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Upper Grant Lake
A remote alpine lake above Yosemite's Ten Lakes Basin, reached by scramble
About
Upper Grant Lake sits in a stark granite bowl above the main Ten Lakes Basin, in the high country north of Tioga Road. It's the higher and less-visited of the two Grant Lakes, and getting there is part of the appeal: there's no maintained trail to the upper lake itself, just an unmarked scramble up open slickrock from its lower neighbor. Expect solitude, cold clear water, and views of bare granite peaks rather than trees.
Getting There
The route starts at the Yosemite Creek/Ten Lakes trailhead on Tioga Road (CA-120), about 19.5 miles west of Tuolumne Meadows. The main Ten Lakes Trail runs 12.6 miles round trip with roughly 2,200 feet of elevation gain, cresting Ten Lakes Pass before dropping into the basin. Grant Lakes branch off via a spur trail about a mile each way below the pass — reaching Upper Grant Lake from there means another short, unmarked push over rock.
Good to Know
- Tioga Road and this trailhead are only open roughly late May/June through October or November, depending on snowpack.
- This is a full-day or overnight trip, not a casual walk — most visitors camp in the Ten Lakes/Grant Lakes basin rather than day-hiking the whole route.
- Any overnight stay requires a Yosemite wilderness permit and a bear canister.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to visit Upper Grant Lake?
Only if you're staying overnight in the wilderness. Day hikes into the Grant Lakes area don't require a permit, but any overnight camping does, along with a bear canister.
Is there a maintained trail all the way to Upper Grant Lake?
No. A spur off the Ten Lakes Trail leads to the lower Grant Lake, but reaching the upper lake requires an unmarked scramble over open granite with no maintained path.
When can I access the trailhead for this hike?
Only when Tioga Road (CA-120) is open, typically from late May or June through October or November depending on snow conditions.
How hard is the hike to Grant Lakes?
It's a serious full-day trip. The Ten Lakes Trail alone runs 12.6 miles round trip with about 2,200 feet of elevation gain, and reaching Grant Lakes adds distance beyond that.
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