Solitude en route to Mirror Lake and other Yosemite National Park, CA Off The Beaten Path Tips

The hike to Mirror Lake can be very crowded during the day if you take the route suggested by most tour books and rangers. I prefer a small trail that starts across the parking lot from the Ahwahnee! There is a sign that points one way to Yosemite Village and the other to Mirror Lake. This trail winds its way through boulders that have fallen from the cliffs above and also takes you close to the Royal Arches cascade through which you will have to walk across in the spring so wear waterproof shoes.

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I'm not sure why this area isn't as popular as it's neighbor, Sentinal Dome, but I love it! The fissures offer a great display of cliff joints which work to erode the cliff walls and widen the valley and the view is incredible! Be very careful in this area though! The fissures are deep cracks in the ground in which a person could stumble into and they are not marked. There are five of them. Also the cliff only has one area with protective railing. I recommend not bring young children into this area unless you can really keep them under control.

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Although Bodie is one of the more popular ghost towns, it's still not very crowded. It's the best preserved ghost town in the United States and has a lot of history behind it! Don't miss the Bodie Cemetery near the parking lot either. The ghost town is a state historical park and is often not accessible in the winter due to snow. When there, don't venture off into the hills. Hidden abandoned mines are everywhere! Bodie is located off U.S. 395 on the east slopes of the Sierra Nevada, north of the entrance to Yosemite. The first part of the highway to Bodie is paved, after that it's a good gravel road to the parking lot. Where, the pavement ends, look for tire ruts heading off the north side of the road toward a rocky hill. It's a long trek, but from the top of that hill you can get your first good view of the ghost town alone in the valley below! While about 85% of the town burned to the ground in a major fire long ago, you can still tour a stamp mill, a house or two, and peak into a methodist church, fire station, gas station, and several other buildings.

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This is a long and somewhat strenuous hike with the first 5+ miles being all uphill. But the views and solitude are worth it! Just make sure to plan ahead and take plenty of water. Start the hike at the Tunnel View parking lot. Look for a signed trailhead just east of the tunnel on the south side of the road. A big sign tells distances to several viewpoints along the route. If you want a long dayhike or overnight hike, you can hike all the way to Glacier Point on this trail. The hike to Dewey Point and back is just under 11 miles. After a bit of a climb and several switchbacks you cross the old Wawona carriage road. This is the road originally used to access the Valley in the parks younger days. The road was closed when the current day Wawona Road was opened in 1933. The old road joins the new one a little over a mile and a half east of this point and about a third of a mile west of the Bridalview Fall parking lot. Continuing on uphill, you eventually meet up with the old Wawona Road again, this time at Inspiration Point. This is where early travelers got their first views of Yosemite Valley. Today the view is mostly obstructed by trees. Eventually, after a long grueling climb we are rewarded with Old Inspiration Point. This is the point where the Mariposa Battalion first laid its eyes on the valley. The next portion of the trail isn't as steep and you soon reach Stanford Point, the first impressive view down into the west end of Yosemite Valley. Climbing 400 feet in a half mile beyond Stanford Point you reach Crocker Point. From this cliff edge, you can see all the way to the Seirra Crest on the eastern flanks of the park. From here, it's just another 2/3 of a mile to Dewey Point. Some think Crocker Point provides a much more stunning view. You can decide for yourself. From here you can continue on to Bridalvail Creek Campground 5 miles away or continue 11 more miles to Glacier Point. Otherwise, return downhill the way you came to Tunnel View.

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Park at the Bridalveil Fall parking lot and walk about a third of a mile west on the road. Look for a clear area along the south side of the road. This is the old Wawona carriage road. Built in 1875, this road allowed the first visitors access to Yosemite Valley by carriage and automobile in its early days. This road was closed when the current road was built in 1933. Hike up this road for an adventure into history. It's a long steep uphill climb but you'll enjoy perfect solitude as you hike through Yosemite's forests and think about how this trip must of been in the 1900s when it took over 4 days to reach Yosemite from the nearest city. Eventually after a long climb you will reach Inspiration Point where the road rounds a bend. This was the place where early visitors to the park got their first peak at Yosemite Valley. Unfortunately, trees now obstruct this formerly amazing view. From here, the road becomes hard to follow and dangerous. I can't really tell you with good conscience to continue on. I'd hate for something to happen to you. But if you really feel adventurous (and have a good topographical map) go for it! Note however that this road is not an official trail and is not marked on any map that I know of. If you find on that has it, let me know please! To get to Inspiration Point on an official trail, see my tip on Pohono Trail.

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