Smith Peak Trail

Smith Peak rises above the shore of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir as the high point of that whole basin, and the trail to its summit is one of the more demanding, least-crowded day hikes in Yosemite's northern reaches. It's a long climb rather than a stroll — plan for a full day or an overnight, and go in for solitude and sustained effort rather than a quick view.

On the Trail

• Distance: About 12.9 miles round trip (out-and-back)
• Elevation gain: Roughly 3,500 feet
• Difficulty: Hard, typically 7.5 to 8.5 hours

The route climbs steadily through forest and meadow, steepest in its first couple of miles. Stretches of trail see light use and can be faint underfoot, so carry a map or downloaded GPS track rather than counting on signage. The summit opens onto views north into Yosemite's remote high country and back down over Hetch Hetchy itself.

Getting There and Planning

The trailhead sits near the Hetch Hetchy entrance gate, with additional parking at Hetch Hetchy Campground just to the north. Many hikers stretch the route into an overnight rather than a single push — a wilderness permit is required for any overnight stay. Snow can linger at elevation into late spring, so April through September is the dependable window for this one.