Aron Bosworth
This east facing view from Glacier Point looks up Tenaya Canyon, beyond Half Dome, on its rise toward Yosemite's high country.
Aron Bosworth
Tenaya Canyon drops over 4,000 feet from Tenaya Lake to the valley floor, running below the Quarter Domes, Clouds Rest, and Half Dome. This shot is taken from Olmstead Point, not far from the trailhead.
Aron Bosworth
Elevated view of the Inner Gorge.
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Tenaya Canyon's cross-country route begins shortly after leaving the trailhead.
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A narrowing streambed and steepening walls mark the beginning of Tenaya Canyon.
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A sign warns causual hikers of the terrain that lies ahead.
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The upper granite bowl. Tenaya Canyon.
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Upper granite bowl.
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The first of the forested valleys encountered on the route.
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The Lone Boulder, a key landmark for route-finding, sits on the ridge beyond the first forested valley.
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Crossing Tenaya Creek en route to Lone Boulder.
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Reaching Lone Boulder (right) with the floor of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Mount Watkins in view.
Jonathan Matthews
Descending the talus slope below the Lone Boulder, bypassing Pywiack Cascade. The optimal route heads for the second patch of brush that lies beyond the continous brushline that runs upslope. Bushwhacking is required.
Aron Bosworth
The route descends 700 feet of steep rock slab to bypass Pywiack Cascade and hugs the bushline on the descent. Route finding is criticial here, and the surrounding rock only gets steeper.
Jonathan Matthews
Descending the rock slab.
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The rock slab descent line bypasses the Pywiack Cascade terrain seen here.
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Descent of the canyon requires occasional bushwaking, as shown here below the steep slab. Aim for the tall stand-alone fir tree.
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Looking up the rock slab descent line.
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Lost Valley is the second forested valley lying between Pywiack Cascade and the Inner Gorge.
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A welcome pool located below the rock slab descent area.
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Brook trout in Lost Valley, Tenaya Creek.
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Red Edelberry (Sambucus racemosa) in Lost Valley.
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More rugged terrain beyond Lost Valley en route to the Inner Gorge.
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Approaching the Inner Gorge.
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Tenaya Creek plummets 40 feet over the ledge. This drop marks the beginning of the Inner Gorge.
Jonathan Matthews
1909 initials from a 20th-century canyon regular, S.L. Foster, found on a ledge above the first rappel point. Please do not follow suit.
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Rapping into the Inner Gorge off the first set of rappel anchors.
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Rapping into the Inner Gorge.
Jonathan Matthews
The first rappel drops 45 feet into the Inner Gorge.
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Downcanyon view with the Quarter Domes rising above.
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The second drop in the boulder-lined slot canyon is the location of the second rappel point, surmounting Leconte Boulder.
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Rapping Leconte Boulder. The right side appears to be downclimbable.
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Crystal clear pool below Leconte Boulder.
Jonathan Matthews
No shortage of boulder-hopping terrain.
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A view you have to work for.
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Once again, the going gets rough in the Inner Gorge. Bypass the drops here to the right and return to the creekbed where it flattens, keeping an eye out for the keyhole.
Jonathan Matthews
The keyhole passes underneath a mass of house-sized boulders between Leconte Boulder and the third rappel.
Aron Bosworth
Heading out on the shelf to locate the third rappel.
Jonathan Matthews
Anchor for the third rappel.
Jonathan Matthews
Rapping 70 feet into the lower section of the Inner Gorge off the third rappel.
Aron Bosworth
The third rappel.
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The lower steep sections of the Inner Gorge harbor beautiful pools. They also require some downclimbing to reach.
Jonathan Matthews
The fourth and final rappel.
Aron Bosworth
The slot canyon that just keeps on going.
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And just like that, the route emerges out of the slot canyon. The route hugs the right side of the canyon, staying in the trees.
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After a rough couple of miles navigating through forest and picking up use trails, the route connects with the Mirror Lake Loop.
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The Mirror Lake Loop Trail provides a very different perspective on Half Dome.
Aron Bosworth
Ten miles and 4,200 feet lower and later, the canyon is in the rearview.