CALIFORNIA

Olmstead Point

Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake are two of the pretty sights in the High Sierra of Yosemite National Park that can be enjoyed without hiking as they are right next to Tioga Pass Road.

Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake is about 7 miles West of Tuolomne Meadows. The Tenaya Lake was carved by the massive Tuolomne Glacier, and the glacier-polished granite domes surrounding it make it not just another lake. This is a good example of how glaciers can leave behind lakes after they melt.

Tenaya Lake is one of the prettiest sights in Yosemite I’ve seen, yet, with very little crowd. Unlike Yosemite Valley, Yosemite’s High Sierra draws fewer crowds. I think aside from us (we were 5), there were just two other people enjoying the lake but they were quite very far from us. The feeling of having all the lake to ourselves was great, and we had a lot of fun photo opportunities without having to worry about other people.

We went to Tenaya Lake early summer or late June, and the water still felt extremely cold. The coldness of the water was no surprise for us though, since around the lake, there were still some snow patches that we played around for quite a bit.

Not that we miss snow, but it was fun to enjoy snow in the 70s, and in the middle of summer sun! Even though Tenaya Lake can be enjoyed without hiking, but, one can hike the 2.5 miles loop trail around the lake, and there is very little elevation, making it a very easy hike. The polished rocks around Tenaya Lake are also popular for rock climbers.

Five minute- drive west of Tenaya Lake is Olmstead Point. Glacial polish and glacial erratics can be seen along the nature trail of Olmstead Point.

An excellent view of glacially sculpted and polished Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome can be seen across Tenaya Canyon from this site.

Olmstead Point and Tenaya Lake may not be as widely photographed as Glacier Point and the Wamona Tunnel View, but if you are driving along Tioga Road, these two are beautiful stops that I recommend.

Half Dome from Olmstead Point