California · Hiking · Emigrant Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Relief Valley

Relief ValleyPhoto: farktronix, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
19.6 mi
round trip
1,826 ft
climb
8,864 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Relief Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Relief Valley, 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.

Relief Valley is a hard hike in California's Emigrant Wilderness, within the Summit Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The route is an out-and-back of about 19.6 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,826 feet, taking you from a low point of 7,529 feet to a high of 8,864 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced and open year-round. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from June through September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows put July and August highs around 70°F with lows in the upper 30s. Winter is cold, with typical January highs near 41°F and lows around 13°F. Horses are allowed on the trail, but bikes are not. For a longer stay, Deadman and Baker campgrounds sit within about 5 miles, and Summit Creek offers canoeing about 1.6 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Sheep Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 2.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Last Chance Saloon

    Bar

    On your way back · 4 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Relief Valley

    Best months: June–September. 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

      41° / 13°

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 15°

    4. Apr

      45° / 22°

    5. May

      54° / 27°

    6. Jun

      65° / 33°

    7. Jul

      71° / 38°

    8. Aug

      70° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      47° / 20°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tuolumne Meadows Rs, CA, 33.5 mi away at 8,694 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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