3. Ragged Peak - Tuolumne Meadows area

3. Ragged Peak - Tuolumne Meadows area
Trailhead Parking 1 (THP1)- This parking area is located just east of the bridge over the Tuolumne River and
on the north side of Tioga Road. Parking for Lembert Dome is also found here. You may prefer to park further
from Tioga Road, closer to the stables, which are found at the end of this parking area.
If you are camping at the Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp, you may wish to take this ride from camp,
rather than moving your trailer. This will add approximately 4 miles to your ride. Below is a detail map
of the Tuolumne Meadows area. The Horse Camp is located near the star. If you ride out on the route
marked in purple, you will meet the trail described below above the switchbacks on the map. You could
then ride the route marked in black on your return trip.
Mileages are from trail
junction to trail junction
switchbacks
THP 1
1.4 miles
1.4
Ragged Peak Loop
Distance from Trailhead Parking 1: approximately 11 miles round trip, additional 3 miles if including
Young Lakes
Distance from Tuolumne Meadows horse camp: approximately 15 miles round trip, additional 3 miles if
including Young Lakes
Elevation change: 8,600 ft, - 10,000 ft.
Best time of year: July - October
Difficulty Rating: 3
The Tuolumne Meadows area trails are spectacular. The high elevation scenery, with dramatic peaks,
turquoise blue streams, and mountain meadows is sure to please. Tuolumne Meadows sits at 8,600
feet in elevation. It is recommended to give your horse a chance to acclimate before riding any
seriously strenuous trails. This article will detail one ride, and then offer some other suggestions of rides
in the area.
To begin this ride at Trailhead Parking 1, as described on page 1, ride up through the parking lot, toward
the stables, which are found at the end of the lot. Prior to reaching the stables, you will find a spur trail
on your right, which will lead to the main trail to Dog Lake. You can also begin at the trailhead closer to
Tioga Road, which is signed for Lembert Dome and Dog Lake. Once on the main trail, your trail will take
you steeply uphill, switchbacking through a lodgepole pine forest. This is a strenuous climb, so breaks
are usually in order for the horse, particularly since the trail gives little chance to acclimate before
climbing. In 1.3 miles you will reach an intersection. The trail on your right is the trail riders coming
from the Tuolumne Meadows horse camp will be travelling.
For those riders beginning at the Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp, ride from camp toward the Tuolumne
Lodge. Follow any signs you see for Dog Lake. You will cross the Twin Bridges over the Tuolumne River,
heading north. Many people ride these bridges, but some find it more comfortable to lead across the
bridges. Between the two bridges is a rock to cross. There is a hollow spot in the rock which collects water
and looks dark. Some horses might balk at this dark patch, and there is not a lot of maneuvering room on
the rock.
Twin Bridges
Rock between the bridges,
with a hollow spot which
collects water.
After crossing the bridges, bear left at the first trail junction, toward Yosemite Lodge. You will cross one
more bridge. After crossing the bridge, bear left at the next trail junction. Do not head toward the lodge.
At the next trail junction, bear right, toward the backpacker’s parking lot. Pick up the trail at the far end of
the parking lot, cross Tioga Road, and climb .5 miles through the lodgepole pine forest. You will be
following signs to Dog Lake. The next trail junction will offer a choice of left, to Lembert Dome to the west,
and straight to Dog Lake. Follow the trail toward Dog Lake. In .9 miles you will reach yet another
intersection where you will turn right, toward Dog Lake. You have now reached the intersection described
on page 2.
Riders from both trailhead areas are now travelling the same route. In .3 mile you will arrive at Dog Lake.
Take the short side trail to the lake. Dog Lake is good sized, with meadows around the shoreline with plenty
of grass. You will find a dramatic vista of the high peaks at the Sierra Crest.
Dog Lake
Happy horses at Dog Lake
Once you have enjoyed Dog Lake, return to the main trail and head north, to your right. You will now wind
your way higher yet. In approximately a mile you will reach scenic Delaney Meadow, where you will cross
Delaney Creek, an easy creek crossing. In the introduction to the high country rides, it was mentioned that
there is typically a period of a couple weeks when mosquitos can be a real nuisance. Delaney Meadow is
an area that can be problematic for these pests if you happen to ride here during this short time when
mosquitos are a problem. Delaney Meadow is a beautiful spot, with Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs beyond.
Delaney Meadow
Once across Delaney Meadow, your climb continues until at last you reach the high point of your ride,
below Ragged Peak. You will have climbed over 800 feet since leaving Dog Lake. You now will be riding
through a very high meadow, with stunted trees, and little streamlets of snow melt. Your views to the
south and east are spectacular. You can see the highest peaks of this part of the Sierra crest from this
section of trail.
The Cathedral Range
Once across this high elevation meadow, you will reach a trail intersection. If you wish to travel to Young
Lakes, turn right, to the north. Your trail will wind around Ragged Peak, where you will find the lakes in 1.5
miles. Retrace your route back to this point once you have enjoyed the lakes.
What goes up, must go down. You will now begin your downward descent to the Tuolumne Meadows
area. In the next 3.7 miles, you will descend over 1,000 feet. This pleasant trail will cross Dingley Creek
and gradually take you back to the level of the Tuolumne River. There will be some rocky expanses to
cross, but nothing that is problematic. At the next trail intersection, bear left. You will likely now meet
many hikers, as this is part of the route to popular Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp. If you began your ride at
Trailhead Parking 1, bear left at the next intersection, and follow the trail back to the stables and the
parking lot. If you started your ride at Tuolumne Meadows Horse Camp, bear right at Soda Springs, and
cross the bridge over the Tuolumne River. Follow this trail another .5 miles to Tioga Road, cross the road,
and bear left toward the campground.
Heading back toward the horse
camp, Unicorn Peak
I’m sure you will have many fond memories of this pleasant loop ride. This is a great ride for spectacular
scenery, without knuckle-biting rock ledges and slippery slopes.