Murphy Creek Trail

Murphy Creek Trail follows its namesake creek through Yosemite's high country, linking Tenaya Lake to a cluster of granite-bound pools called the Polly Dome Lakes. Taken as a there-and-back from Tenaya Lake, it's a mellow, uncrowded walk; the same tread also serves as the return leg of a much bigger loop up to May Lake, so how tough your day feels depends entirely on which route you're actually hiking.

The Short Version: To Polly Dome Lakes

From the trailhead beside Tioga Road, about halfway along Tenaya Lake's north shore, it's roughly 2.5 miles one-way to Polly Dome Lakes with about 440 feet of elevation gain — an easy grade through lodgepole pine that opens onto smooth granite slickrock near the lakes. Past Polly Dome, the trail continues by McGee Lake to Glen Aulin, a 6.8-mile route backpackers use as a quieter alternative to the main Tuolumne Meadows approach.

The Long Version: Tenaya Lake–May Lake Loop

Hikers looking for more link Murphy Creek Trail with the climb to May Lake for a 10.6-mile loop with roughly 1,558 feet of elevation gain, rated a hard day out that typically takes 5 to 5.5 hours. Coming down this direction, the Murphy Creek stretch is the long, steady descent back to Tenaya Lake after the harder push up to May Lake.

Good to Know

• The trailhead is on Tioga Road at Tenaya Lake — parking fills early on summer weekends.
• Only reachable when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or June through October, weather dependent.
• Noticeably quieter than Yosemite Valley's trails — a good choice for granite and lake views without the crowds.