Getting There

Illilouette Creek can be reached via Glacier Point Road in Yosemite at the Mono Meadow trailhead. Make sure to get your wilderness permit!

The Hike

It is a moderate to difficult hike to Illilouette Creek. We traveled about 8 miles and it was not easy. We packed in and it was a more difficult hike to the area of Illilouette Creek that we made camp at. It is a mixture of up and downhill. From the trailhead at Mono Meadow, you will travel steeply downhill and through the meadow at the bottom and then up onto the next ridge and over. You will pass through an area that burned years ago and now looks like a match book forest. It is very hot in this area as there is *no* shade so beware! You will drop down into the next valley where you will meet a junction. Go towards Mono Pass or Ottoway Lakes. We traveled along this trail until we had to cross Illilouette Creek. Be prepared to cross this stream. A pair of Tevas or sandals will do. Pack them in your pack. We traveled another 5 miles or so until the trail meets the Illilouette Creek at a bend (past the second crossing). Here we found excellent fishing at Illilouette Creek.

The Fishing

The fish are biting at Illilouette Creek. They are small, but but really beautiful, Rainbows. They loved hares ear nymphs and pheasant tail nymphs with beadheads. I tied a Mayfly with dark red thread and used nice long tail lengths. It worked wonderfully! But seriously, the fish are plentiful in Illilouette Creek so any small wet fly may do. I released all fish at Illilouette Creek.

I also caught a small Rainbow on Illilouette Creek at the first crossing. They are pretty much every where on Illilouette Creek.