Reached from Yosemite Valley by a 60-mile drive along the steadily climbing Tioga Pass Road (Hwy-120), Tuolumne (pronounced Twa-LUM-Nay) Meadows is the highest sub-alpine meadow in the Sierra Nevadas, its 8,757-ft elevation providing views of snow-capped mountains and endless opportunities for walks and hikes.

Not only is the top-of-the-world scenery at Tuolumne Meadows quite different from that of the granite-enclosed Yosemite Valley, the tourists are far fewer, too, and many who use Tuolumne as a base are serious back country adventurers.

The roadside views are reason enough to make the journey from the valley but if you have sufficient energy (remember that these high altitudes will quickly sap your strength), call at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Centre for details of the day-long hikes in the area.