Hart Lakes

Hart Lakes sit tucked into the granite basin above Ostrander Lake, in the high country south of Yosemite Valley off Glacier Point Road. There's no maintained trail to them — you get here by following the established path to Ostrander Lake, then striking out cross-country over open granite and past a scattering of smaller tarns to reach the two lakes at roughly 8,700 feet. It's a destination for hikers comfortable navigating without a trail underfoot, and the reward is quiet: far fewer visitors than almost anywhere else in this part of the park.

Getting There

The approach follows the Ostrander Lake Trail, which starts about 9 miles down Glacier Point Road and runs 12.4 miles round trip from a trailhead near 7,000 feet up to Ostrander Lake at about 8,500 feet, with roughly 1,600 feet of elevation gain. Hart Lakes lie beyond that, off-trail — plan on map-and-compass or GPS navigation across open rock before the lakes come into view.

What to Expect

• Two lakes at elevation, ringed by granite with views back toward the surrounding peaks
• Swimmable water, though the lakebeds hold a layer of soft sediment underfoot
• Mosquitoes can be heavy in early-to-mid summer before things dry out
• Genuine backcountry solitude — not a lake you'll be sharing with a crowd

Permits and Planning

Any overnight stay here falls under Yosemite's wilderness permit system, required year-round for backcountry camping and quota-limited by trailhead, with reservations opening months in advance. Because the stretch to Hart Lakes isn't signed or maintained, this trip suits hikers who already have cross-country navigation experience rather than a first backcountry outing. Glacier Point Road itself closes seasonally for snow, so check current conditions before heading out.