Tamarack Flat Trailhead

Tamarack Flat Trailhead sits at Tamarack Flat Campground off Tioga Road, reached by a narrow, three-mile access lane with tight hairpin turns — RVs and trailers should skip it entirely. From this quiet, easy-to-miss trailhead, routes climb onto the north rim of Yosemite Valley, linking up with some of the park's biggest names: the top of El Capitan, Eagle Peak, and the summit of Yosemite Falls.

What the Trails Connect To

Unlike the crowded valley-floor approaches, these are backcountry routes through forest and open granite before reaching the rim. The Tamarack Flat to Yosemite Creek route is rated a hard hike, running roughly 22 miles round trip with over 5,000 feet of elevation gain, so it's built for strong, well-prepared hikers rather than a casual afternoon out. Shorter options exist for hikers headed only partway before turning back.

Getting There and Planning

• Access road: narrow, single-lane, hairpin turns; not recommended for RVs or trailers
• Season: tied to Tioga Road and the campground's opening, typically mid-to-late June through early October, weather permitting
• Permits: day hikes need none, but any overnight stay along these routes requires a wilderness permit

Safety Near the Rim

If your route tops out near Yosemite Falls or El Capitan's edge, stay well back from the lip and out of the water above the falls — Yosemite's granite gets slick and rounded, and currents near drop-offs have caused real drownings. Admire the exposure from solid ground, not from the rock right at the edge.