The Sunrise Lakes Trail from Tuolomne Meadows is a moderately-to-heavily trafficked 8.8-mile out-and-back hike that is rated intermediate to difficult.
Taking about 4 to 6 hours to complete, the trail gains 1,300 feet in elevation, with 1,000 feet of that gain within a mile of rocky switchbacks that begin about 1.5 miles up the trail. The payoff for this arduous climb is that the granite-ringed Sunrise Lakes offer panoramic views. There are staggered rock platforms with at least a dozen sites ideal for overnight camping. The Sunrise Lakes are also abundant with trout, so if you're an angler, bring your fishing pole!
Along the trail and around the largely forested, high-elevation lakes, you will encounter hemlock and white pine trees and in the July to August, there are abundant wildflowers including steer’s head, buttercup, alpine laurel, ranger’s buttons, Sierra penstemon, and mountain monkeyflowers, among others.
While the trail is open year-round, accessing it during the winter months may be difficult as snow may make the trail hard to find. The trail is not recommended for children and dogs are not allowed. Water is not available along the trail, so bring bottled water or a filter. The only restrooms available are vault toilets at the trailhead.
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