Traditionally, JMT hikers have started their trips at either the Happy Isles or Lyell Canyon trailheads. Looking down Lyell Canyon Hiking towards Donohue Pass. Also during this same time, the NPS has noted an increase in the number of resource related impacts within the Sunrise Creek and Lyell Canyon areas. Yosemite’s current management plan has been in place for more than 25 years. The Lyell Canyon John Muir trail Once you get to the base of the Donahue Pass, you will immediately notice the significant elevation gain for the next few miles to the top of the pass. The exit quota helps restore traditional wilderness use patterns, balance access for JMT hikers with non-JMT hikers in the Yosemite Wilderness, and reduce physical and social impacts. In the southern horizon, gaze at Yosemite's highest peak Mount Lyell (13,144 ft).and Lyell Glacier--the largest in the Sierras. Lovely reflection Donahue Peak Getting closer Granite slabs below the Pass. From the Tuolumne Meadows Trailhead, we headed south the JMT through Lyell Canyon, up to Donohue pass, and then back. The trail (which was more of a series of 50 foot muddy segments … Continue reading "Donohue Pass and Lyell Canyon" Lyell Canyon, through which the serpentine Lyell Fork passes, seen shortly up the ascent toward Donahue Pass My stumbling continues, but when the ascent out of the canyon starts it necessarily slows as the trail begins crawling up and over rocks. Looking back on Lyell Canyon . Upper Lyell Forks to Shadow Lake. The climb to Donohue Pass consists of a steep section, followed by a flat-ish section, followed by another steep section. The park is implementing an exit quota over Donohue Pass as an interim solution. The sense of accomplishment comes from a couple of geographical coincidences: first, at the top of Donohue you leave Yosemite National Park—after starting in the valley you will have walked all the way out. Yes, the park wants visitors to experience Yosemite Wilderness. Lyell Canyon to Donohue Pass Backpacking John Muir Trail through Yosemite Upper basin below Mount Lyell Mount Conness North beyond Lyell Canyon, Kuna Crest to our Northeast, from just below Donohue Pass. Just before Donahue Pass: Started from Tuolumne Meadows / Lyell Canyon: 2: 10 (21) Garnet Lake: Donahue Pass: 3: 3 (24) Ediza Lake (side trip) Ediza Lake is 2 miles off the JMT. One of the hiking gems in Yosemite’s high country is the Lyell Canyon Trail, which extends for almost eight miles from the Yosemite Valley Lodge to the base of Donohue Pass at the southeast border of the park. For 13 kilometers (8 statute miles) most of the canyon has an approximate elevation of 2 700 meters (8,850 feet), and then rapidly climbs to 3 370 meters (11,056 feet) to Donohue Pass, below Donohue Peak – which marks the eastern boundary of Yosemite. On Day 24 of my NOBO JMT hike, I leave Thousand Island Lake and climb Island Pass, Donahue Pass end end in Lyell Canyon in Yosemite. Lyell Fork runs rapid here, so filtering water required extra caution. Lovely reflection Donahue Peak Getting closer Granite slabs below the Pass. Lyell Canyon trailhead: Permits for 25 people, with 60% (15) available by reservation and 40% (10) available on a first-come, first-served basis. Lyell Canyon trailhead is on Tuolumne Lodge Road off 120 in the meadows. From 2011 to 2015, there has been a 100% increase in JMT permits requested. The park is implementing an interim management solution to address increased demand for JMT permits until a more holistic and comprehensive approach can be developed through a larger planning effort. The goal of the exit quota is to restore traditional wilderness use patterns, balance access for JMT hikers with access for non-JMT hikers in the Yosemite Wilderness, and reduce physical and social impacts. 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