Glen Aulin Trailhead
Trailhead · Yosemite corridor
Glen Aulin Trailhead sits at 8599 feet in Yosemite's Sierra Nevada corridor, accessing high-country meadows and cascades. A moderate-elevation start point with reliable access from Highway 120.
Wind averages 8 mph but can spike to 30 mph by afternoon, particularly in spring. Morning calm typically holds until 11 a.m. Temperatures range from 15 to 45 degrees year-round depending on season. Crowds remain moderate; parking fills on weekends after Highway 120 fully opens.
Over the last 30 days, Glen Aulin has averaged a NoGo Score of 18.0 with winds averaging 8 mph and temperatures around 30 degrees. The trend chart below shows the 30-day rolling history plus a 7-day forward view. Spring brings variable conditions; check wind and temperature swings before committing to a full day.
30 days back / 7 days forward
Today's score by factor
About Glen Aulin Trailhead
Glen Aulin Trailhead lies in the Yosemite corridor of the high Sierra, reached via Highway 120 from the west or northeast. The trailhead sits at 8599 feet and accesses Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp and the cascading waters of the Tuolumne River system. Primary access is the Tenaya Lake/Glen Aulin route, a well-maintained trail beginning from the parking area near Tenaya Lake. The drive from Yosemite Valley takes 1.5 to 2 hours. From the east, Highway 120 crosses Tioga Pass; from the west, approach via Highway 140 or 41 into the Valley, then north to Tioga Road. The trailhead is one of the corridor's most reliable entry points for accessing the high country and remote meadows.
Conditions at Glen Aulin shift dramatically with season and time of day. Winter temperatures regularly drop to 15 degrees or lower, with significant snow pack blocking access from November through May in most years. Spring and early summer bring thaw and variable wind; the 30-day average wind of 8 mph masks afternoon gusts that exceed 20 mph, with recorded maximums reaching 30 mph. Summer temperatures peak in the 40s Fahrenheit at elevation; afternoons turn windy and exposed. Fall conditions stabilize; temperatures drop again but winds moderate. Crowds remain modest year-round (average crowding of 13) compared to valley trailheads, though the first weekends after Highway 120 fully opens see parking pressure. Morning departures before 7 a.m. avoid the afternoon wind buildup.
Glen Aulin suits experienced hikers and backpackers planning multi-day Sierra trips. Day hikers aiming for Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp or the upper Tuolumne cascades should start early and plan to descend before 2 p.m. wind peaks. The trailhead appeals to climbers accessing remote crags and trad routes, as well as anglers targeting high-elevation trout. Expect stream crossings that are easier in late summer; spring runoff can make fords hazardous. Winter approach requires microspikes or crampons and avalanche awareness on steep snow slopes (though the trailhead itself is not in avalanche terrain). Summer smoke from the Central Valley occasionally pushes into the high country; late September and October typically offer the clearest air. Parking is limited; arrive by 8 a.m. on weekends or use weekday mornings to avoid overflow.
Glen Aulin pairs well with nearby Tenaya Lake and Cathedral Lakes trailheads, both on Highway 120 within 10 to 15 minutes. Tenaya Lake offers a lower-elevation alpine lake accessible with less elevation gain; Cathedral Lakes sits at a similar elevation but has less exposure to afternoon wind. Visitors combining multiple trailheads should plan for Highway 120 closure windows; Tioga Road typically opens in late May and closes by late October. The Glen Aulin system drains north to the Tuolumne River; hikers continuing downstream encounter more rugged, less-visited terrain. Spring snowmelt peaks in June, making stream fords difficult; stable conditions resume by mid-July.