39 |
MIDDLE & UPPER |
DISTANCE: 4.0 miles round-trip
HIKING TIME: 2 hours
SEASON: June–October
DIFFICULTY: challenging
Beginning near Tioga Pass at just shy of 10,000 feet, the trail to Middle and Upper Gaylor Lakes is a tough climb in its first 0.75 mile. After gaining the ridge, a quick descent leads to the shallow blue waters of Middle Gaylor Lake. The lake is remarkably large—the length of a few football fields. Anglers often try their luck from its shores.
Hike to your right around Middle Gaylor Lake, following its inlet creek gently uphill to the east. A mile through pastoral high meadows brings you to smaller Upper Gaylor Lake, elevation 10,500 feet, framed by conical Gaylor Peak. You might see a marmot or a pika peeking up from the rocks.
Follow the trail around the left (north) side of the lake and ascend steeply a few hundred yards to the Great Sierra Mine and the remains of an early 1800s stone cabin. The view of Upper Gaylor Lake and Gaylor Peak from this point is a stunner. A few yards beyond the cabin, you’ll find other mine ruins along the trail. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
From the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park, drive east 4.5 miles to the turnoff for Tioga Rd./Hwy. 120, which is Big Oak Flat Rd. Turn left onto Big Oak Flat Rd. and drive 9.3 miles to Crane Flat. Turn right onto Tioga Rd./Hwy. 120 and drive 46 miles to the parking lot west of Tioga Pass Entrance Station, on the north side of Tioga Rd.
