I hiked into the 10 Lakes Basin in Yosemite National Park on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 and made base camp for 3 days and nights at at the lower Lake which is just under 9000 feet. It was absolutely spectacular with temperatures in the 70s during the day and low 40s during the nighttime. The stars were incredible since there was a waning crescent moon that never came above the horizon during the night. The pictures of the 10 Lakes Basin that you will find on this page and the following pages are all high resolution so please be patient while they load.
It is a relatively easy hike for the first 4 miles until you reach Half Moon Meadow. The next mile gives you an elevation gain of a little bit over 700 vertical feet and brings you up to a pass with fantastic views of the High Sierra. It's a little over 6 miles to the first lake and you can camp near any of the 7 major lakes and have good access to water and firewood.
Since it was a very low snow year there was virtually no water available in any of the creeks on the way up. The only Creek that actually had any water flowing on this particular trip was on the uphill section about 3.5 miles from the start. I purposely waited until after Labor Day to go on this trip since the 10 Lakes gets very heavy usage during July and August.
If you are in good shape and know how to read a topographic map, you can easily navigate your way around all of the lakes in the basin in one long day. I recommend anyone doing a backpacking trip to the 10 Lakes Basin plan to spend at least one or two nights there so that you can explore the different lakes, canyons, and enjoy the eye-popping views from the top of Grand Mountain.
I do not recommend this trip for anyone who is not well acclimated and it helps if you are in very good physical condition. The first couple of miles will lull you into a false sense of security since you have some pretty gradual uphills. After you go up the steep climb to 10 Lakes Pass you have a very steep descent down into the basin. The elevation gain is approximately 2200 feet. I live at nearly 7000 feet and it took me about 3 1/2 hours to hike in and just over three hours to hike out. The average person should expect to take between four and five hours one way making the journey in if you are carrying a backpack. Mountain runners can easily round trip in one day, just bring some snacks and a water bottle, you can refill at any of the lakes (making sure to purify before drinking).
The photos on this page are from the first day of the trip. If you do this hike in the morning, the sun will be in the wrong position and your pictures will be all washed out. I purposely started at 2 pm to make sure the sun would be behind me and at a favorable angle for the entire hike in to the 10 Lakes Basin.
After traveling a couple of miles the view starts to open up.
Another view looking through the trees as you ascend.
Half Moon Meadow was probably much greener back in June. I tried hiking up here in June 2006 but this area was under 10 feet of snow at the time. The pass is directly ahead of you.
A different view of the Meadow.
This is the view when you first arrive at the pass. The following photos are all different views from Ten Lakes Pass which is approximately 9600 feet in elevation.
Mt. Conness is in the center of the picture. The rolling hills and the domes that you see in the foreground to the center and left help to define the Grand Canyon of the Tuolomne River.
When you first come over the pass and start to drop down into the 10 Lakes Basin this is the view that greets you.
Making your way further down the slope the canyon walls really jump out at you.
This is the Lake that I camped at and from here I hiked all around the 10 Lakes Basin and up to the summit of Grand Mountain