Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows - Day and Section Hikes - page 35

during the winter months due to snow, and sometimes doesn't open until June or
July. While the first three entrances are generally open year-round, all roads are
subject to closure; check with the park service by phone at [phone] or visit
www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm to determine current conditions.
The Happy Isles trailhead is in the southeastern part of Yosemite Valley, 1 mile
past Curry Village. Backpackers may leave their cars in the parking lot south of
Curry Village near Upper Pines Campground and take the free shuttle bus to
Shuttle Stop #16. There is a parking lot at Happy Isles, but it is often full in the sum-
mer months.
If you leave a car in Yosemite Valley and need public transit to return to it,
YARTS bus service offers a shuttle from Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center back to
the Yosemite Village Visitor Center at 9:10 a.m. during the summer months. Rates
are $15 one-way; allow two hours for the journey. Call (888) 89- YARTS or visit
www.yarts.com for current rates and schedules.
To drive to Tuolumne Meadows from Happy Isles, head northwest on Big Oak
Flat Road for about 30 minutes, then turn right to take Tioga Road (CA 120) about
1 hour through the park to Tuolumne Meadows. This road is closed during snowy
conditions. The visitor center parking lot is just off Tioga Road. The park runs a
free shuttle-bus service from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. along Tioga Road from Tuolumne
Lodge to Olmsted Point from July 4 through Labor Day; the visitor center can be
found at Shuttle Stop #6. Tuolumne Meadow can also be accessed via the park's east
entrance at Tioga Pass from CA 120, as noted above.
GPS coordinates Starting trailhead HAPPY ISLES
UTM zone (WGS84) 11S
Easting 0274558
Northing 4179230
Latitude N 37°43′57.31″
Longtitude: W 119°33′31.47″
GPS coordinates Ending trailhead Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center
UTM zone (WGS84) 11S
Easting 0291463
Northing 4194284
Latitude N 37°52′18.65″
Longitude W 119°22′15.81″