Parking
There is no roadside lot for this spur. Its start is the PCT junction near Smedberg Lake; plan to reach it as part of a longer northern Yosemite backcountry route. The approach is outside the 4.06-mile total.
Overview
About Rodgers Lake Trail
Why go
- Granite slabs and a broad high-country lake at the end.
Heads up
- The 4.06 miles exclude the remote wilderness approach to the PCT junction.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Yosemite map
Full mapElevation9,167–9,780 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.
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Trail guide
Hiking Rodgers Lake Trail
The lake spurThis is a 4.
This is a 4.06-mile round trip from the Pacific Crest Trail junction near Smedberg Lake to Rodgers Lake and back on the same 2.03-mile spur. The path crosses a small saddle, then descends to a broad high-country lake with granite slabs along the shore. Allow about 2.5 hours on the spur itself; that does not include reaching the PCT.
Reaching the startTreat this as a side trip within a longer northern Yosemite itinerary.
Treat this as a side trip within a longer northern Yosemite itinerary. The junction is a backcountry access point, not a road-side trailhead or parking lot, and the mileage starts there. Overnight stays in Yosemite Wilderness require a permit year-round; day hikes do not require one unless you are hiking Half Dome. Pets are not allowed on this trail or elsewhere in the wilderness.
Across the saddleFrom the PCT, the named path heads over a small saddle and drops toward the lake.
From the PCT, the named path heads over a small saddle and drops toward the lake. Skunk-cabbage meadows and a small vernal pool lie near the lower approach. The return retraces the same corridor, climbing back to the junction.
At the waterThe lake is broad, with smooth granite on its lee shore.
The lake is broad, with smooth granite on its lee shore. A small pool nearby has reflected Regulation Peak; when it holds still water, that is a second, tighter view to look for. From the shoreline slabs, frame the water against the granite basin above it.
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.
