Parking
Start at Lake Eleanor Trailhead off Forest Route 1N14. The Cherry Lake Dam gate’s listed seasonal window is April 15–December 15; confirm road access outside that period.
Overview
About Kibbie Lake Trail
Why go
- A climbable granite dome makes a memorable stop before the lake.
- The Huckleberry Trail return adds new views instead of retracing the whole route.
Heads up
- Nearly 12 miles with about 2,500 feet of climbing.
- Several stream crossings and only average route signage.
Kibbie Lake Trail is an 11.9-mile loop from Lake Eleanor Trailhead to Kibbie Lake and back on a different trail. Allow 6 to 7.5 hours and roughly 2,500 feet of climbing. It’s a hard day in Yosemite’s northwestern backcountry, not a quick lakeshore stroll. Do it if you want a full day in granite country; skip it if you’re looking for an easy approach.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs this the long lake hike for you?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Yosemite map
Full mapElevation5,020–7,011 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
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 tour- 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
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Trail guide
Hiking Kibbie Lake Trail
The lake approachFrom Lake Eleanor, the route climbs gradually through woodland and past granite outcrops.
From Lake Eleanor, the route climbs gradually through woodland and past granite outcrops. A climbable dome makes a good stop for a broad wilderness view and lunch. Near Kibbie Lake, it reaches creekside pools below granite bluffs and pines. The lake basin is the payoff, but you earn it with a long approach.
A different way homeReturn on the Huckleberry Trail instead of retracing the whole approach.
Return on the Huckleberry Trail instead of retracing the whole approach. It brings intermittent views toward the Sierra Nevada before descending through forest. Several snowmelt stream crossings break up the way back. Route signage is average, and the lake area can be confusing to navigate, so keep an offline map ready at the junctions.
Access and overnight rulesLake Eleanor Trailhead is off Forest Route 1N14.
Lake Eleanor Trailhead is off Forest Route 1N14. The Cherry Lake Dam gate is listed open April 15–December 15, so check the access season before planning a trip. The short link from the vehicle approach to the mapped trail is approximate; confirm that connection before setting out. The route enters Yosemite wilderness, where dogs aren’t allowed. Overnight stays require a free wilderness permit from Stanislaus National Forest; the Lake Eleanor entry quota is 10 people per day, and overnight hikers need a bear canister.
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.
