May Lake
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Tioga Road typically doesn't open until late May or June and closes with the first heavy snow in October or November. Check road status before driving out — there's no alternate route to this trailhead.
The granite slabs hold snow patches well into July some years. These can obscure the trail and create slip hazards, especially on the steeper sections near the ridgeline.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
The trailhead parking lot at Snow Flat is small and fills by 10 AM on summer weekends. Arrive before 9 or after 4 to avoid circling — there's no overflow lot and the road shoulder is narrow.
Bring trekking poles or sticky-soled shoes for the granite slab sections, especially on the descent. Morning dew or late-season ice makes the rock slippery in ways that catch people off guard.
For the best photos, hike in the last two hours before sunset — the western light paints Mount Hoffmann orange and the lake turns glassy once afternoon winds die down. The High Sierra Camp dock (when open) makes a solid foreground element.
