Parking
Start at the Crane Flat Lookout Road turnoff on Big Oak Flat Road, about 0.8 mile west of the Crane Flat junction. A designated lot at the gate was not confirmed; do not block the gate or road.
Overview
About Crane Flat Lookout Trail
Why go
- A 1931 fire lookout gives the climb a distinctive destination.
- The view opens across forest and distant Sierra peaks.
Heads up
- Most of the distance is paved access road.
- Parking at the lower gate and public access at the upper site are poorly documented.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Yosemite map
Full mapElevation6,266–6,627 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
4 active Yosemite alerts
- ClosureDome Fire closes Glacier Point Road and trailsGlacier Point Road is temporarily closed because Dome Fire smoke reduces visibility and to allow firefighting operations; some trails south of the road are also closed.Official details
- CautionMist Trail access limited during October repairsThe Mist Trail between its John Muir Trail junction above the Vernal Fall footbridge and the top of Vernal Fall has limited access through October for repair work.Official details
“Crane Flat Gas Station is ahead, at the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road. It's a practical stop for unleaded or diesel, with groceries, ice and maps in the general store.”
Yosemite Tour Guide
Yosemite, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Yosemite National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Yosemite audio tourRecorded for this area
Crane Flat Gas Station0:00 / 0:17
“Crane Flat Gas Station is ahead, at the junction of Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road. It's a practical stop for unleaded or diesel, with groceries, ice and maps in the general store.”
Plays on the road 0.5 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Yosemite Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Tuolumne Grove and the Dead Giant
- Living Color on the Rocks
- The Fire Behind a Basket
- Cooking with Hot Stones
- 125 audio storiesacross Yosemite’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Black Bear, Peregrine Falcon, Mule Deer, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 141 trails, 99 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“We just drove through Yosemite and it made our trip listening to this app as we drove through. Like having a tour guide in the car with you.”
Trail guide
Hiking Crane Flat Lookout Trail
A steady climb to a historic towerCrane Flat Lookout Trail is a 3-mile out-and-back from the access-road gate on Big Oak Flat…
Crane Flat Lookout Trail is a 3-mile out-and-back from the access-road gate on Big Oak Flat Road to a 1931 fire lookout. It climbs about 400 to 450 feet; allow around 1½ hours. Most of the walk follows a paved service road, so go for the unusual destination and the views, not for a rugged trail. A much shorter path begins near the top of the access road after driving up; that is a different outing.
Follow the right accessThe full walk starts at the Crane Flat Lookout Road turnoff, about 0.
The full walk starts at the Crane Flat Lookout Road turnoff, about 0.8 mile west of the Crane Flat junction. Follow the paved road uphill to the upper helibase area, then take the signed visitor path to the lookout. Near the top, that short path winds through an older burn area. Views open west and north on the approach; from the lookout walkway, look east toward distant Sierra peaks.
The 1931 lookoutThis was the first fire lookout built in Yosemite, in 1931.
This was the first fire lookout built in Yosemite, in 1931. The wooden cab and wraparound balcony are the payoff for the climb, and the broad view makes this a good change of pace from the park's better-known stops. From the signed path, frame the lookout against the ridge or look east from the walkway; leave antennas and wires out of the shot without stepping into the work area.
Access and practical notesThe upper site sits beside an active fire and search-and-rescue helibase.
The upper site sits beside an active fire and search-and-rescue helibase. Stay on the signed visitor path and keep clear of operations. The park's hiking information does not clearly describe public access to the lookout or tower entry, so follow posted restrictions and turn back if access is closed. Parking at the lower gate is not well documented; do not block the access road. Pets are not allowed on Yosemite hiking trails. Crane Flat has a year-round gas station and a store in summer, but services are not at the lookout.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Yosemite
732 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,747 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
332 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
11 sightingsPeregrine FalconMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
276 sightingsPikaMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
677 sightingsYellow-bellied MarmotMost seen around 8 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Yosemite. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
