Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite

Hi, I am planning to backpack to this location this summer. Has anyone been there and can you direct me to the best camp sites in the basin? I am looking to plan out the camping location before I go. Thanks!

You will have to choose from the spots available the day you arrive. That is a popular destination. Remember that you can only have a fire at the lowest two lakes. That is where fishing is best, too.

You can also get into 10Lakes Basin from White Wolf or Tuolumne Meadows - little longer but if the main trial permits are full you may be able to go in these alternate routes.

"Best" campsite is a subjective opinion. If "best" means peace and quiet, getting half mile or so off the trail is better than the standard campsites near the trail.

Arrive early enough at your destination so that you can scout out campsites. In a popular area like this, best sites may be alrady taken. If you bring a couple of 2.5 L Playtupus collapsable water containers you can camp farther from water sources if you find a beautiful site not adjacent to water.

Thanks, I was not aware about the fire restrictions. My goal is to visit each of the lakes. We will be there for 3 nights. Do you know if all of the lakes have fish?

Peace and quiet would be great. I think we will want to be close to one of the fishable lakes. I will take your advice regarding arriving early. Thanks.

If you are going to be there 3 nights, you can easily move camp to a better spot each night. The area is quite compact. Take an early day-hike and loop around all the lakes and then if you find a better spot, just move. I think you have to just try each lake for fish. Lower lakes more likely to have fish. Sounds like a fun trip.

Yosemite has a rule that you cannot build fires over 9,600 feet regardless so look at a map and you will see where you want to camp if you want a fire.

If you snag a site it would be simple to base camp for the duration and day hike around the whole basin - the lakes are not that far apart. And you could also go back over the pass and visit Grant Lakes into the bargain. Then you can come back and tell us where all the fish are.

Gotta luv a woman who talks fish.
Our large group a few years back stayed at the far end of the big lake, fishing was ok in the AM before we left.
Duane

Yes, Grant Lakes are definately part of the equation. Wondering if I can off trail hike those direct fromt he basin or if we will have to take the long route. Think that is doable without climbing gear? Thanks for all the help.

How to bring home your limit.
Go to Ten Lakes.
Fish the lower, largest lake in the morning and again about dinnertime. Throw back most of them. Eat 3 or 4. Next morning, keep about 10 of the best ones, find a remainder of a snowbank, pack cleaned fish in a ziplock, pack in bear can (dual use: ice chest) then carefully pack in top of your backpack.
Not pictured: the ranger who came along while we were packing it. Have wilderness permit and fishing license handy.
The bag limit for brook trout is about 10 per person.
Artificial lures only. Flies and a bobber, spincast, maybe a rooster tail or little Mepps for variety. Black ants, small beetles, parachute hopper or beadhead nymph work best on subalpine brookies.

mmmmm... don't count on the direct route. Go back on the trail. It will take less time.

Great stuff, Lori!

BTW, another trailhead that will get you into this same area is via Murphy Creek and the Polly Dome Lakes. It's one that rarely fills up, but the trail is lovely up around Tuolumne Peak and through the South Fork of Cathedral Creek. As Irecall it's about ten miles to Ten Lakes via this route...so a longer hike, with a lot more climbing and descending...but an easier permit. It would be posslbe to do this route as a through hike, starting at Murphy Creek, hiking to ten Lakes, then out via the Ten Lakes trailhead and catch the shuttle (or hitch a ride) back to Tenaya and your car at Murphy Creek...

Great advice. Thank you.

Nice, we had some great luck with the brook trout at Sunrise Lakes last year. It was a perfect trip. Hoping for the same at Ten Lakes this summer. Thanks a lot!

Thanks, I already have the permit reservation (confirmation)! I usually have a group of 4 or 5 and like to plan the trip ahead so I book exactly 6 months ahead, the day it opens up. Not very spontaneous but I worry about such things.