Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point is a famous vista of the northern side of Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon and Tenaya Lake to the east from Tioga Pass off State Highway 120 in Mariposa County.

Olmsted Point is a must-do stopping point as you venture over Tioga Pass. Wander around the “erratic” boulders that are staggered around the granite slopes. These giant boulders were left when the last glacier came through.

Olmsted Point is named for landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. Olmsted was instrumental in the protection of Yosemite in 1860s, as he worked with Senator John Conness of California to designate Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove as public lands under the protection of the State. This was the first land set aside by Congress for public use and laid the foundation for what would later become the National Parks.