Glen Aulin is a very popular trail and camp spot but just beyond that there is a hidden gem in Yosemite - The Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne - it’s a 33 or so mile trek that follows the Tuolumne river with waterfalls, granite walls, bears and rattlesnakes. We set off in late July of 2021 from smoky White Wolf where there was an active fire, but quickly dropped into the canyon with blue skies. We spent 4 days meandering through the canyon and along the river and through Glen Aulin to finish at beautiful Tuolumne Meadows.
The route features many waterfalls and swimming holes, best trafficked from late spring to early fall. Yosemite is one of my favorite parks and this area of it is truly jaw-dropping, as it quickly changes from every ecosystem. You’ll hike on a granite rock trail then meander into a sequoia forest, to an aspen grove, to a rattlesnake desert all in just a few miles. This route follows the Tuolumne River through a deep canyon that leads from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to Tuolumne Meadows. Much of the canyon is only accessible via backpacking or very long day hikes, so you are likely to get away from the crowds during this trek. We only saw a handful of backpacking while we were out there.