A collection of travel and adventure stories

Yosemite-Lake Tenaya Kayaking

Description and Directions >>

Description:
Lake Tenaya is located in Yosemite National Park. The park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California. This lake offers views of beautiful glacier carved granite cliffs and forested shores. There is a picnic and beach area on the lake, where you can launch kayaks.

Activities:
kayaking, hiking, picnicking, sightseeing

Directions:
Depending on your location, enter Yosemite National Park via highway 120, 140 or 41. Once in the park, head to Tenaya Lake via Tioga Road (highway 120).

Story Date 10/8/2004
Publish Date 11/18/2004

Story Perspectives >>

According to Mikala: Paddling Lake Tenaya was definitely worth the long drive. First of all, the views on the drive and through Yosemite Valley are just magnificent! As you get closer to the lake, you catch a glimpse of it as you round the corner. Granite mountains and pine trees surround the lake.

We arrived at the lake in the afternoon. We launched from a picnic area and decided to paddle in a clockwise direction. The wind was somewhat strong, but nothing we couldn't handle. We were the only people on the lake. There were a few people along the shore, but we soon lost sight of these as we paddled further on. I am always amazed when we are by ourselves on something so beautiful. On the other hand, I am always very grateful that we are.

We paddled to a nice beach and landed for some great photo opportunities. We continued our paddle along the shore. Sometimes, I would just float in the water and look around to marvel at the enormous mountains. This is one of my favorite times...to be gliding in the water and content with a very pretty view.

We continued our exploration of the other end of the lake, where we got to paddle through large boulders. There is another rocky beach to land on. As we continued back to our put-in, we passed the sandy shore that is accessible from the highway. There are a few picnic tables along this area, and we stopped to have a bite to eat. It was getting chillier, and we knew the sun would be going down soon. We reluctantly returned to our car for the drive back to Oakhurst.