Cloud Chasers
Mount Hoffmann
A step beyond May Lake into rougher high-country summit terrain.
Quest challenge 5/10 · Bold Ascent
Quest estimate for the described approach: endurance, altitude, and technical terrain combined. Conditions can change the difficulty. This is not an AllTrails or climbing grade.
Meet the mountain
The approach: May Lake trailhead, then the informal summit route beyond May Lake
Summit finish: Mount Hoffmann’s summit.
A central Yosemite summit that takes you beyond the lakeside trail into rougher mountain terrain. The continuation from May Lake uses informal paths and summit scrambling. NPS has documented erosion and fragile vegetation along this approach; follow the established route carefully. May Lake is a worthwhile turnaround but does not complete the peak.
Practice careful route finding and minimize impact on fragile summit terrain.
A SUMMIT QUEST TALL TALE · FICTION
The map’s belly button
A map folded itself so enthusiastically that it declared this spot its belly button. The other peaks found that unprofessional. The map said it was simply trying to find its center.
Explore the Field Guide’s peak legends →Before you set out
Every good quest starts with a little map time. Explore these route guides and check the latest updates before setting a date.
Sources reviewed 2026-09-08. Check the links for current conditions. The approach above explains our challenge rating; logging this peak does not assign that route to your outing.
NPS Mount Hoffmann route project ↗
Informal summit route, vegetation, and erosion context.
Opens in a new tabYosemite Conservancy Hoffmann outing ↗
Park partner’s May Lake and summit itinerary.
Opens in a new tabFind AllTrails routes ↗
Search for an approach that matches your plan.
Opens in a new tabFind recent trip reports ↗
Check dates and route choices; reports do not replace current land-manager information.
Opens in a new tab“Find AllTrails routes” opens a Google search restricted to AllTrails trail pages, not a selected route. Completion is tracked in Summit Quest and does not sync with AllTrails.