Turtleback Dome

Hiked: 4/18/2025
Distance: 1.1 miles round trip on paved road
Summit Elevation: 5280'
Elevation Gain: 350'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.2
Round trip time: 30 minutes
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks Fee or Annual Pass
Difficulty: Easy

Turtleback Dome is a short hike near the entrance to Wawoma Tunnel in Yosemite. It had zero prominence and just OK views of the Valley. The road was gated with parking for two or three vehicles. Leisa and I were the only ones there. The main reason we wanted to hike this one was because it was mentioned in an awful (but fun) 2023 Lifetime Movie called "Vanished in Yosemite". In once scene, the bad guy invites a girl to do his favorite hike in Yosemite: "Turtleback Dome". After a quick search, I found out it was an actual destination, but the entire hike was on a paved road. It was uncommon and free of tourists (except us). The ascent was half a mile and the road had a couple of switchbacks before reaching a set of communication towers. We didn't find any marks or a register. I saw another tower and more small buildings further down the ridge, but we didn't visit. We just snapped a few photos and circled the towers before heading down. It was no athletic feat, but scratched our Lifetime itch.

Best view of the Valley we could find. Mostly blocked by trees.