The hike itself is just over a mile and while it has a steady incline throughout, it is not a steep incline.\u00a0\u00a0No fancy\u00a0gear is required – just\u00a0make sure you wear comfortable clothes and some sort of tennis shoes.\u00a0 No swimming is allowed in the lake, so no need for a swim suit.\u00a0 Bring water and food for a picnic at the lake, but if you are only going to the lake,\u00a0your caloric needs will be no where near those of Half Dome or Yosemite Falls.\u00a0 There is also a restroom at\u00a0the top, which is a recent addition.<\/p>\n
And finally, after an hour and a half drive and a 30 minute hike, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of peaceful May Lake:\u00a0<\/p>\n
The short hike is perfect for an easy backpacking trip.\u00a0 There are campgrounds at May Lake (May Lake High Sierra Camp).\u00a0 A wilderness permit <\/a>is required, which is a separate reservation system from the Yosemte campgrounds (such as Upper Pines).<\/p>\n Add an extra 4.5 miles (roundtrip) to your hike by ascending Mt. Hoffman.\u00a0 This is a great choice if you are backpacking and staying at the High Sierra Camp, but even if May Lake is a day trip, it is doable!\u00a0 We were just there to enjoy the scenery, so we opted out of the additional trek up Mt. Hoffman.\u00a0<\/p>\n May Lake is the perfect hike for a low-key Saturday in Yosemite. \u00a0Next time, I’ll stay in the area and save on the driving time to and from the valley. \u00a0Enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy hiking, but it can be hard work. \u00a0The view from the top is almost always worth it, but the steep climbs, heat, sweat, and sore legs can sometimes take away from the fun (and … Continue reading ![\"May](\"http:\/\/suitcasejournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/photo-500x162.jpg\")
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