Gallery photos coming soon
Red Peak
The highest trail pass in Yosemite, deep in the Clark Range
About
Red Peak Pass is the highest point reached by any maintained trail in Yosemite National Park, cresting around 11,100-11,150 feet in the Clark Range. This isn't a spot you tack onto a day trip — nearly everyone who stands on it gets there as the high point of the Red Peak Pass Loop, a roughly 50-mile backcountry circuit that climbs out of Yosemite Valley through Little Yosemite Valley, past Merced Lake and Washburn Lake, before the long push up to the pass.
What the route involves
- Elevation at the pass: around 11,100-11,150 feet — the highest trail point in the park
- Typical approach: part of a roughly 50-mile loop with around 8,300 feet of cumulative elevation gain
- Common starting point: Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley
The final approach to the pass is steep and rocky, with exposed, north-facing terrain that can hold snow well into summer in a heavy year. This is a route for experienced backpackers comfortable with altitude, stream crossings, and route-finding, not a casual outing — most parties plan four to six days to do the full loop, camping at Merced Lake, Washburn Lake, or the Ottoway Lakes along the way.
Permits and planning
Because the entire route is overnight backcountry, you'll need a Yosemite wilderness permit, required year-round for any overnight stay in Yosemite Wilderness and reservable in advance through the park's permit system. Check current trail and snow conditions with the wilderness center before committing to a route and date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hike Red Peak Pass?
Yes. Any overnight stay in Yosemite Wilderness requires a wilderness permit, needed year-round and reservable in advance through the park's permit system.
Is Red Peak Pass a day hike?
Not practically. The route covers serious mileage and elevation gain in remote terrain, so nearly everyone tackles it as part of a multi-day backpacking loop instead.
Where does the route to Red Peak Pass start?
Most parties begin at Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley, heading through Little Yosemite Valley toward Merced Lake before climbing into the Clark Range toward the pass.
How difficult is the hike to Red Peak Pass?
It's considered a hard, experienced-backpacker route, with sustained elevation gain, high altitude, and loose, exposed terrain near the pass itself.
Reviews
See all on GoogleNo reviews yet for this listing.