Gibbs Lake Trail

Gibbs Lake sits in a quiet basin between Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs, reached by a steady 2.7-mile climb through pine slopes and along Gibbs Creek in the Ansel Adams Wilderness — technically outside Yosemite's boundary, but close enough to fold into a Tioga Pass day. The approach is part of the work: the trailhead sits at Upper Horse Meadow, at the end of a rough dirt road off Highway 395 about two miles south of Lee Vining, and that road is currently closed short of its usual endpoint, with only two parking spots available at the closure.

What to Expect

The trail climbs steadily along the creek, and the final stretch can be easy to lose if you're not reading the terrain carefully. This is unmaintained backcountry tread, not a groomed park trail, so sturdy footwear and a map or GPS track are worth carrying. Some hikers push on past Gibbs Lake toward Kidney Lake for a longer day out.

Permits and Backcountry Rules

• Day hikes require no permit.
• Overnight trips need a wilderness permit, with a quota of 8 people per day from May 1 through November 1, and group size capped at 15.
• Bear-resistant food storage is required, and campfires are banned above 10,000 feet.
• Treat all water from creeks, lakes, and springs before drinking.

This is also occupied Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep habitat, so keep your distance and noise down if you spot one. For current road and trail conditions, call the Mono Basin Visitor Center at 760-647-3044 before you head out.