Hiking up Pothole Dome along Tioga Road - Yosemite National Park
Hi friends and happy Monday! Last week we celebrated the opening of Tioga Pass and I took you on an adventure in Yosemite National Park’s “high country”, sharing the current conditions, as well as all of my recommended stops along Tioga Road for first-time visitors. One of the highlights from last week’s travel guide is a wonderful family friendly hike in the Tuolomne Meadows area. Join me today as we hike to the top of Pothole Dome.
FAST FACTS
• Distance: 1.25 miles RT
• Elevation Change: 200 ft
• Difficulty: Easy
Views of Tuolumne Meadows from Pothole Dome in Yosemite
Location
Located about 10 miles from the Yosemite Tioga Pass Entrance, the parking area and trailhead for Pothole Dome are found right off Tioga Road (Hwy-120) at the far west side of Tuolomne Meadows. This area is known for its lush meadows, the meandering Tuolumne River, and the granite domes that dot the landscape. Many of these granite features can be ascended by foot without having to scramble or rock climb, such as Lembert Dome, Dog Dome, and Puppy Dome.
Trail leading to Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park
Atop Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park
Hike
At about a mile and a quarter round trip with less than 200 feet in elevation gain, the hike to the top of Pothole Dome is a great family-friendly adventure in Yosemite’s “high country.” The short 1/4 mile dirt trail to the base of the granite dome circles around a small meadow. It’s important to note that the meadow is undergoing restoration, so please refrain from cutting corners and trampling the fragile flora here. Once at the base of the east side of the dome, we begin the gentle ascent to the top. At this point, there are no defined paths, so hike up carefully and be aware of your surroundings. There are areas with large crevices in the granite in some areas, and “potholes” are scattered throughout (hence the name). Once you’ve reached the peak and soaked in the sights and sounds of Pothole Dome, you can return the same way you came.
“Pothole” on Pothole Dome with views of Unicorn Peak & Cockscomb Peak in the distance
Hiking on Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park
Views
Although the climb is relatively short compared to Lembert Dome and other nearby granite features. the 360º panoramic views from the top of Pothole Dome are quite spectacular. To the east, the meandering Tuolumne River weaves its way through the Tuolumne Meadows with Lembert Dome on the far side. To the south you have an incredible shot of Unicorn Peak & Cockscomb Peak...and to the west you can see Mt. Hoffmann & Tuolumne Peak in the distance.
Views of Tuolumne River & Meadows from Pothole Dome
Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park
Formation
Thousands of years ago, large glaciers covered this area, flowing throughout the Sierra Nevada Mountains. As these ice fields weaved their way through the canyons and valleys of what we now know as Yosemite National Park, the glacial ice (and the debris it carried) scraped, scrubbed, and polished the granite, leaving these beautiful domes in their wake. If you look closely at the domes found in the Tuolumne Meadows area, you’ll notice that each one has a more gradual slope on the east side, revealing that the glacial movement flowed from that direction.
Another interesting find you’ll discover on the top of these domes are seemingly random boulders. Science has shown that these rocks were carried by the ancient glaciers from other mountain peaks and rock features, left here as the ice eventually retreated below the domes they were previously forming.
Click here for more fascinating information on Tioga glaciation in Yosemite National Park.
Halfway up the east side of Pothole Dome
Know Before You Go
• Check the official NPS website prior to visiting for the most up-to-date weather and road conditions.
• Due to the high elevation, Tioga Road is only open for vehicles during the Summer and Fall, typically opening around June and closing in November. Both the opening and closing are dependent on snow/ice conditions.
• Currently (as of July 2023), there are sections of Tioga Road that are damaged and still under construction. The road is down to one lane in between Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake, so be prepared for potential delays.
• Remember the Leave No Trace Principles and pack out what you pack in.
• This is black bear country. Bears and other wildlife can be present on trails at any time of the day or night. Feeding and approaching wildlife is dangerous and illegal.
Top 10 Family-Friendly Hikes in Yosemite
Soda Springs & Parsons Memorial Lodge
Pothole Dome
Bridalveil Fall
Sentinel & Cooks Meadow
Unicorn Peak & Cockscomb Peak seen from Pothole Dome
In Summary
Thank you so much for joining me this week in Yosemite National Park’s high country. For a virtual visit of the Pothole Dome hike, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video found at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Hiking up Pothole Dome in Yosemite National Park
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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