Mount Dana Summit Trail is a 5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mariposa, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October.
backpacking
birding
hiking
nature trips
rock climbing
walking
views
wild flowers
wildlife
no dogs
A day hike to Mt. Dana, the second highest mountain in Yosemite National Park. Mt. Dana is relatively easily accessible peak and is the second highest in Yosemite National Park (Mt. Lyell is the highest one). The trail head is located right next to the east entrance of the Yosemite National Park. There are no trail markers or maps but there is an unofficial use trail to the top and is pretty easy to follow. The trail starts with an easy walk through the meadows before it starts going up through a series of switchbacks. After about 1.5 miles from the trailhead and about 1,500 feet high, you reach a flat area and the peak comes into sight. You are about half way at that point and the serious climb is about to start. After you walk across the flat area, the trail gets lost in the rocks and you have to follow your instincts and the stone cairn markers and head towards the peak. You will be hiking up loose rock and need to be careful with your footing. Once you reach the top, the views are incredible!
I did this hike 9/30/16. I only saw 4 people on the hike. It was a hard hike and Incline was fast. The day I went was windy so I brought layers. As you increased in elevation, I added layers. Make sure you bring lots of hydration. I felt like I needed more in the higher elevation. The path for the most part is fairly easy to identify. As you get towards the rocky area, the path is identified with small rocks so just follow that. There are also large cairns so head towards that. The view at the top is amazing and surreal but it was super windy the day I went so I had to make sure my footing was stable. You can see my photos above.
with a average grade of 20% (3400 feet in 3 miles), asap you hit 11500 feet, you will feel the altitude which will slow you down. surprisingly, the trail is well marked with stone crains. All the loose stones makes it difficult to hike up. this does not need any permit- thats the best part.
Beautiful trail. It gets a bit technical towards the top. It's also easy to lose the trail. very rocky. my advice is to keep the left of the ravine and keep an eye out for the rock stacks left by other hikers.
Great hike but not for first timers. Harder than it looks when you start as you begin in a nice green meadow.
Busy hike so expect not to be alone. Once on the mountain itself this is a long slog. The terrain is monotonous and does not vary. One to do in good weather as this sit on the eastern crest of the Sierra. Rewards an awesome view in all directions. Perhaps the most summited mountain in the northern Sierra!
Tried to summit Mount Dana on 7/16/2011. The trail condition was ok with some snow on it. There was a big snow field at about 1,000 feet below the summit and you need to cross it to get to the ridgeline. After it, it is all clear to the summit. The thing I really hate about the hike is those countless boulders below the summit.
Outstanding view on Mono Lake from the top