Ten Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
| Address: | Tioga Rd, Wawona, CA 95389, USA |
| GPS: |
37°54'5.2"N 119°31'16.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | California |
| Trail Length: | 6.40 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 2200 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 5.7 mi |
Lakes Rivers Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers National Park
Backpack, Camp, and Hike
A 6.4 mile hike will lead you to three of the Ten Lakes at Ten Lakes Basin. There are three possible trails to take to see this phenomenon. The shortest begins at Yosemite Creek. The other two are much longer. One begins at May Lake and takes about 13 miles and the other begins at Murphy Creek and takes about 14 miles.
Once you reach the end of the trail, there are several other short trails that will take you to the rest of the lakes. However, despite the name, there are only seven lakes in total. There are more things to see than just lakes, though. The basin is surrounded by wildflower meadows, woodland, as well as the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. The
Each of the hikes take you through several wooded forests, as well as the Halfmoon Meadow. The trails to the lakes are a steady climb up to the basin. The total elevation gain is about 2200 feet, and the last stretch of the 6.4 mile hike is slightly more strenuous.
Many visitors enjoy camping up at the Ten Lakes Basin or at the Grant Lakes to give themselves the chance to explore each of the lakes.
More Information
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=9zpxis0diinTen Lakes and Grant Lakes Trails, Yosemite National Park, California
The Ten Lakes Trail follows Yosemite Creek then climbs a ridge to a group of partly wooded lakes, close to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. A spur trail reaches the Grant Lakes
https://www.americansouthwest.net/california/yosemite/ten-lakes-grant-lakes-trails.htmlBe 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
- Get directions on Google Maps
Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby
May Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.0 miles SA 2.5-mile roundtrip hike to a scenic 9,270-foot lake at the base of Mt. Hoffmann — with views of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and Teyana Lake, plus the option to summit the peak for even grander panoramas.
Hike, Swim 6.1 mi
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
5.6 miles EAn 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
5.6 miles EA 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
Tenaya Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.7 miles SETenaya Lake's glacier-carved granite shoreline offers a spacious east-beach for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking with stunning Yosemite dome views all around.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Swim 0.7 mi
Lukens Lake
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park
6.2 miles SWA short 1.6-mile forest walk to a secluded lake famous for the luminescent shooting stars visible while you swim, plus a wildflower meadow that peaks in July.
Hike, Swim 0.9-3.2 mi
Cathedral Lakes
Wawona, California
6.6 miles SEA gorgeous 7-mile High Sierra hike along the John Muir Trail to twin lakes at 10,000 feet, framed by Cathedral, Echo, and Tressider Peaks with sweeping views of Tenaya Lake from a rock shelf.
Hike, Swim
Harden Lake
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
7.3 miles WA long but gentle 5.8-mile walk down old Tioga Road through granite domes and red fir forest to a serene lake ringed by wildflowers — with optional extension to the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
Backpack, Hike
Elizabeth Lake
Wawona, California
9.1 miles SEA 4.8-mile hike with a 1,000-foot gain to a quiet alpine lake tucked between Cockscomb, Unicorn Peak, and Johnson's Peak in Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows backcountry.
Hike, Swim 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
9.4 miles SA 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
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
9.7 miles EA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike 0.8-4.1 mi
Dog Lake and Lembert Dome
Yosemite Valley, CA
9.9 miles EA 4-mile round-trip hike through Tuolumne Meadows wildflowers to a serene evergreen lake and a granite dome with sweeping views — doable in 1.5 to 3 hours.
Hike, Swim 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
10.2 miles SA 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 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
10.7 miles SThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
10.7 miles SA 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 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
10.8 miles SA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
11.5 miles SA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
11.5 miles SA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
11.8 miles SA 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 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
12.2 miles SA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 3.6 mi
Lyell Canyon
Wawona, California
12.3 miles EAn 8-mile, nearly flat hike through Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows along the Lyell Fork river, with creek crossings, Kuna Creek cascades, and backcountry quiet far from the crowds.
HikeNearby Campsites
Glen Aulin
Wawona, California
5.6 miles EAn 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
5.6 miles EA 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
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne County, California
9.7 miles EA stunning alpine meadow in the high Sierra with granite domes and mountain views, the meandering Tuolumne River, and access to Yosemite backcountry — open summer only when the park road is clear.
Camp, Hike
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
11.5 miles SThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater 4.0 mi
Saddlebag Lake
Lee Vining, California
14.3 miles EAt 10,008 ft, this Eastern Sierra alpine lake offers exceptional trout fishing, a scenic four-mile loop, and a water taxi into the heart of the Twenty Lakes Basin.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Crane Flat
Big Oak Flat, Yosemite National Park
18.5 miles SWFramed between two giant sequoia groves, Crane Flat meadow is a quiet Yosemite base camp for birding, stargazing, and seasonal hikes to Lukens and Harden Lake.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Snowshoe
Briceburg Recreation Area
Midpines, California
32.9 miles SWBriceburg is where State Route 140 drops out of the Sierra foothills and meets the Wild and Scenic Merced River, twelve miles east of Mariposa on the road to Yosemite, and it's one of the best public...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Crystal Lake
Mammoth Lakes, California
34.7 miles SEA 3.2-mile roundtrip Sierra day hike past Lake George, Lake Marie, and Lake Mamie, ending at Crystal Lake beneath the monolith Crystal Crag — shaded trail with room to swim, fish, or picnic lakeside.
Camp, Hike
Wild Willy's Hot Spring
Mammoth Lakes, California
44.3 miles EA soaking hot spring in Long Valley's open sagebrush plain — pools range from 95°F to 105°F, with a larger deeper pool and smaller, hotter pools, reached by a 0.2-mile wooden boardwalk from the parking area.
Camp, Hot Springs
Crowley Lake Campground
Crowley Lake, California
47.1 miles SENestled in the stunning Eastern Sierra near Crowley Lake, this BLM campground offers first-come, first-served sites for tents, RVs, and trailers with breathtaking high-desert views.
Camp
Standish Hickey Area
Lakeshore, California
48.4 miles SEA two-mile stretch of the south fork of the Eel River inside a redwood canyon 180 miles from San Francisco — swim, kayak, fish, or hike, then camp near the 1,200-year-old Captain Miles Standish Tree.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Kayak, Swim
