Elizabeth Lake Trail Map

The red line shows the trail itself from beginning to end, omitting (though you won't want to yourself) the bit that circles the lake. It's 2.3 miles (3.7 km) from the trailhead to lake's edge. The trail ascends 900 feet (270 meters) to the lake, with most of that coming on the first half of the hike as you climb out of the Tuolumne Meadows basin.

The green line shows the road through the Tuolumne Meadows campground to the trailhead, which lies at the campground's far edge. If you're a veteran of Yosemite trails, you'll be stunned to find that the bathroom at the trailhead has plumbing and (usually) even soap. You'll be further spoiled by the discovery of not just a snack/gift shop, vending vital postcards and ice cream, but also a restaurant less than a mile away along the Tioga Road, eagerly waiting to reward you for a day's hike well done. They close early in the evening, though, so if you're photographing the sunset on Elizabeth Lake, they'll be shut down by the time you return. If your heart's set on a post-hike Häagen Dazs, we suggest checking today's closing time before you start your hike.