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California
70 ft
Gain
Excellent conditions, clear skies, mild temps
Checked 8/6/2026 · openweather, snotel, scoring_engine
Weather is ideal for hiking with clear skies, comfortable temperatures (high 78°F), and minimal wind. No snow on the trail and a scoring engine rating of 98/100 confirms this is an optimal day to hike Elizabeth Lake Trailhead.
Why you'll love it
Elizabeth Lake Trailhead
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p>The trail climbs steadily to a glacier-carved lake at the base of Unicorn Peak in the heart of the Cathedral Range. A one-mile trail circles the lake. The trail begins at the back of the B loop in the Tuolumne Meadows Campground.<br /> <br /> <strong>Distance: </strong>4.8 miles (11 km) round-trip<br /> <strong>Elevation gain: </strong>1,000 ft (305 m)<br /> <strong>Time estimate: </strong>4-6 hours</p> <h2>Tips & Seasonal Information</h2> <p>Pets and bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails.<br /> <br /> This trailhead is only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November.<br /> <br /> Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).</p>
Cathedral Lakes Trailhead
~2 min drive
<p>Cathedral Lakes are nestled at the foot of Cathedral Peak. In addition to the lakes themselves, hikers will enjoy views of Cathedral Peak and Echo Peak. The trail through this area is part of the John Muir Trail, which sees high traffic all season. The area is also popular…
Shell Lake
~12 min drive
Easy alpine lake hike with minimal elevation gain and scenic water views.
Saddlebag Lake Loop
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Bloody Canyon
~17 min drive
Steep alpine climb with 2,080 ft gain offering dramatic Sierra views.
Mono Pass Trailhead
~9 min drive
<p>This historic trans-Sierra trail climbs gradually through lodgepole pines and past wet meadows. In mid-summer, look for red mountain heather blooming trailside. After the Spillway Lake junction, the trail climbs steadily and more steeply to Mono Pass (elevation 10,600 feet)…
Alger Lakes
~17 min drive
Moderate 6.4-mile alpine lake hike with 690 ft elevation gain.
Gardisky Lake
~14 min drive
Ultra-short walk to an alpine lake with minimal elevation change.
Lake Canyon
~21 min drive
A moderate 3.62-mile out-and-back singletrack trail in California that links to Oneida Lake.
Gaylor Lakes Trailhead
~10 min drive
<p>This short but steep hike offers spectacular high-country views, wildflowers in the summer, and lake views. From the trailhead, located right next to Tioga Pass, climb steadily to a ridge with views of the high Sierra including Mt. Dana and Dana Meadows. At the ridge crest,…
Marie Lakes
~19 min drive
Steep alpine lake hike with dramatic elevation gain in under 2 miles.
