Ostrander Lake Trailhead

Ostrander Lake Trailhead sits off Glacier Point Road and leads to one of Yosemite's classic backcountry destinations: a 12-mile round-trip hike to an 8,500-foot alpine lake with a historic stone ski hut on its shore. The route gains 1,500 feet over its length, and the National Park Service estimates 8 to 10 hours for the full round trip.

What the Trail Is Like

The first half is easy going — the path climbs gently through forest and meadow, crossing ground that burned in a 1987 lodgepole pine fire and has since grown back in. The character changes near the end: the trail turns steep for its final push, rewarding hikers with open views of granite peaks, Mount Starr King, and the Clark Range before dropping down to the lake.

Ostrander Lake and the Ski Hut

At trail's end, Ostrander Lake sits at roughly 8,500 feet in a glacial cirque. On its shore stands the Ostrander Ski Hut, a two-story stone building built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and still in use today — the Yosemite Conservancy maintains it as a shelter for backcountry skiers during the winter touring season.

Getting There and Restrictions

• The trailhead is only reachable when Glacier Point Road is open, typically late May through October or November
• Overnight parking at the trailhead is prohibited after October 15
• In winter (mid-December through March), the route becomes a cross-country ski trip out of Badger Pass, when the ski area is operating
• Pets and bicycles are not permitted on the trail
• A vault toilet and animal-proof food storage are available at the trailhead