Some Yosemite hikes make you earn every view.

Glen Aulin takes a different approach.

The trail begins in the wide-open beauty of Tuolumne Meadows, follows the Tuolumne River downstream, and gradually introduces hikers to one of the most scenic stretches of river in Yosemite National Park. Along the way, you’ll pass granite domes, rushing water, wildflowers, and enough Sierra scenery to keep your camera busy.

In many ways, Glen Aulin feels like a different Yosemite than the one most visitors experience in the Valley.

There are no towering crowds gathered around famous viewpoints. No shuttle buses. No circling parking lots hoping someone leaves.

Just river, granite, sky, and trail.

For hikers looking to explore Yosemite’s high country, Glen Aulin is one of the best places to start.

Quick Facts

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: Approximately 11 miles round trip to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp

Elevation Gain: Roughly 800 feet on the return hike

Time Needed: Roughly 7-8 hours

Best Season: Summer through early fall

Crowd Level: Low to Moderate (comparatively speaking)

Family Friendly: Best for families with older children who enjoy longer hikes

What Makes Glen Aulin Special?

The river.

Simple as that.

The Tuolumne River spends much of this hike putting on a show. Sometimes it’s calm and peaceful. Other times it’s charging through granite channels and tumbling over cascades that somehow don’t get nearly the attention they deserve.

That’s one of the things I like most about Glen Aulin.

It’s spectacular without feeling famous.

You won’t find nearly as many people here as you will on Yosemite’s marquee trails, yet the scenery is every bit as impressive.

In some ways, it feels like you’ve discovered a secret Yosemite—except enough people have discovered it over the years that we probably can’t call it a secret anymore.

The Hike

The trail begins near Tuolumne Meadows and starts with a gentle descent toward the river.

That’s the first thing most hikers notice.

The trail feels surprisingly easy.

The second thing most hikers notice comes several hours later.

Everything you walked downhill…you eventually have to walk back uphill.

The good news is that the grades are generally moderate, and most reasonably active hikers can handle the return climb.

The better news is that you’ll be so distracted by the scenery on the way out that you probably won’t spend much time thinking about the uphill section until it’s time to do it.

The route passes several impressive cascades and offers numerous opportunities to stop and enjoy the river.

This is not a hike that should be rushed.

Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp

A great destination on this trail is the historic Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp area.

Even when camp operations vary from year to year, the location itself remains one of the highlights of the hike.

The combination of granite terrain, river scenery, and the feeling of being deep in Yosemite’s backcountry creates an experience that’s very different from the front-country destinations most visitors know.

You don’t have to be a backpacker to appreciate it.

You just have to be willing to walk a little farther.

Bring More Water Than You Think

This advice applies to almost every Yosemite hike, but it’s worth repeating here.

Eleven miles is still eleven miles.

The high-country temperatures may feel cooler than Yosemite Valley, but you’ll still burn energy, lose fluids, and spend several hours on the trail.

Pack plenty of water, snacks, and enough food to enjoy a break when you reach the river.

Trust me, lunch tastes better when you’re sitting beside the Tuolumne.

One Thing People Often Underestimate

Distance.

Not difficulty.

Distance.

The trail isn’t especially steep, technical, or intimidating.

What catches some hikers off guard is simply how long they’re on their feet.

If you’re comfortable with moderate mileage, you’ll likely love this hike.

If your longest hike so far has been a couple of miles, you may want to build up to Glen Aulin before making it your next adventure.

Why I Think It’s Worth It

One of my favorite things about Yosemite is that the park keeps rewarding people who are willing to venture a little farther.

Not necessarily farther than everyone else.

Just farther than the average visitor.

Most Yosemite visitors will never see Glen Aulin.

They’re missing out.

This hike offers the kind of scenery that reminds you why Yosemite became a national park in the first place.

It’s not about checking a destination off a list.

It’s about spending a day immersed in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Sierra Nevada.

And when you’ve made your way back to Tuolumne Meadows after a long day on the trail, there may be no better reward than taking a refreshing dip into the cold, clear waters of the Tuolumne River.

Surrounded by open meadows, granite peaks, and fresh mountain air, it’s the kind of simple moment that has a way of becoming one of your favorite memories from the entire trip.

In fact, it might just be the perfect ending to a day-long Yosemite adventure.

Trail Truth

If you’ve ever wondered where all that Sierra snowmelt is in such a hurry to get to, Glen Aulin is a pretty good place to find out.

The river is the star of this hike, and it puts on a performance from start to finish.

Just remember one thing before you head out: the hike back is a little harder than the hike out.

That’s not a flaw.

That’s just Yosemite’s way of reminding you that every adventure has a return trip.

So remember, the trail doesn’t ever end here. Until next time, get outside, take the scenic route, and make a few memories. After all, that’s what the best adventures are really about. We’ll see you in the next edition of Hiking Yosemite.