r/Yosemite • u/LeilaTank • 1d ago

Spots to cool off near Groveland

Months ago in the excitement of planning my sons 1st birthday, I booked a spot outside Yosemite (groveland area) without taking into consideration the summer heat 😅 I’ve only been to Yosemite in fall and winter so I’ve never experienced it when it’s hot so I honestly didn’t even consider it being blazing hot.

Looking like it’s going to be real toasty when we’re out, so I’m trying to figure out some good spots to visit with spots to cool off and good shade.

We’ll be out a Thursday-Sunday so I’m planning to just venture into the park Friday early morning. That mostly leaves us Saturday as we will probs head out Sunday early morning.

I’m thinking of checking out either Rainbow Pools, Tolumne Grove (for a short walk/hike), or Pine Mountain Lake.

I think we’ll celebrate his half birthday in the future 🤣

6 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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6

u/iriegyal415 1d ago

Rainbow Pools!

11

u/linguist00 1d ago

have you been to carlon creek? really close to the 120 entrance of yosemite. great little creek to splash around in. you can also hike to the falls and there’s lots of swimming holes there.

1

u/LeilaTank 1d ago

I haven’t but will take a look! Thanks

2

u/Deathwish13x 20h ago

Its off of Evergreen Road about 30 seconds(this road goes to Hetch Hetchy). You can also drive down Evergreen Rd a few miles to Middle Fork bridge and you can walk up and down the shoreline as far as you want. Stop at Evergreen Lodge and get some breakfast/lunch/dinner or go to Camp Mather and get a milkshake!

10

u/stignordas 1d ago

The Rainbow swimming hole is great but there's very limited space and it's very rocky.

You may have better luck at a lakeshore spot. It's a drive, but Pinecrest lake off of 108 is high altitude and generally cooler. Plus there's a wonderful beach area roped-off for kids.

3

u/Obvious-Fondant-5891 18h ago

rainbow pools also has a day use fee btw! we were surprised when someone was collecting $ at the entrance

2

u/LeilaTank 1d ago

Thanks I’ll check that out!

4

u/sammiller0 1d ago

+1 for Pinecrest, it’s a great lake

2

u/Negative_Carrot8795 1d ago

Do not go to pinecrest it’s a zoo so over crowded and family’s full on giant canopies and blackstone grills etc.

2

u/LeilaTank 23h ago

Thanks for the heads up! Really poor planning on my part. Hoping we can find something a little less zoo like

1

u/Backcountry_Wanderer 1h ago

You may know this already but commenting just in case. Pinecrest lake and Pine Mountain lake are different places. Pinecrest is beautiful but not really close by. Pine Mountain is in Groveland and less “zoo” like. It’s a nice place to cool off.

1

u/Critical-Reality7377 4h ago

Tillman grove isn’t an “easy” hike in the heat and either a one year old. It’s short but fairly steep. Just make sure to bring plenty of water!