California · Hiking · Near Yosemite Valley

Gaylor Lakes Trail

Gaylor Lakes Trail
1.9 mi
round trip
1,038 ft
climb
10,799 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Gaylor Lakes Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yosemite National Park. It doesn't name Gaylor Lakes Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Tioga Road is temporarily closed due to snowy and icy conditions

    Park closure covering Yosemite National Park · NPS · Yosemite National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Yosemite National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This short but steep hike offers spectacular high-country views, wildflowers in the summer, and lake views. From the trailhead, located right next to Tioga Pass, climb steadily to a ridge with views of the high Sierra including Mt. Dana and Dana Meadows. At the ridge crest, the trail drops 200 feet to Middle Gaylor Lake. Distance: 2.6 miles (4.2 km) round-trip Elevation gain: 500 ft (152 m) Time estimate: 2-3 hours Route variation: if desired, continue along the trail to Upper Gaylor Lake for a slightly longer hike. This adds about 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip as well as a small amount of additional elevation gain. Tips & Seasonal Information Vault toilets are available at this trailhead. Parking is limited. Although this trail is short, it begins at nearly 10,000 feet (3,000 km) above sea level. You may become tired more quickly than expected or even feel sick. Take breaks, drink plenty of water, and adjust plans if needed. This trailhead is only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November. Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Tioga Lake Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Tuolumne Meadows Grill

    Fast food

    On your way back · 6 mi
  • If it rainsEeekster, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Sierra Point

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Point in Yosemite National Park at the eastern end of the valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Eeekster, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

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