Parking
Start from the Miguel Meadow trail access at O’Shaughnessy Dam, reached through the Hetch Hetchy entrance. Parking capacity at this access was not confirmed.
Overview
About Miguel Meadow, Lake Eleanor and Laurel Lake Loop
Why go
- Links two remote lake areas in one circuit from Hetch Hetchy.
- The mapped route returns to its starting access.
Heads up
- About 26 miles and 4,650 feet of reported climbing make for an exceptionally long day.
- Frog Creek ford conditions are unverified.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Yosemite map
Full mapElevation3,826–6,526 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
“Ahead is O'Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy, with reservoir water between steep granite walls. For a short visit, the paved dam viewpoint gives you the broad scene and waterfall views without a hike.”
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 trailhead
Hetch Hetchy and O'Shaughnessy Dam0:00 / 0:37
“Ahead is O'Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy, with reservoir water between steep granite walls. For a short visit, the paved dam viewpoint gives you the broad scene and waterfall views without a hike.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Yosemite Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- A Treefrog on El Capitan
- Smith Peak from Smith Meadows Trailhead
- Poopenaut Valley Trailhead
- Water That Works Twice
- 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 Miguel Meadow, Lake Eleanor and Laurel Lake Loop
A long Hetch Hetchy circuitThis 26.
This 26.2-mile loop starts at Miguel Meadow access by O’Shaughnessy Dam, follows the fire-road corridor toward Lake Eleanor, continues toward Laurel Lake, and returns on connected wilderness paths. Expect about 14 hours and roughly 4,650 feet of reported climbing. It is a very strenuous, remote outing; this community-described combination is not a single officially published itinerary.
Route and effortThe mapped line follows connected paths and closes at the starting access.
The mapped line follows connected paths and closes at the starting access. Community route listings differ, ranging from about 24 to 27 miles. Treat 26.2 miles as the measured length of this mapped version, carry a reliable map, and confirm junctions before setting out. The longer day and substantial climbing call for an early start and a pace matched to your group.
Creek crossing and suppliesThe mapped circuit crosses the Frog Creek area, but current ford depth and crossing conditions…
The mapped circuit crosses the Frog Creek area, but current ford depth and crossing conditions have not been verified. Check conditions before attempting the crossing and turn back if the water is unsafe. No food or water services are verified along the loop; carry enough for the full outing. The Miguel Meadows trail access has a flush toilet and drinking water.
Access and permitsMiguel Meadows is marked as a summer-only trailhead, and Hetch Hetchy entry hours are limited.
Miguel Meadows is marked as a summer-only trailhead, and Hetch Hetchy entry hours are limited. Check current access hours before planning this very long day route. Day hiking in Yosemite Wilderness does not require a wilderness permit; overnight trips require permits. Lake Eleanor is outside Yosemite in Stanislaus National Forest, so overnight plans should be checked with both land managers. Pets are prohibited on Yosemite hiking trails.
Lake Eleanor optionThe Lake Eleanor shoreline is the route’s signature payoff, with open water, wooded islands and…
The Lake Eleanor shoreline is the route’s signature payoff, with open water, wooded islands and granite slopes. If you want a shorter outing, Laurel Lake from Beehive Meadows is a separate 14.2-mile out-and-back; it does not follow this loop or start at Miguel Meadow.
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.
