Ten Lakes Trail

Ten Lakes Trail climbs out of Yosemite's high country to one of the park's classic granite-and-water basins, well away from the crowds on the Valley floor. From the trailhead on Tioga Road, trail guides put the round trip at about 13 miles with roughly 2,700 feet of total elevation gain. This is a full-day commitment, not a stroll, so start early.

The Route

The trail heads north from Tioga Road through conifer forest and open granite, crossing a tributary of Yosemite Creek before climbing switchbacks to Ten Lakes Pass. From the pass, the trail crosses a plateau and then descends steeply over rocky terrain into the Ten Lakes Basin, where the lake-dotted terrain opens up. If you want a shorter day, an optional route to the first Grant Lake trims about a mile off the round trip instead of continuing into the full basin. The basin also works well as an overnight base if you'd rather split the mileage into two days.

Before You Go

• Bicycles and pets are not permitted on this trail.
• Stream crossings are unbridged — early in the season, when water runs high, cold, and swift, use caution.
• Tioga Road, the only vehicle access to the trailhead, is typically open from late May or June until the first significant snowfall closes it, usually by October or November.
• Vault toilets and animal-proof food storage are available at the trailhead.