Glen Aulin and Soda Springs Trailhead

Tuolumne River on the trail to Glen Aulin

NPS Photo / W. Tsai

Quick Facts

Amenities

1 listed

Trailhead

Soda Springs

This easy hike features expansive views of Tuolumne Meadows as you walk to Soda Springs, a natural source of cold, carbonated water bubbling out of the ground. The spring is protected within a historic log enclosure. Parsons Memorial Lodge can also be reached via a short walk beyond Soda Springs. The lodge, which features historic exhibits and interpretive programs, may be open during limited hours in summer.

Distance:  1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip
Elevation gain: minimal
Time estimate: 30 minutes

Glen Aulin

This long day hike follows the Tuolumne River through meadow systems and forest as it drops to Glen Aulin. Tuolumne Fall and White Cascade are four miles from the trailhead. Several more waterfalls can be seen along the trail for hikers going past Glen Aulin. Return to the trailhead along the same route.

Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km) round-trip
Elevation gain: 800 ft (244 m) on return
Time estimate: 6-8 hours

Tips & Seasonal Information

Pets and bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails. A vault toilet is available near Parsons Memorial Lodge. For hikers going to Glen Aulin, a flush toilet may be seasonally available at the High Sierra Camp.

The trail to Glen Aulin includes several unbridged stream crossings. Early in the season, when water can be very high, cold, and swift, use caution when crossing streams or turn back when crossing is not safe.

This trailhead is only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November.

Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).

Accessibility

The first quarter mile of the dirt trail is flat, with small paved sections, however, this trail is not considered wheelchair accessible. Some of the trail is a wide gravel path while other sections are narrow, rocky, and uneven.