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Quartz Mountain
A remote trailhead into Yosemite's high country, far from the crowds.
About
Quartz Mountain Trailhead is a Sierra National Forest access point into Yosemite's southern backcountry, reached via a long drive out of Oakhurst rather than anything near the valley floor. This is not a casual afternoon walk — it's the starting point for multi-day trips into the high country beyond Chiquito Pass, and the approach alone filters out anyone not prepared for it.
Getting There
From Oakhurst, Sky Ranch Road runs roughly 25 miles to the trailhead, starting as paved road and turning to graded USFS dirt (Road 10) for the back half. The final turn onto the Quartz Mountain Spur (6S10LA) is easy to miss — there's no large trailhead sign, so watch your mileage. Plan on close to two hours of driving each way.
The Trail and What's Beyond It
The Quartz Mountain Trail itself is short, about one mile to Chiquito Pass at the Yosemite National Park boundary. From there, established routes continue into the park: Chain Lakes is about 5.7 miles from the trailhead (roughly 1,200 feet of elevation gain over a 12-mile round trip), and Ottoway Lakes is about 15.4 miles in. Both are backpacking distances for most hikers, not day-trip ones.
Permits and Practical Info
- Overnight stays in the wilderness beyond the park boundary require a wilderness permit, booked through recreation.gov.
- Sierra National Forest splits trailhead quotas 60/40: 60% by advance reservation up to six months out, 40% first-come, first-served two weeks before entry.
- Reservations carry a $6 non-refundable booking fee plus $5 per person.
- Questions go to the Sierra National Forest office at 57003 Road 225, North Fork, CA — (559) 877-2218, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Quartz Mountain Trailhead from Oakhurst?
Take Sky Ranch Road out of Oakhurst for about 25 miles — paved at first, then graded Forest Service dirt (Road 10) — and turn onto the Quartz Mountain Spur (6S10LA) near the end. The turn is poorly marked, so track your mileage. Expect close to two hours of driving each way.
Do I need a permit to hike here?
A wilderness permit is only required for overnight stays in the wilderness beyond Chiquito Pass, not for a day hike on Forest Service land. Overnight permits are reserved through recreation.gov, with 60% of the quota available up to six months in advance and the rest first-come, first-served two weeks out.
How far is Chain Lakes from the trailhead?
About 5.7 miles one way, with roughly 1,200 feet of elevation gain over a 12-mile round trip, according to Sierra National Forest's trail data — a full day or overnight trip for most hikers, not a quick outing.
Is this a good trail for a first-time visitor to the area?
Not really — it's a low-traffic backcountry access point, not a maintained day-hike destination near the valley floor. It suits hikers and backpackers who already know what they're doing and want solitude over convenience.
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