Ireland Lake Trail

Ireland Lake Trail is a 19.8-mile out-and-back from Lyell Canyon Trailhead to Ireland Lake and back. The first miles follow the John Muir Trail through Lyell Canyon; at Ireland Creek, a signed branch climbs into open, boulder-strewn meadows and a high lake basin. Allow about nine hours. With roughly 2,400 feet of climbing and the lake near 10,800 feet, this is a hard day, even though the canyon approach is mostly gentle. If you want the broad Lyell Canyon meadows without the final climb, the shorter walk from this same start is about 11.4 miles round trip.

Start at the signed Dog Lake / John Muir Trail parking and follow the JMT south. Cross Dana Fork, rise over a small wooded shoulder, and reach Lyell Fork’s twin bridges. A meadow follows, then about a mile of trees before the canyon opens into long, grassy meadows. Look east toward Kuna Crest and Mount Lyell; the first part is mostly gentle walking, so save your legs for the climb at Ireland Creek.

Just before Ireland Creek, take the signed right branch. It switchbacks uphill beside the creek through forest, then keeps climbing after leaving the water. The marker is reported to say 3 miles to Ireland Lake, but route descriptions measure about 1.6 miles from this turn. The forest gives way to boulder-strewn alpine meadows, with Amelia Earhart Peak opening to the southeast. Roll over the last low rise and the lake appears.

The trail reaches a meadowed shoreline below a crumbling rock wall on the far side. This is Yosemite’s granite high country, shaped by glacial erosion; the boulders and rounded basin are part of the payoff. For a photo, keep some shoreline or meadow in the foreground so the far wall has scale.

Tioga Road is seasonal, so check its status before driving to the signed parking area off the Tuolumne Lodge access road. Day hikers do not need a wilderness permit; overnight stays do. Pets are prohibited on Yosemite trails. No on-route food, toilets, or potable-water source was confirmed, so plan for a self-supported day.