#18 Dewey Point Meadow Trail

Dewey Point sits on the south rim above Yosemite Valley, reached by a quiet out-and-back walk through McGurk Meadow that most Valley-floor visitors never attempt. The payoff is a straight-on view of El Capitan and the Valley below, with a fraction of the crowds you'd find at the more famous viewpoints.

The Hike

The trail starts at the McGurk Meadow trailhead on Glacier Point Road, about 7.6 miles from where the road splits off Highway 41. The first 1.6 miles round trip is an easy stroll to McGurk Meadow itself, past the site of a cabin once used by sheepherder John McGurk. Continuing on to Dewey Point extends the trip to roughly 8.2 miles round trip with about 750 feet of elevation gain, a 4-5 hour outing best planned as a half-day or unhurried full-day hike.

What You'll See

Early summer brings wildflowers through the meadow. At Dewey Point itself, the trail opens onto a sweeping view down onto the Valley floor with El Capitan close at hand. Hikers with energy to spare can continue along the Pohono Trail to Crocker Point, which looks out over Bridalveil Fall, and Stanford Point beyond that.

Good to Know

• Only reachable when Glacier Point Road is open, typically late May through October or November
• In winter, the route is used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing rather than hiking
• The trailhead has about 40 parking spaces and a vault toilet; overnight parking is prohibited after October 15
• Pets and bicycles are not permitted on the trail