California · Hiking · Near Yosemite Valley

Mather

MatherPhoto: Charkrem, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.6 mi
round trip
299 ft
climb
4,857 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Mather open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Mather, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Mather is an easy out-and-back hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Groveland Ranger District and the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power area. The trail is on county land, and the route is about 2.6 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 299 feet, taking you from a low point of about 4,546 feet to a high of about 4,857 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Cherry Valley Dam weather station show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 70°F, with only a few wet days in each month. July and August average highs near 89°F, and winter brings snow on about five days a month from December through February. The Camp Mather Trail and Camp Mather Trails both start within a quarter mile. The Middle Tuolumne River is about 1.5 miles away, and Dimond "O" campground is about 1.7 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Dimond "O"

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Jack Spring Dining Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Union Point

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Mountain in California, United States of America

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Yosemite Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Mather

    Best months: May–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 37°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      70° / 44°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 58°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 57°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 36°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      49° / 31°

      9 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cherry Valley Dam, CA, 7.2 mi away at 4,765 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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