When Cathedral and Young Lakes permits are gone, Ten Lakes Basin often still has availability. The scenery doesn't apologize for being your backup.
Yosemite's backup plan. And a great one. When Cathedral and Young Lakes permits are gone, Ten Lakes Basin often still has availability. The basin holds numerous lakes of varying sizes, all set in classic Yosemite granite. It's a bit less famous than its Tuolumne Meadows neighbors, which is exactly why it works.
Start: Ten Lakes TH (Tioga Road, Yosemite Creek)
End: Ten Lakes TH
Water: Yosemite Creek crossing, seasonal streams, Ten Lakes
Trail climbs steadily through forest, crosses Yosemite Creek, then ascends to Ten Lakes Pass (~9,700ft). Drop into basin with choice of lakes for camping. First lake visible from pass. Explore the basin to find your preferred camp - some lakes more secluded than others.
Water: Same as Day 1 in reverse
Morning: explore additional lakes in basin, swim, fish. Return over Ten Lakes Pass and descend to trailhead. All downhill after the pass. Can extend to 3 days for full basin exploration.
Explore all lakes in the basin (full day of wandering); Grant Lakes (further north, more remote); connect to Tuolumne Meadows via extended route for point-to-point trip
Tioga Road must be open. Trailhead parking can fill on weekends. No campfires above 9,600ft. Bear canister required. Mosquitoes can be brutal in basin in Jul. Less permit competition than Cathedral or Young Lakes trailheads - good backup option. Yosemite Creek crossing can be tricky in early season high water.
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