The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls

In hight water, the river may invade far up the riverside granite slabs. On the trip with Dave, the water was not this high. The Cockscomb waves hello mid-picture.

Spring on the PCT

The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and Falls, June 2004

At one point the trail comes to an elbow in the river next to a large open level slab of white granite. The views towards the Cathedral Range over the river are spectacular from there, no matter what time of the year. This would make a good picnic spot for day-hikers coming from Tuolumne Meadows (just leave no trace).

From left to right, Cockscomb, Unicorn Peak, Echo Peaks, Catherdral Peak and Fairview Dome.

Level as it is, the trail does not lack for interest. It is a beautiful stroll along the river in most places, crossing large open areas of pure granite where trails are barely discernible, to other placers where the woods are intimate and stunted by the altitude. Like most trails in the Sierra, do not expect a perfectly level trail for long, because there are always some ups and downs.

Those doing the PCT as a through-hike get to hike this section of trail at the very best time of year when the runoff is at its highest and there is still snow in high places.