The Ten Lakes Trail climbs through the high country north of Tuolumne Meadows to a collection of granite-ringed lakes at the headwaters of Yosemite Creek. It's a steady grind up to Ten Lakes Pass, then a descent into a basin where you can pick your lake and claim a granite slab for the afternoon. The trail gets you into legitimate backcountry without requiring advanced route-finding skills.
Trail Details
- 🏃Activities
- Hiking
- 📊Difficulty
- Hard
- 🔁Trail Type
- out and back
- 📏Distance
- 12.6 miles
- ⬆️Elevation Gain
- 2,200 ft
- 📍Location
- CA
- 🐕Dogs Allowed
- No
- 💵Fee
- Free
Overview
This is high Sierra granite country at its most straightforward. The trail follows a clear path through conifers and across polished stone, climbing steadily toward Ten Lakes Pass at the divide between Yosemite Creek and the Tuolumne drainage. Once you crest the pass, the landscape opens into the kind of granite basin that makes the Sierra distinctive: a collection of lakes scattered across slabs and ledges, each one slightly different in character.
The route attracts hikers looking for a solid workout and a payoff that feels remote without being technically demanding. You'll share the trail with backpackers heading deeper into the wilderness, but day hikers can make the round trip in 7-9 hours with time to explore the basin.
What to Expect
The trail maintains a steady but manageable grade for the first four-plus miles, winding through forest and crossing granite sections that give you glimpses of what's ahead. You'll skirt the western edge of Half Moon Meadow before the trail steepens into switchbacks that lift you to Ten Lakes Pass.
At the five-mile mark, the trail forks. The main route descends 693 feet into the Ten Lakes basin, where you can explore multiple lakes connected by granite benches and ledges. A one-mile spur drops toward Grant Lakes if you want to add more water to your day.
The granite terrain means stream crossings without bridges. Early season brings higher, swifter water that can make crossings challenging or unsafe. The rock can also be slippery when wet, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
From Ten Lakes Pass, you get views across the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River toward the Sierra Crest. The basin itself sits in a granite bowl that captures the essential character of the high Sierra: clean stone, clear water, and the kind of quiet that makes you understand why people plan their lives around getting back here.
Tips & Logistics
The trailhead sits on Tioga Road, 20 miles east of Crane Flat and about 5 miles east of the White Wolf turnoff. Parking fills up on weekends and popular summer days; the lots hold around 30 cars total. No overnight parking is allowed on Tioga Road, which limits your options for early starts.
Tioga Road controls access here completely. The road typically closes in November with the first significant snow and doesn't reopen until late May or June. Even when open, snow can linger on the trail early and late in the season.
Day hikers don't need permits, but overnight trips require advance reservations. Sixty percent of permits become available 24 weeks ahead, with the remainder available two weeks to four days before your trip. If you're planning to camp, sites must be at least 100 feet from lakes, and fires are allowed since the area sits below 9,600 feet elevation.
Water is abundant in the basin, but treat everything you drink. The granite terrain means few reliable sources between the trailhead and the lakes, so carry what you need for the climb. Weather can change quickly at this elevation, and afternoon thunderstorms are routine in summer. Start early to give yourself time to get below treeline if storms develop.