Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake -

August 7, 2003

July 15, 2004

August 27, 2007

September 25, 2008

September 12, 2009

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake from Olmsted Point, 2009

Except for my very first visit, I have always found time to stop at both Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake. They are in the eastern part of Yosemite National Park, and about 1 mile or so distant from one another by road. From Olmsted Point, you can turn towards the east and see this beautiful blue patch of water nestled in amongst the surrounding hills.

You can also take a (relatively) short hike from one to the other. I did this in 2004. It was the last full day of my visit and my feet had had enough hiking. I thought I would just catch the shuttle over to Olmsted Point, take some pictures, then catch the shuttle to Tenaya Lake and take some more pictures. However, once I arrived at Olmsted Point, I felt like I could make the hike over to the Lake. After all, from the Point it is pretty much downhill. It is also about 2 miles, then another mile or so around the eastern part of the Lake until you get back to Tioga Road and the shuttle stop.

And off I went.

Hike to Tenaya Lake

View along the path from Olmsted Point to Tenaya Lake

The hike was actually very enjoyable and very easy. Near Olmsted Point I was in awe of all of the granite. I am not sure why, but I really admire looking at Rock, especially in its natural setting. There is an awful lot of rock in Yosemite and I am just in heaven. At the top of the trail, granite is just all over the place. I remember stopping every few feet to just admire it. Any pictures I take do not do the area justice. As I got closer to the actual Lake, the rock gradually become trees and meadows, although remnants of granite were still strewn about.

Eventually the path comes up to the Lake from the south and skirts the eastern shore of the Lake. That part of the hike was very pretty as I remember walking pretty much next to the lake but elevated a bit above it. As I got closer to Tioga Road, there was a stream I had to wade through across a beach - the water was cold! - to arrive at the parking area where the shuttle would pick me up and take me back to the campground.

On my visits in 2003, 2007 and 2008, I drove down from Olmsted Point and parked next to the Lake along Tioga Road to take some pictures. The Lake is too big to fit in one picture but I took lots of pictures of the shore and the middle of the Lake.

In 2004, there was a fire in the western part of the Park so there was a lot of haze. You can see it in the pictures.

In 2008, I found a large slab of granite to sit on and eat my lunch - it was a gorgeous day for it.

Tenaya Lake, 2004

Tenaya Lake (looking south), 2007

Tenaya Lake (looking east), 2008

Tenaya Lake - August 7, 2003 July 15, 2004 August 27, 2007 September 25, 2008 September 12, 2009 Tenaya Lake from Olmsted Point, 2009 Except for my very first visit, I have always found time to stop at both Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake. They are in the eastern part of Yosemite National Park, and about 1 mile or so distant from one another by road. From Olmsted Point, you can turn towards the east and see this beautiful blue patch of water nestled in amongst the surrounding hills. You can also take a (relatively) short hike from one to the other. I did this in 2004. It was the last full day of my visit and my feet had had enough hiking. I thought I would just catch the shuttle over to Olmsted Point, take some pictures, then catch the shuttle to Tenaya Lake and take some more pictures. However, once I arrived at Olmsted Point, I felt like I could make the hike over to the Lake. After all, from the Point it is pretty much downhill. It is also about 2 miles, then another mile or so around the eastern part of the Lake until you get back to Tioga Road and the shuttle stop. And off I went. View along the path from Olmsted Point to Tenaya Lake The hike was actually very enjoyable and very easy. Near Olmsted Point I was in awe of all of the granite. I am not sure why, but I really admire looking at Rock, especially in its natural setting. There is an awful lot of rock in Yosemite and I am just in heaven. At the top of the trail, granite is just all over the place. I remember stopping every few feet to just admire it. Any pictures I take do not do the area justice. As I got closer to the actual Lake, the rock gradually become trees and meadows, although remnants of granite were still strewn about. Eventually the path comes up to the Lake from the south and skirts the eastern shore of the Lake. That part of the hike was very pretty as I remember walking pretty much next to the lake but elevated a bit above it. As I got closer to Tioga Road, there was a stream I had to wade through across a beach - the water was cold! - to arrive at the parking area where the shuttle would pick me up and take me back to the campground. On my visits in 2003, 2007 and 2008, I drove down from Olmsted Point and parked next to the Lake along Tioga Road to take some pictures. The Lake is too big to fit in one picture but I took lots of pictures of the shore and the middle of the Lake. In 2004, there was a fire in the western part of the Park so there was a lot of haze. You can see it in the pictures. In 2008, I found a large slab of granite to sit on and eat my lunch - it was a gorgeous day for it. Tenaya Lake, 2004 Tenaya Lake (looking south), 2007 Tenaya Lake (looking east), 2008
Tenaya Lake, 2009 Yes, there is a beach at Tenaya Lake. You can swim if you want to, although the water is very cold. I usually sit next to the Lake and eat lunch at least once whenever I visit Yosemite and Tuolumne Meadows.
Home \| My Cats \| My Travels \| My Family \| Contact Me