Hiking Cook's Meadow Loop in Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Falls from Cook's Meadow Loop. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Cook’s Mead Loop Overview:
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Average time to hike: 1 to 2 hours stopping for views
What do you see while: Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Merced River, Sentinel Peak
Where the cook meadows loop?
Cook Meadows is located in the heart of Yosemite Valley with splendid views of Yosemite Falls.
Click here for directions to Cook Meadow
Best Season to Hike Cook Meadow:
The best seasons to enjoy this hike around Cook Meadow is during the spring season. During the spring months, the snow melts and creates a small flood filling the pond centered in Cook Meadow creating a breathtaking reflection of Yosemite Falls.
Yosemite Falls reflected in a seasonal pond while hiking Cook's Meadow Loop in Yosemite Valley. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
What can you see while hiking cook’s Meadow Loop?
During high snow years, Yosemite Valley floods creating pools of water that often reflect Yosemite Falls. While you hike the Valley Loop trail into Cook Meadow, this reflection will leave you breathless.
If you are facing Yosemite Falls, look over your right shoulder and Half Dome will be peaking out just above the treeline.
Across the Merced River, in the opposite direction from Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Peak will be standing tall.
How long is the hike to Cook Meadow Pond?
You can access this seasonal pond in Cook Meadow several different ways, but the hike, regardless of where you park, should not take more than 30 minutes. With that said, most people hiking Cook’s Meadow Loop often stop to take in the magnificent views.
The hike is 1 mile long, flat, and paved path circling Cook’s Meadow. This loop is wheel chair accessible.
The best Time of Day to hike cook’s meadow loop:
The best time of day to hike Cook’s Meadow Loop is late morning into the afternoon. During sunrise and sunset, Yosemite Falls is in the shade, so to have the best view of Yosemite Falls in full light, hike the Cook’s Meadow Loop around 9 or 10am.
What makes hiking Cook’s Meadow loop special?
Yosemite National Park is a national icon that attracts a record number of tourists annually. Luckily, most tourists enjoy their morning cup of coffee, warm shower, and time with a significant other. If you are chasing the sights, skip the shower, convince your partner to join you, and hike with your coffee to see the beautiful reflections that are abundant during a flood year in the late spring of Yosemite Valley. Most likely, you will only see a few others who brave the morning chill.