This is one of my favorite hikes when visiting Yosemite. Highlights include five lakes in this valley, a nearby mine ruins, good fishing, less crowds, great views of granite peaks and many colorful flowers in summer. The Trailhead is just a few yards from the Tioga Pass entrance station. The first 0.7 mile of the hike is a bit steep... More

As a morning warm up for our day in upper Yosemite, and on only our second day at altitude, it’s possible we might have picked something a bit gentler than the Gaylor Lake track but hey, once you start there’s no turning back even if you do feel sick from lack of oxygen! The carpark was more or less empty;... More

We just hiked Gaylor Lakes and the gorgeous surrounding area. Because of the heavy snowfall this year, it was as if we were hiking in springtime and not late August. Green and as lush as the High Country can get, wildflowers, snow still on the ground ... Distant views of Tuolome peaks. Water rushing down a stream. This is OMG... More

The climb starts just inside the Tioga Gap entrance to the park, traverses the forest up to the tree line, then gently ascends to a ridge above an alpine valley containing several lakes. The good thing was the view from the ridge at 10,500 ft, from which you can see ridges 40 miles away into Nevada. The bad thing the... More

this is one of the best hikes i've been on in yosemite. fairly easy, with dreamlike views once you reach the lake. climbing up to the 2nd lake, and then on to granite lakes, we didn't see anyone for hours. it was so beautiful - definitely the best bang for your buck at yosemite!