Welcome to the gateway of the High Sierras! Part of Yosemite National Park, but about 55 miles away from Yosemite Valley at an elevation of 8600 feet, this is the a breathtakingly beautiful subalpine meadow set in the Sierra Nevadas. It offers beautiful fields, wildflowers, lakes, mountains, and cooler temperatures than the valley as well as an array of hikes to make anyone of any level happy. It tends to be a lot less crowded than Yosemite Valley and offers a campground, lodge store, and visitor center. Be careful: there is no gas station here, plan accordingly. Head out to one of our favorite hikes: May Lake, 20 Lakes Basin, or Cathedral Lakes. You can also climb to the the top of Pothole Dome at sunrise or sunset for beautiful views. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) also passes through here.