California · Hiking · Near Yosemite Valley

Poopenaut Valley Trail

Poopenaut Valley Trail
1.0 mi
round trip
1,232 ft
climb
4,582 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Poopenaut Valley Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yosemite National Park. It doesn't name Poopenaut Valley Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are temporarily closed due to snow

    Park closure covering Yosemite National Park · NPS · Yosemite National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Yosemite National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This short, steep hike down to the Tuolumne River in Poopenaut Valley is a great spot for wildflowers in spring. Be aware that this is a steep hike on the return trip to the parking area. If you hike down, you must be able to hike back up! Parking is very limited. Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) round-trip Elevation gain: 1,229 feet (375 m) Time estimate: 3-4 hours Tips & Hours Unlike other areas of Yosemite, the road to Hetch Hetchy is open from sunrise to sunset only. Hetch Hetchy trailheads are not reachable by vehicle when the road is closed. From November through March, the Hetch Hetchy Road may be subject to closures or chain requirements due to ice and snow. Call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1) for current road conditions. Pets are prohibited on all hiking trails. Swimming and boating are prohibited in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in order to maintain a clean source of drinking water.

Around this trail

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

    Hetch Hetchy Backpackers Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Jack Spring Dining Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rains

    Union Point

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Mountain in California, United States of America

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Yosemite Valley

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Poopenaut Valley Trail

    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, 7.1 mi away at 4,765 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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