Gaylor Lakes
Yosemite Valley, CA
| Address: | Yosemite National Park, California, USA |
| GPS: |
37°54'45.7"N 119°16'7.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 2.00 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Beginner |
| Elevation Gain: | 500 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.8 mi |
Lakes Streams Trails Wildflowers National Park
Hike and Swim
Gaylor Lakes is one of Yosemite's most underrated hikes. It's a 2 mile trail with views the entire way. At various points along the trail, you can see Dana Meadows and the mountains beyond it, like Gibbs and Mammoth. When you reach the top of the pass, you can see the mountains on the east of Yosemite as well as the Gaylor Lakes valley, which contains five separate lakes. The valley also offers views of the Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding mountains. This hike has an amazing pay off for the amount of effort required.
The total elevation gain is about 500 feet, so if you're less experienced, you'll definitely start to feel it a few miles in to get to the valley, but once you reach the valley itself, it's mostly flat with a few subtle inclines. Because there is so much to see, this is a hike that lends itself to a little bit of improvisation. Many visitors like to wander around through the valley and the meadows and soak it in along the way. The trail will take you to the Middle Gaylor Lake, but the others are all nearby and most are easily accessible from the valley.
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Yosemite National Park Itinerary
This Yosemite National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yosemite National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yosemite-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinThe Gaylor Lakes Trail
The Gaylor Lakes trail, a short but steep hike to a gorgeous high-country valley containing four small lakes
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/gaylor-lakes/gaylor-lakes.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Yosemite Valley, CA
- Head southwest on Northside Dr toward Cook's Meadow LoopToll road(2.9 mi)
- Keep right to stay on Northside DrToll road(2.1 mi)
- Continue onto El Portal RdToll road(0.9 mi)
- Turn right onto Big Oak Flat Road (signs for CA-120/Tioga Rd/Manteca)Toll road(9.5 mi)
- Continue onto Old Yosemite Coulterville RdToll road(344 ft)
- Turn right onto CA-120 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(46.6 mi)
Parking is available just outside the trailhead.
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