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Cook's Meadow Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (13)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. …Yosemite National Park
  5. Yosemite Valley
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“Hike through the heart of it all! ”

Brian Smith
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Map Key

1.2

Miles

1.9

KM

Lollipop

3,992' 1,217 m

High

3,961' 1,207 m

Low

31' 9 m

Up

30' 9 m

Down

1%

Avg Grade (1°)

2%

Max Grade (1°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly A flat, easy trail with views of all the best parts of the park!

The Cook's Meadow Trail is open year-round and is a great spot to visit no matter when you come to Yosemite as you are always rewarded with a great view. In winter, the path may be snow-covered or icy.

Do not venture out into the meadow, which causes trampling and damages the ecosystem, which is important to the many plants and animals that thrive in this fragile environment. Keep your food within arm's reach at all times and do not feed the wildlife. Carry out all waste.

Overview

Enjoy views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and Royal Arches from the center of Yosemite Valley as you saunter through this large open meadow.

Need to Know

Water and Restrooms are not available along the trail. Drinking fountains and bathrooms are located at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, where you may choose to end or start your walk. Additionally, a water fountain is available near the Lower Yosemite Fall restrooms.

The nearest parking is located in Yosemite Village at the day use parking area. Sentinel Bridge (shuttle stop #11) also has a small parking area, which is a midway point through this walk (and could work as a starting and ending point).

Description

This short, easy trail offers stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock. From the visitor center, hike west along the bicycle path toward Lower Yosemite Fall. At shuttle stop #6, cross the street and follow the bike path, bearing left as the path forks. At Sentinel Bridge parking area (shuttle stop #11), hike out onto the bridge to enjoy a classic view of Half Dome before returning to the parking area. Follow the boardwalk back across the meadow, cross the two streets, and turn right to return to the visitor center.

You can just as easily hike this loop in reverse; a self-guiding brochure is available in front of the visitor center describing the trail in a clockwise direction.

This trail is wheelchair accessible (when not covered in snow).

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Yosemite

Shared By:

Brian Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 13 votes

#11

in Yosemite Valley

#1343

Overall
  4.5 from 13 votes
5 Star
54%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#11

in Yosemite Valley

#208

in California

#1,343

Overall
9 Views Last Month
3,433 Since May 7, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
69%
15%
8%
0%
8%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Half Dome after the storm subsides.
Apr 11, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
Yosemite Falls from Cook's Meadow
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
Winter view of Half Dome.
Jan 20, 2016 near Yosemit…, CA
View from the trail.
May 18, 2023 near Yosemit…, CA
Half Dome over the forests of the valley
May 7, 2015 near Yosemit…, CA
View from the trail
May 18, 2023 near Yosemit…, CA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 67 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2024
Seb The Fraustralian
Nice walk and river swim
Jun 2, 2024
Madison Baker
Oct 12, 2023
Po Hung Kuo
Jul 27, 2023
Sho S
Jul 6, 2023
Pancham Parikh
Jul 3, 2023
Dan Kiselnik
May 18, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Jan 25, 2023
Jeff McCrum

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