7 Backpacking Trails near Santa Cruz Area
first prev 1 next lastShowing Backpacking Trails within 50 miles Distance miles of Edison Lake Rd, Lakeshore, CA 93634, USA City, Zip, or Address
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
40.7 miles NWA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
41.1 miles NWA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
41.5 miles NWA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
42.0 miles NWA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
45.9 miles NWAn 11-mile hike along the Tuolumne River to Glen Aulin with 800 feet of gain, passing Tuolumne Falls, Soda Springs, wildflower meadows, and the stunning White Cascade.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Glen Aulin
Glen Aulin, California
45.9 miles NWA popular introductory Yosemite High Country backcountry hike following the Tuolumne River to a High Sierra Camp beside the White Cascade waterfall, with further options to Waterwheel Falls.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Swim 5.7 mi
Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
48.3 miles NWA 6.4-mile hike from Yosemite Creek to three of the Ten Lakes Basin's seven lakes, through wildflower meadows, forests, and past the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, gaining 2,200 feet.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
