Everything about this walk, hike, views, sounds, was worth every moment of the visit. We had recent…read moreviewed this from someone else's Facebook post and decided it was part of our summer vibes. This was well worth it. FREE access, views, nature sounds, fishing. What more could you ask for. Pack your own snack or lunch even if you wanted too. You won't many benches to sit along the way, but hey, why not utilize one of the many massive tree trunks that were just cut up on the side of the trail. If you have any type of water shoes, bring those alongside your walking shoes. During our visit we did about a good 4 miles of trail visit. The road entering into the location is very narrow, and almost like a one vehicle a time passing.We would DEFINITELY see ourselves visiting here again. No IF, ANDs or BUTS about it.

Beautiful views and a super unique hike. The dam at the end was very cool too. It was very hot so…read morewe could even get very close and get splashed by the dam water, cooling us off. Pro tip, you can drive up to near the dam and do the trail backwards if you want to be able to see the dam without hiking as long. One caveat, you have to walk single file so it's a bit hard to have any big group conversations.

Carlon Falls Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes because at the end, there is a beautiful…read morewaterfall and cold pool of water to swim in. The hike is about 3 miles and starts off in Groveland, in Stanislaus National Forest, and goes into Yosemite National Park. You will have to go on a dirt trail and go up and down a couple of rocky hills so make sure to wear good hiking shoes. There are spots along the river that you can stop at if you don't want to hike all the way to the end. But it's worth it to go to the end. There are waterfalls (not super tall), but very pretty, especially with the surrounding trees and nature. In the summer, when the temperature is hot, the water is very refreshing, but it is very cold. A lot of people enjoy swimming in the waters at Carlon Falls. Not only is this one of the prettiest hikes in Yosemite, it's free to hike this trail. Also, if you park your car up the road, the parking would be free too. I've done this hike 3 times in the past 4 years and have enjoyed it each time.

Really beautiful river trail that ends at a spectacular waterfall, not too far from Hetch Hetchy…read more Carlon falls trail begins outside the Carlon Day Use area with a small roadside lot. If it's full, you can park, for a fee, in the day use area. That's $10, cash only. There was a remarkably clean pit toilet as well as some picnic areas in the day use area. The trail itself is easy to navigate and only goes one direction along the river and to the falls. It's mostly flat and well shaded, until the end when you have to scramble up a rocky hillside. In May 2023, the cascades prior to the falls are running pretty intensely as were the falls. The surrounding forest was a bit gloomy as it's recovering from the Rim Fire. Still, the tall trees, new growth and some pops of wildflowers made for a fun hike. You also get some lovely river views. My fitness tracker put it at almost 3.5 miles. Nice little side trip when in the area and don't want to go from Hetch Hetchy down to Yosemite valley but still want to get some miles in.

We enjoyed our visit to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir located in the northwest corner of Yosemite National…read morePark. If staying at Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is about a 7 minute drive to the main entrance of the park and it's about an 8 mile drive until you get to the reservoir. The views are incredible getting there. We recommend parking near the restrooms and walking down towards the entrance of the dam it's not very far. Hetch Hetchy is known for its stunning scenery, waterfalls (like Wapama and Tueeulala Falls), and hiking trails, but it is also famous for the controversial O'Shaughnessy Dam, which created a reservoir to supply water to San Francisco. There's a cool tunnel you can walk through to get to the other side of the dam where people start their hike. Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is a must visit if staying at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite since it's very close to it! The location is kid and stroller friendly. Happy Yelping :)

This review is about the hike around the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (not my personal opinion that it…read moreshould not exist). Hetch Hetchy is part of Yosemite National Park, but it has its own separate entrance. From Yosemite Valley, Big Oak Flat Road takes you out of Yosemite, through Stanislaus National Forest, and then through the dedicated Hetch Hetchy entrance gate back into Yosemite. The fees and reservations to visit Hetch Hetchy are included in/the same as the fees to visit Yosemite. If you have a reservation to visit the valley, it counts for Hetch Hetchy, too (and vice versa). Lucky for me, I have a lifetime pass and an NPS pass, so I was just waved on through. I think there were only two other cars in front of me, so I barely had to wait to get in. Seeing Hetch Hetchy was on my bucket list for this summer, since I've read so much about it over so many years, and have such strong opinions that the reservoir should never have been created in the first place. I drove out here expecting to be heartbroken. I expected to feel whatever it was that killed John Muir. But, all I saw was a beautiful lake in the mountains that I wanted to hike around (sorry not sorry). I had read somewhere that, before the creation of the reservoir, Hetch Hetchy was like a second Yosemite Valley. I tried to imagine the valley floor unflooded with over three hundred feet of water, but it was hard to envision. Even though I came in late September, I still some some wildflowers-- mostly the same tiny purple flowers and yellow grass blooms which saturate the meadows in the valley. In order to get to the hiking trail, first, you hike across the top of the dam, and then through a tunnel with lights. Unlike most of the tunnels I've hiked through, this one didn't smell very much like bats. I was surprised that hiking across the dam is open to the public, since it has been banned in my hometown Folsom since shortly after 9/11. It was cool to see the spillway from the top of the bridge, though. I also wanted to hike the hundreds of stairs to the bottom (and back up, I love climbing stairs), but this was prohibited. My goal was to hike out to Wapama Falls, which I thought I did. I saw a sign saying that the waterfall was a couple of miles away, I felt like I hiked a couple of miles, and I found the scar of a dry waterfall. The mountain under the dry waterfall reminded me of the Royal Arches, which is my favorite rock surface in the valley. When I heard the group passing by me say that the waterfall was still half a mile away, I thought that they must have mis-navigated. Anyone could see that there was clearly a dried up waterfall here. Also, I wanted an excuse to turn around. So, I chose to believe that this was the waterfall. I made it. Later, I learned that I was actually at Tueeulala Falls, just about half a mile short of Wapama Falls, which flows year round. Guess I'll have to go back. I actually wasn't prepared to go hiking at all, so a couple of miles in each direction was not bad. I would definitely want to come back to backpack and explore this valley more in spring. In spite of my personal feelings about the illegal creation of the dam, I loved hiking around Hetch Hetchy. It was gorgeous, and there was barely anyone else here. It was so nice to get away from the crowds in the valley.

Very very short trail more like a stroll. Lots of mushrooms, very beautiful. Easy sorta confusing…read moreat the end thought it would longer and didn't realize it was trail in and out not round back. Went left after the bridge wonder if we were supposed to go right instead . Next time

Such a great hike that can be made easy or more difficult depending on which route you take and…read morewhat you are up for. Absolutely beautiful in the fall!

Beautiful trail just outside of Yosemite off of Highway 140 in El Portal. My husband and I hiked…read moreabout 2.5 miles of the trail mid June. The whole trail is 4.5 miles one way- about 9 miles round trip if you want to go all the way to Hite Cove. We wanted to go all the way to the end, however temperatures in the canyon rise fast during the summer and it was easily 100 degrees by noon. The trail follows up above the Merced River. There were a few times when you can get right down to the river. About 1.5-2 miles in, there is a section with rocks that looks like it is made for jumping in the river. The trail is entirely single track with some areas with steep drop offs. Make sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and bug spray. There is very little shade and the trail is almost completely exposed. To find the trail, just look for the Red Bud Lodge and park right across the street. There is a sign that points just to the trailhead next to the lodge. I would recommend to come as early as possible if you are coming in the summertime.

Considering that everything else in El Portal is some pee stained remnant from the Sears catalog,…read morewe didn't have high hopes for the 'trail' that came recommended. It's not that encouraging as you drive up either. Seems very average and nondescript. As it was our first night in the greater Yosemite area, we definitely wanted to get out and so we went for it. In retrospect, I would say it was one of the nicer hikes we went on. You walk high above the Merced River on a narrow trail amongst wild flowers and with a beautiful view of the mountains. The power of the river and the beauty of the land impressed all of us. It and easy/intermediate hike. One drawback is that it's not a loop. So you can go as long as you want (to the end even) and come back. We went and hour and turned around. Recommend.

Wow way way up there. It was August so the conditions were good albeit. a bit cold this early…read more Awesome views down the West and East sides of the Sierras and quite the steep windy road as well. Its easy to see why this is closed int he wionter as driving conditions would be brutal up here on a normal day let alone during. . storm. There appeared to be several trails but having blasted up there from sea level I did not try my luck

Fun experience ! We cut our first Christmas Tree down today . The kids loved it it was a bit…read morechallenging to find the perfect one. Definitely give yourself plenty of time . It took us 3 hrs to find our tree.

AWESOME 6-day raft trip down the Selway River in N.E. Idaho near Missoula, MT. The river,…read morecampsites, participants, scenery, etc., were great. We had fun and the trip was smooth and went off without a hitch. What made the trip superb were the guides: Izzy, Emma, Kenny, and Woody. The were personable, informatice, accomplished, .... They took care of EVERYTHING! On top of the everyday everything, they made a birthday cake for someone on the trip including the candles.

Amazing tour! I went as a chaperone for a field trip and the guides were so knowledgeable and…read morehelpful throughout the whole trip. We were safe the entire trip and had loads of fun. I would definitely recommend going with ARTA if you get the chance!

A difficult and spectacular hiking trail that is well worth the effort. The trails are located near…read moreand along the service road that leads up the the Laurel Lakes that can be accessible by high-clearance 4WD vehicles. With a series tight switchbacks, shorter wheelbase vehicles are better. The road is considered a black diamond littered with rocks making a severe difficulty to a rough ride. There will be 4.4 miles of expert level off-roading.

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: El Portal…read moreLength: 24.8 total miles Elevation Gain: 2,920 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Difficult Duration: 2-3 days Season: Best June to October Trailhead Elevation: 4,050 feet Top Elevation: 6,970 feet Other Uses: Horses This relatively low-elevation loop, a good early-summer conditioner, visits two fairly large lakes--Laurel and Vernon--both good rainbow-trout fisheries. If you hike only to Laurel Lake, you go only 8.4 miles, and your total elevation gain and loss will be about 6680 feet. If you hike only to Lake Vernon, you go only 10.6 miles, and the elevation gain and loss will be about 8400 feet. These two lakes are popular on summer weekends, and most hikers go no farther. At 6490 feet in elevation, Laurel Lake is the lowest of any large natural lake in the park that is reached by trail, and it provides relatively warm swimming. Being lower, this conifer-ringed lake lacks the inspiring scenery of the park's higher lakes. But in compensation, there are many campsites above its lengthy shore, these allowing for secluded camping even when others are present. Lake Vernon, at 6564 feet in elevation, is a bit higher; furthermore, you cross a low ridge and then drop 400 feet to the lake. This is a more aesthetic lake, and it has plenty of slabs great for sunbathing, especially for warming up after a swim.