Lyell Canyon
| Lyell Canyon | |
|---|---|
|
Looking down into Lyell Canyon from the John Muir trail | |
| Floor elevation | 8,850 feet (2,700 m) |
| Long-axis length | 8 miles (13 km) |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 37°51′50.736″N 119°18′6.55″W / 37.86409333°N 119.3018194°WCoordinates: 37°51′50.736″N 119°18′6.55″W / 37.86409333°N 119.3018194°W |
Lyell Canyon is a sub-alpine meadow in Yosemite National Park south of Tuolumne Meadows. For 13 kilometers (8 statute miles) most of the canyon has an approximate elevation of 2 700 meters (8,850 feet), and then rapidly climbs to 3 370 meters (11,056 feet) to Donohue Pass – which marks the southern boundary of Yosemite. The valley at the base is relatively flat and wide, following Lyell creek through an open meadow and wooded areas. Lyell creek eventually meets with Tuolumne river.[1]
The canyon as well as Mount Lyell to the west is named after Charles Lyell, a well-known 19th century geologist and friend of Charles Darwin.
The canyon is an easy hike from Tuolumne Meadows campground. The John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail both route through the canyon.[2] The trail is popular for hikers as an easy way to view surrounding mountains, a waterfall and Sierra wildflowers.
External links
References
- ↑ Cary, Russ. "Lyell Canyon". Yosemite Hikes. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ↑ "John Muir Trail: Yosemite National Park Section". hikejmt.com. Retrieved July 22, 2014.