Young Lakes is one of those places which isn't necessarily hard to get to, but with a few
hours effort, you'll feel like you're a million miles away once you get up there.
Tucked into the granite high country above Tuolumne Meadows lies a series of lakes surrounded
by sawtooth granite peaks.
This moderately easy overnight or two-night trip from Tuolumne Meadows packs in the scenery
from Lodgepole Pine forests to splendid open meadows with vistas towards some of the park's
most notable peak.
Young Lakes is a seven mile gradual uphill hike from Tuolumne Meadows via the Glen Alland
and Young Lakes trails.
You'll arrive first at the lowest of the three lakes.
The other two lakes lying at higher elevation towards the east.
The lower lake is the largest of the three and here you'll find some great sites to make
camp.
Sunrise is especially great at young lakes.
A variety of day trips abound from a base camp at Young Lakes.
During the trip in September, we spent our second day in the area exploring the upper
two lakes.
The well-defined trail is only a hundred vertical feet over one half mile to the middle lake.
Hiking up to the third and highest lakes is steep in places as it climbs across the water
flowing over the rocks near the top.
But fear not, it's only a short three-tenths of a mile and 400 vertical feet to the lake
flying in a bare granite basin with green grass shore.
It's hard not to tempt the waters with a swim in a high mountain paradise like this.
If you decide to take the plunge, be ready for some cold, cold water.
Before leaving the upper lake, take in the Vista towards the west in the two lower lakes.
The emerald green shores and vibrant blue waters freckled with white granite stones of the middle
lake is a sight not to be missed.
Your final day saved some of the best scenery for the finale.
The hike back to Tuolumne Meadows via the Dog Lake Trail is a spectacular finish to this
trip.
For a day-by-day guide, maps, and more specifics on this trip, go to Explore.TheHumanPace.com
and search Young Lakes.
And don't forget to visit us on our Facebook fan page at TheHumanPace.
