A Short Vlog!
Hike Stats
Trail type: Out and Back
Length: ~ 6 miles round
Elevation Gain: ~ 3,100’
Hike Time: ~ 4-5 hours (acclimatization and rapid elevation gain on rocky trail made this short hike
challenging and daunting)
Trail Signs: No trail signs or maps, there were some rock structures created to mark a rough path
throughout the trail
Level: Strenuous/Difficult (high elevation hike with rapid elevation gain)
Trail: Scree made it slippery at several instances
Tips & Reminders
Bring plenty of water! The trail is very open and rocky for the second half of the hike.
Hiking poles are recommended! Poles may help keep your balance while navigating the scree and rocks going up and down. Several areas were slippery with gravel like grounding.
Consider pills for altitude sickness! I took Diamox due to the high elevation of Mt. Dana (13,061’); I experienced head and stomach aches during the hike. Although, I can’t figure out whether this was due to taking the Diomax or due to the elevation. I took Diamox when I hiked Mt. Whitney two years ago and had no issues!
Be ready for cold weather! Our morning start at 7 AM left us very cold even after starting our hike and warming our bodies a bit. We wore gloves and jackets and still felt cold. Throughout the hike I found myself taking my jacket on and off as I felt cold and hot periodically.
The Trail
Mount Dana, the second highest peak (following Mount Lyell) located in the Eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park, lies at an elevation of 13,061 feet! Our hike started near the Tioga Pass Ranger station by the Eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park; since we had car permits, we were able to drive through the other side of the Park. We even passed by the Blue Jay fire, which is being monitored by rangers and the fire department; pretty scary stuff! The hike begins at just under 10,000 feet elevation and quickly guides you through lakes and forests. This first section of the hike was beautiful, especially during the early morning hours, the surrounding peaks sunkissed by the rising sun. Looking back the way we came, we saw the road and parking lot and beautiful views of forest and neighboring mountain ranges.
The trail soon began to steepen, leading us to a rocky pathway with no cover. As we climbed higher, the dirt trail was replaced by scattered boulders and smaller rocks. We were lucky to have been shaded by the nearby peaks for the first half of the hike. Here, the trail began to disappear and reappear, I advise you to use your judgement and find the best trail for you to safely make your way up this climb. We found a faint path which took us up this climb through many switchbacks leading us to the foot of Mount Dana. As we reached this flat ground, Mount Dana stood tall and looming over us, a reminder of the daunting hike that awaited us.
This next part of the hike, which was essentially a scramble up huge rocks and scree to the summit of Mt. Dana, felt endless. I took several breaks as I often felt short of breath and had a headache for most of my climb. I recommend tackling this hike with as many breaks to acclimatize — LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! Again, there were several ways to climb up this rocky mountain, there is no defined trail to follow. Finally, I reached the top, greeted by beautiful views of Mono Lake and a skyline of Eastern Yosemite Peaks. Some of the neighboring peaks still had large patches of snow covering them! After resting at the top and getting some pictures, we headed back down. I had a fairly easy time getting down the rocks, climbing down much more swiftly than the climb up. Going downhill can also be tricky and slippery at certain sections of the hike, so I recommend taking your time and being vigilant of loose rocks. The rest of the descent was smooth with a beautiful view before us.
I’d recommend this hike for anyone training for high elevation hikes, as you get that 13,000’+ experience. However, this would not be my first choice hike in Yosemite, there are far more scenic hikes to choose from :)
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