As a Yosemite high country enthusiast (Ok passionate addict), I can talk about locations and make them all seem like they are the best location, hands down in the world to explore. I am un apologetic about this with my friends and readers. I love Yosemite and all that it offers. May Lake and Mt. Hoffman experience is one of these cant miss extraordinary adventures, I will continue to beg people to take.
A popular and picturesque Yosemite Lake location highlighted by Mt Hoffmann and a panoramic view of the Clouds Rest and Tioga Road regions of the Park. May Lake was named by Ranger Hoffmann as the story goes after inviting a pretty young Ms. May for an afternoon adventure in the park. A beautifully scenic lake that is home to one of the Yosemite High Camps in the summer season, May Lake at times is a place that seems to be just a passer on by location to greater adventures. This is a real shame if you as us. Besides the early Sumer mosquitos, May lake is as tranquil of a location as you will find in Yosemite.
Great to visit any time of the year that Tioga Road is open. The 2.5 mile one way hike has a climb of 500 feet to May Lake; 2,000 feet to the peak of Mt. Hoffmann. The Eastside of the lake is rimmed with trees that give way to Sierra Granite Carved Valleys and spectacular views of The Cathedral Range. Sunrise from this bluff is in our opinion one of the top 10 locations in the Sierra.
Visiting in Early Spring will often give you a frozen lake with several water cascades coming of Mt Hoffman on the North-side of the lake. And a mid summer weekend you might find a full house as hikers come up and down Mt. Hoffman, traverse around towards Glen Aulin high camp or are gathered for an afternoon swim and sun bath on the Back shore lines.
Parking is limited for this trailhead so distance to your hike can vary based on where you need to park.
From Yosemite Valley, take highway 120 ten miles (16.8 km) to the Crane Flat turnoff onto Tioga Road, then take Tioga Road 28 miles (44.8 km) east to the May Lake turnoff. From Yosemite’s east entrance at Tioga Pass, take the Tioga Road west 20 miles (32 km) to the turnoff. From the turnoff, it’s 1.8 miles (2.9 km) to the trailhead parking lot.Â
Climbing Mt Hoffmann is must do for scenic value in Yosemites High Country.
It’s Mount Hoffmann that makes this a four-star excursion. You don’t get many chances to look down on both Clouds Rest and Half Dome without being a Horizon Air customer, and the views of the northern wilderness are nearly as compelling. The Mt. Hoffmann trail also includes some bonus views looking back to May Lake.
–Yosemitehikes.com
If parking is full and you are up for a longer excursion to get to May lake, you can also park at the West side of Tenaya Lake and find a trail that will lead you to May lake, this trail is just over 13 miles long round trip. This trail is an old Horse Trail and follows the old Tioga Pass Road that used to come up the slopes to the parking area before turning back towards Tenaya lake. Another Parking area can be found just West of Olmstead Lookout with a trail that will climb the ridge up to the parking area and May lake Trail. this route takes you by one of the Yosemite Winter huts.
Backpacking May Lake
With the distance from the Parking area only being 2 miles, it may seem that May lake is not a preferred Backpacking destination. However I can tell you from experience that a night at the lake followed by an exclusive sunrise experience makes May Lake one of my favorite nights in Yosemite. During Covid my Dad and i spent a night at May Lake enjoying a very slow time in the park and a perfect Star filled night and stunning sunrise at the lake before packing up and traveling down the range towards Glen Aulin. Most people make this route the other direction from Glen Aulin to May Lake. Personally I think my route was easier, that is a bit of climbing coming the other direction.
May Backpackers are on the Yosemite High Route loop however and I am certain there is a reason most people go in the Counter Clockwise direction.
May Lake has beautiful brook trout in the lake so fisherman can fish the shore lines with easy access during the summer season as well.