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SADDLEBAG LAKE |
DISTANCE: 3.6–8.4 miles roundtrip
HIKING TIME: 2–4 hours
SEASON: June–October
DIFFICULTY: moderate
Tioga Pass and its spectacular high country lakes can be enjoyed on this mellow day-hike. And you can lengthen or shorten the trip as you please by utilizing Saddlebag Lake Resort’s boat taxi across the lake. A one-way ride on the boat will cut 1.5 miles off your day; a round-trip will cut 3.0 miles off.
To hike alongside Saddlebag Lake instead of taking the boat, follow the trail on either the lake’s east or west side. The east-side trail is more scenic; the west-side trail is shorter. For a short 3.6-mile loop, hike out on one trail and back on the other, but be sure to take the 200-yard side-trip at Saddlebag’s northwest edge to Greenstone Lake, backed by photogenic North Peak. For a longer hike, continue past Greenstone Lake to Wasco Lake and then to stark Steelhead Lake (3.0 miles on the west-side trail). More lakes lie beyond, including Shamrock, Helen, and Odell. If you hike the entire loop, you’ll have an 8.4-mile day (or a 5.4-mile day via the taxi). No matter how far you go, you’ll be awed by the blend of blue sky, granite, water, and hardy whitebark pines.
From the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park, drive east on Hwy. 120 for 2.0 miles to the left turnoff for Saddlebag Lake. Turn left onto Saddlebag Lake Rd. and drive north 2.7 miles to the trailhead parking area.
