Yosemite Creek and Ten Lakes Trailhead

Ten Lakes Basin viewed from Ten Lakes Pass

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Animal-Safe Food Storage, Trailhead

On the north side of Tioga Road, an unpaved parking lot sits next to the Ten Lakes trailhead. Directly across the street, on the south side of Tioga Road, there is a paved parking area as well as the Yosemite Creek trailhead.

Ten Lakes

To reach the lakes, follow this trail through conifers and across granite to cross a tributary of Yosemite Creek. Continue on the trail to Ten Lakes Pass, the headwaters of Yosemite Creek, overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and the Sierra Crest. Descend 693 feet (211 m) into the Ten Lakes Basin, returning the way you came.

Distance: 12.6 mi (20.3 km) round-trip
Elevation gain: 2,200 ft (671 m)
Time estimate: 7-9 hours

Route variations: For a shorter hike with slightly less elevation change, turn around at the view at Ten Lakes Pass instead. To see even more lakes, take a side trip to Grant Lakes via a 1-mile spur (each way) below Ten Lakes Pass.

Tips & Seasonal Information

Both trails include unbridged stream crossings. Early in the season, when water can be very high, cold, and swift, use caution when crossing streams or turn back when crossing is not safe.

Bicycles and pets are not permitted on hiking trails. Vault toilets are available at the Yosemite Creek trailhead parking area.

Both trailheads are only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November.

Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).