Elizabeth Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through September at this elevation. If you see clouds building over the peaks, head down — exposed granite near the lake is no place to be when lightning starts.
This trail sits above 8,600 feet. If you drove up from the valley floor that morning, the altitude can sneak up on you. Take the climb slower than you think you need to and hydrate before you're thirsty.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The trailhead is tucked inside Tuolumne Meadows Campground near site B49 — not at the main parking lot. If you're not camping, park along the Tioga Road shoulder and walk in. Signage is minimal, so load the trailhead coordinates before you lose cell service.
Start before 9 AM to claim a primo lakeside perch. By midday the shore gets crowded with day hikers and the afternoon thunderstorms start building over Unicorn Peak. Early starters get mirror-calm reflections and solitude.
The granite slabs on the lake's north shore are the money spot for photography — Unicorn Peak frames perfectly with the lake in the foreground. Late afternoon light rakes across the peak's face if you time a second visit, but morning is better for reflections.
