Buena Vista Pass

Buena Vista Pass sits deep in the backcountry south of Yosemite Valley, the high point of a long loop that starts at the Chilnualna Falls trailhead near Wawona and climbs through forest and granite basins toward the Buena Vista Crest. This isn't a roadside stop or an afternoon walk -- it's a multi-day objective for backpackers who want the quiet half of the park, far from the Valley's shuttle buses and crowded viewpoints.

Getting there

The standard route starts at the Chilnualna Falls trailhead near Wawona, climbing past Chilnualna Falls and up through the Chilnualna Lakes before topping out at the pass. According to the National Park Service, the full Buena Vista Crest loop runs about 29 miles round trip with roughly 5,300 feet of elevation gain -- realistically a three- to four-day trip for most hikers. A second approach comes in from Mono Meadow or the Bridalveil Creek trailhead off Glacier Point Road, joining the same loop from the west.

What you'll find at the pass

The views open up in both directions: north toward Half Dome, Mount Starr King, and the Cathedral Range, south over Royal Arch Lake and the Wawona Valley. The surrounding basin holds a string of backcountry lakes -- Buena Vista, Royal Arch, Johnson, Crescent, and Grouse -- that make good camps for hikers spreading the loop over several nights.

Permits and planning

• Overnight stays anywhere on this loop require a Yosemite wilderness permit; the NPS notes this corner of the park sees lighter permit demand than trailheads closer to the Valley.
• Lake and creek water is available along the route but should be treated before drinking.
• This is genuine backcountry -- tell someone your route and expected return date, and carry a paper map, since cell coverage is unreliable out here.