the continuation of Highway 41 within the park)

—either north from Wawona or south from Yosemite Valley. After traveling about 13 miles, turn on to the Glacier Point Road at the Chinquapin intersection.

Is Tunnel View open in winter?

Tunnel View is that one famous snapshot that we’ve all seen before and

it is indeed open in winter

. When leaving Yosemite Valley, take Wawona Road past Bridalveil Falls for the second-best view to Glacier Point.

Is Tenaya Lake open?

With Highway 120/Tioga Pass Road running along it’s north shore, Tenaya Lake is incredibly accessible when the seasonal road is open,

typically from May through October

.

Is road to Glacier Point open?


Tioga and Glacier Point Roads are closed

.

Why is it called Tunnel View?


The parking lot has limited spots on both sides of the road and is located just before the road enters Wawona Tunnel

(hence the name “tunnel view”).

How long is Yosemite tunnel?

It is the longest highway tunnel in California at 4,233 feet (1,290 m) long, or

0.8 miles long

, and was once the largest tunnel for vehicles in the west.

Can you see Sentinel Dome from Tunnel View?

Sentinel Dome from the Tunnel View. Sentinel Dome is hard to spot from the Glacier Point Road area, except in a few brief glimpses, but

it is visible from the Tunnel View

– it’s the little dome poking into the sky at the rear left of this photo.

Can you drive your own car in Yosemite?

Can I drive my own vehicle into the park?

You can drive your own vehicle into and around Yosemite

. Shuttle buses are not mandatory, but are recommended (except in 2021, when they are not available).

Can you see Yosemite by car?

All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.

Can you drive through Yosemite in a day?


You can definitely visit Yosemite in a day

. A day trip gives you enough time to tour Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point Road, seeing some of the most popular attractions in the park.

Can you drive to the top of El Capitan?

The Old Big Oak Flat Trailhead is located along Big Oak Flat Road, some 3.7 miles west of the junction with El Portal Road and Yosemite Valley. Once you get to the trailhead, you’ll pick up the path that takes you to the top of El Capitan over approximately 16.4 miles, round trip.

Can you see El Capitan in winter?

Yosemite Valley roads normally remain open, making

driving to Yosemite in winter relatively easy to view Yosemite’s major icons, like Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls

. However snow fun is close at hand. Enjoy world-class snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Badger Pass Ski Area.

How do you hike to Glacier Point?


Take the Four Mile Trail from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point, then go down the Panorama Trail

. It’s about 13 miles in total. For those who are in good shape but not looking for anything extreme, take the Four Mile Trail on the way back from Glacier Point.

Why is Glacier Point Road closed?

Glacier Point Road is getting some much-needed rehabilitation in 2022. Time to explore other parts of Yosemite Mariposa County! Glacier Point Road will be closed

for improvements for the duration of 2022

, and then will reopen (with 30-minute delays) in the spring of 2023.

Is Four Mile trail scary?

Discover this 9.2-mile out-and-back trail near Yosemite Valley, California.

Generally considered a challenging route

, it takes an average of 5 h 30 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.

Is Glacier Point Road scary?

There’s one spot called Darwin’s Curve that gets some attention, but overall

most people will not consider the Glacier Point road to be scary

. By comparison it’s no worse than other local roads like route 120 (Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows) or route 41 (Wawona, Mariposa Grove).

Is the Mist Trail open?


The lower portion of the Mist Trail along Vernal Fall closes in winter

due to risk of falling ice and rock. The upper portion of the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and the top of Nevada Fall is closed in winter due to treacherously icy conditions.

Should I go to Yosemite in the winter?


Yosemite is amazing to visit in winter, but with winter conditions come extra complications

. Winter conditions are common from November through March (but can can occur any time).

Can you hike Yosemite in January?


Yes; you can hike in Yosemite in January

.

Can you swim in Lake Tenaya?

Tenaya Lake is the largest lake in Yosemite’s frontcountry. Because of its remarkable scenic qualities, its inviting blue water, and its proximity to Tioga Road, Tenaya Lake is one of the most popular destinations for summer visitors in Yosemite.

It is quite popular for picnicking, swimming, and canoeing

.

Is Tenaya Lake Worth Visiting?

Tenaya Lake is

arguably as gorgeous as anything in Yosemite

, but it’s a long ways from Yosemite Valley, so it’s not as crowded as other water attractions like Yosemite or Bridalveil Falls. Don’t expect to have the place to yourself, though. Scenery Factor: Tenaya Lake may be the most beautiful of all Yosemite’s lakes.

Can you swim at Tenaya Lake?

The surface of Tenaya Lake has an elevation of 8,150 feet. It is sometimes referred to as the “Jewel of the High Country” and

it a popular spot for kayaking, boating, swimming and even sunbathing

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.