Mono Meadow
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The meadow can be boggy and mosquito-thick through early July — long sleeves and bug spray are non-negotiable during snowmelt season.
The return climb gains all 900 feet in about a mile, and at 7,000-plus feet of elevation, it hits harder than you'd expect. Bring more water than you think you need for a three-mile hike.
Trail Details
- 1
The trailhead sits on Glacier Point Road about a mile past the Bridalveil Creek Campground turnoff — there's a small pullout that's easy to miss if you're not watching for it. Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends or you'll be parking on the shoulder.
- 2
Trekking poles earn their weight on the return climb. That 900-foot descent you barely noticed on the way in becomes a relentless uphill slog through loose terrain, and your knees will thank you for the assist.
- 3
Don't stop at the meadow. Push the extra half-mile to the granite viewpoint beyond — you'll get a perspective on Half Dome and Mount Starr King that rivals Glacier Point but without a single railing or gift shop in sight. Morning light hitting Starr King is especially good for photography.
