Floor elevation 8,850 feet (2,700 m) | Long-axis length 8 miles (13 km) | |
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Similar Donohue Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, Sierra Nevada, Mount Lyell, Thousand Island Lake | ||
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.
Map of Lyell Canyon, California 95389, USA
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. The trail is popular for hikers as an easy way to view surrounding mountains, a waterfall and Sierra wildflowers.