Unicorn Peak

South of Tuolumne Meadows, Unicorn Peak rises to 10,823 feet as one of the recognizable summits in Yosemite's Cathedral Range, just east of the far more crowded Cathedral Peak. It's a quieter objective for experienced hikers willing to trade a maintained trail for some off-trail scrambling — the reward is a Class 3-4 finish and views stretching across Tuolumne Meadows to Cathedral Peak, the Cockscomb, and Matthes Crest.

The Route

The hike starts near the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, off Tioga Road, and follows the Elizabeth Lake Trail — a maintained path that reaches the lake in roughly 5 miles round trip. Past Elizabeth Lake, the trail ends and hikers pick their own line up open granite slabs and talus toward the summit block. Trip reports put the full round trip to the top at roughly 8 miles, with somewhere around 2,200 to 3,000 feet of total elevation gain depending on the exact line taken.

Not a Casual Hike

• Scrambling required: the final push to the true summit involves Class 3-4 moves on exposed granite — solid footwear and route-finding experience matter more than trail mileage.
• No trail past Elizabeth Lake: expect cross-country travel over talus and slab.
• Afternoon storms: like most exposed Sierra summits, plan to be off the rock before typical midday thunderstorm buildup in summer.

Permits and Access

Because this is a day trip rather than an overnight stay, no wilderness permit is required — Yosemite only mandates permits for overnight wilderness camping (and, separately, for Half Dome day hikes). Access depends on Tioga Road being open and the high country being clear of snow, so Unicorn Peak is realistically a summer-into-fall objective only.