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Happy Isles to Tuolumne Meadows (JMT)

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 41/100 · Strenuouspoint to point#thru-hike#john-muir-trail#waterfalls#point-to-point
Distance
22 mi
Total gain
5,900 ft
Net gain
5,900 ft
Net loss
5,900 ft
Elevation
4,072–8,560 ft
Days
3–4
Permit
Required
Campfires
Stoves only

Overview

This is the John Muir Trail's first act: 22 miles and 5,900 feet of climbing from Happy Isles past Vernal and Nevada Falls, below Half Dome, through the Sunrise country, and beside Cathedral Peak to Tuolumne Meadows. The classic start of a northbound JMT — or a complete adventure in its own right.

Highlights

  • Vernal and Nevada Falls at the opening climb
  • Camping at Little Yosemite Valley beneath Half Dome
  • Sunrise's meadows and the Cathedral Range beyond
  • The satisfaction of walking Valley to high country on the JMT

How hard is Happy Isles to Tuolumne Meadows (JMT)?

CaliPeaks rates this route 41/100 (Strenuous). The score weights five factors: climbing counts for 45% — 5,900 ft puts this trip at 49% of the reference climb; distance 20% at 22 miles; maximum altitude 15% at 8,560 ft; route technicality 10% (established trail throughout); and trip length 10% at 4 days. A score under 20 suits first-time backpackers; 60+ means serious endurance. See how we score difficulty for the full method.

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Happy Isles Trailhead (Yosemite Valley) (4,072 ft) · parking: Yosemite Valley parking; shuttle to Happy Isles
  • Water: The Merced River, Sunrise Creek, and Cathedral-area creeks; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None between the Valley and Tuolumne.
  • Shuttle: Seasonal hiker shuttle between Tuolumne and the Valley; or arrange a car spot.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Happy Isles entry applies; the most competitive permit in the park. Half Dome permits also required for summit ascents.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Stoves only. Little Yosemite Valley restricts fires to communal rings; the higher camps along the route are above or near the fire line. Stoves throughout. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Usually snow-free by early July at the high end.

Heat: The Valley climb is hot; the high country is cool.

Bugs: Mosquitoes near the lakes through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The Happy Isles trailhead permit is the park's most competitive
  • A Half Dome side trip requires its own permit
  • Little Yosemite Valley camping is restricted to the backpackers campground
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Trailhead and destination elevations sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Yosemite Valley Trails — John Muir Trail to Tuolumne. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yosemite-valley-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). 22-mile one-way route with 5,900 ft gain from Happy Isles to Tuolumne Meadows.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules at Little Yosemite Valley and elsewhere, and bear canister requirement.