The Lakes
Seven lakes (and change)
None of the basin's lakes have official names — guidebooks just number them in the order the trail reaches them. They step down a granite shelf toward the Tuolumne rim between roughly 8,950 and 9,430 feet; the trail passes close to only a few, and the rest reward easy cross-country wandering. Here's what to expect, photographed in early July.
The Main Lake
Big water, easy camps
The first major lake below the pass is the basin's social hub: a large, open lake with meadowy shores, established campsites in the trees, and plenty of room to swim. If you roll in late on a Saturday, expect company — then again, watching alpenglow from camp here is why you came.
Camp at least 100 feet back from the water in already-established sites, and remember the basin's evening breeze: a sheltered spot in the trees beats a scenic-but-exposed granite bench at 2 a.m.
The Middle Lakes
Where the crowds thin out
Push past the first lake and the basin changes character: lakes tucked between granite ribs, boulder islands, grassy shallows that glow green in July, and far fewer tents. The second lake — actually bigger than the first — is only a few hundred feet on, with ample flat camping between it and the third lake about half a mile northeast. The off-trail lakes are the lookers, ringed by slopes of nearly pure white granite.
These middle lakes are the sweet spot — close enough to reach with plenty of afternoon left, far enough that you might have one to yourself midweek.
Ponds & Far Lakes
The quiet corners
Scattered between the named lakes are warm, shallow ponds — ankle-deep nurseries of grass and driftwood that explain how early visitors counted to ten. The farthest lake sits roughly 7.6 miles from the trailhead and sees a fraction of the traffic.
Wandering the benches between lakes is easy, open cross-country travel. If you leave the trail, keep your group small (park rules cap off-trail groups at 8) and step on granite, not meadow.
| Lake (unofficial numbering) | Elevation | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First lake | ~8,990 ft | ~11 acres | First reached from the pass; most campsites, most company |
| Second lake | ~8,950 ft | ~19 acres | The basin's low point, a few hundred feet on; good flat camping |
| Third lake | ~9,020 ft | ~6 acres | Half a mile northeast over a small ridge |
| Middle/upper lakes (2) | ~9,230–9,430 ft | ~10–11 acres | Quieter shelves above the main cluster |
| East lake | ~9,400 ft | ~22 acres | Largest in the basin; near the trail's climb east toward Tuolumne Peak |
| Northeast lake | ~9,010 ft | ~5 acres | Small, out toward the canyon rim |
| Grant Lakes (2) | ~9,260 / 9,460 ft | ~5 / 9 acres | Over the divide via a 1-mile spur; white granite bowls, fewer people |
Elevations and sizes are approximate, compiled from topo data; the numbering is conventional, not official.
