Mount Hoffmann, 10850 feet (3307 m)

Where: Yosemite National Park

Trail head: May Lake trail head, near Tenaya Lake on Route 120

Length: 6 miles round trip

Cumulative elevation gain: 3000 ft

Difficulty: Difficult, with some scramblimg near the top

Reservations required: No

Advance planning typically required for permit: N/A

Permit requirements: Get pass upon entry to Yosemite park. If arriving very early or late, get pass upon exit.

Price: Pay at park entrance, waived with national park pass

Report date: 2007-07-01

Reported by: Silviu

Driving directions: Take Hwy 120 E into Yosemite. Approximately 4 hours from the Bay Area, 5 on a Friday afternoon, depending on traffic conditions.

Maps: LocalHikes.com topo map

Trail condition: This is a used trail, but it is in good condition due to Mt Hoffmann's popularity.

Description and other notes: Mt Hoffmann is centrally located in Yosemite and provides the best 360-degree views of the park. The hike is a continuous uphill. For those who need acclimatization, camping at May Lake could be a good option (permit required). The trail can be lost close to the peak, where you will see many peaks surrounding a meadow. Mt Hoffmann is the furthest west, with an antena on it. Reaching the peak requires some class 2-3 skills (depending on your route). From the top you can identify almost all peaks in Yosemite. If you want more class 2 climbing, it is worth exploring the other unnamed peaks you passed by on your way to Mt Hoffmann. You could want to climb especially the north-east one, from where you have good views of May and Tenaya Lakes.

Comments

May Lake and the two eastern peaks close to Mount Hoffmann.

The 1956 marker on Mount Hoffmann.

The view from the top toward north.

The view from the top toward south.

Mount Hoffmann.

May Lake from the north-eastern peak.