Tioga Peak - June 24, 2007

We came too late in the afternoon to Yosemite to make the Mount Dana hike. Instead, we prepared our camp site at the Sawmill Campground, then scrambled to nearby Tioga Peak, from which we looked at the sun setting behind the Mount Conness crest. An easy walk from the trailhead at the Saddlebag Road to the top took about an hour. Tioga Peak, 11526 ft (3513 m), offers nice views of Mount Dana, Tioga Lake, and Tioga Pass to the south, Mount Conness to the west, and parts of Mono Lake and Mone Craters to the east. Maintained trail goes from the trailhead to the Gardisky Lake. Just before you reach the lake, cross a creek and head up following an obvious route over the peak's north ridge to the top.

Our camp site. You leave your car at the Saddlebag Lake Road, then walk several hundred yards to one of twelve designated sites. This walk-in campground was empty on Sunday evening.

Mount Dana from a Tioga Peak ridge

The ridge leading from Gardisky Lake to Tioga Peak. Dom is way ahead, and he has the camera.

Dom is way ahead, and he has the camera. Wind gusts are reaching 50 miles per hour. He will find a wind protected shelter and wait for me there.

East end of Gardisky Lake

Mount Dana from a small saddle just below the top.

Tioga Lake

At the top

Mount Dana from the top.

There is even a summit register at the top, thanks to Pete Yamagata.

Tioga Road

A piece of Mono Lake and Mono Craters

It was too windy at the peak, and we quickly descended to a lower elevation, then waited for the sun to set. A view back at the top from the side of the peak.

Sun setting.

Self portrait

Sun setting behind the North Peak of Mount Conness.