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Lee Vining, California

Looking for the best backpacking in Lee Vining? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Lee Vining. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Lee Vining

  • Mariposa County, California

    Mt. Hoffman via May Lake Trailhead

    5.55 mi / 2140 ft gain
    The May Lake trailhead is at the end of a 2-mile unpaved road leading north from Tioga Road. The trailhead has pit toilets and bear lockers. (Please be sure to store any food, garbage, scented items, and empty coolers in these lockers while hiking!) After hiking an easy 1.3 miles, you'll arrive ...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Backpack from Mammoth Mountain to Yosemite Valley via the John Muir Trail

    5.0
    52 mi / 6300 ft gain
    Cross country hiking can be a daunting idea. There are so many things to plan for, and such a long distance to cover. If you are an experienced backpacker, and you want to get a taste of hiking on the John Muir Trail this hike might interest you.  Planning GPS Map (Caltopo): https://caltopo.com...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome

    10.04 mi / 2089 ft gain
    Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to North Dome in Yosemite

    5.0
    8.8 mi
    To stay overnight in Yosemite without a reserved campsite requires a "Wilderness Permit" to camp, but you can camp anywhere. However, any fires need to be in pre-made fire pits (so rangers can know where to check for fires) Day 1 - Hike in from the Porcupine Trailhead off of Tioga Road in to vie...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    10 Lakes Basin in Yosemite

    5.0
    13.38 mi / 2200 ft gain
    Beginning at the Ten Lakes trailhead, the trail to the lakes is a moderately strenuous uphill grind to Ten Lakes pass, followed by a quick downhill into the lake basin. We met a woman at the top who made sure we didn’t miss the short side trail to a vista point on the pass that offered a sweeping...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Grant Lake via Ten Lakes Trailhead

    4.0
    12.24 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The trail begins at the Ten Lakes trailhead (7600 ft) right beside Yosemite Creek. The first 4 miles start you on the ascent through the wooded forest, however there are portions of the trail that will take you through granite rock valleys marked with only cairns so keep your eyes peeled througho...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Duck Lake via Duck Pass Trail

    4.7
    9.29 mi / 1880 ft gain
    The Duck Pass trail in the John Muir Wilderness combines breathtaking views, wildflowers and plenty of icy mountain lakes for swimming into a trail that is moderate in both difficulty and distance. With multiple lakes along the way to pitch your tent and plenty of day hike options from a base cam...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Hike to Basket Dome

    9.45 mi
    Getting There Starting in Yosemite Valley, head to the Snow Creek trailhead just past Muir Meadows. Start the hike early in the morning, since it gets pretty hot in the summer and the last part of the hike is in the sun. The Trail You'll hike more than 140 switchbacks to reach the top of Ba...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Little Yosemite Valley Campsite and Half Dome

    4.6
    13.88 mi / 4800 ft gain
    First things first. You will need to get a wilderness pass by entering the lottery for Half Dome access. If you don't get a pass via lottery just go to the Yosemite Valley visitor center, tell the clerk you are backpacking to Little Yosemite Valley and that you would like to hike up Half Dome. Th...
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  • 37.732842,-119.557782

    Panorama Trail

    4.8
    16.87 mi / 3200 ft gain
    The Panorama Trail is an outstanding hike that takes you from the Yosemite Valley floor up to Glacier Point. Or you can hike it downhill going from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. You can camp and make it an overnight trip or do it as a day trip by leaving a car at one end and taking a park sh...
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  • 37.739698,-119.564018

    Snow Creek Trail

    5.0
    20.43 mi / 2700 ft gain
    This is truly a beautiful hike. Although it’s not the easiest, you are rewarded by the views. From the Mirror Lake trailhead (shuttle stop #17), it is 0.9 miles to the Snow Creek trailhead and 1.7 miles to the Snow Creek overlook where you can camp in close proximity. Once you reach the top, you...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    Thru-Hike the John Muir Trail

    5.0
    203.17 mi / 44944 ft gain
    To thru hike the JMT is probably one of the sickest trips to do! It's not a heavy commitment like the PCT or AT but it's also no week long vacation from work, backpacking the woods of your local forests either. There's a sweet spot in thru hiking and I believe this trail gives the full taste. You...
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  • Mono County, California

    Summit Mount Baldwin (12,614')

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions The hike for Mount Baldwin starts at the Convict Lake trailhead. The turn off for Convict lake is about 4.5 miles south of the Mammoth Lakes exit along the 395 and roughly 35 miles North of Bishop, CA. Take this exit and follow the road West towards the mountains. Turn right at the ...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Backpack Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne

    5.0
    48.29 mi / 10610 ft gain
    This is a rugged overnight backpack into the North country of Yosemite dropping in from Tuolumne Meadows into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The trail begins at an elevation just under 9,000' and drops to a low elevation of 4,500' almost 19 miles later at Pate Valley. Coming up out of Pate Val...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Clouds Rest from Glacier Point

    4.0
    23.85 mi / 6942 ft gain
    Start from Glacier Point around 7,200 feet leaving on the Panoramic Trail. Head down 2 miles to Illilouette Falls (5,800 feet). Once you cross the bridge at Illilouette Falls you go up Panorama Point and head back down to Nevada Falls (5,971 feet). Once you reach Nevada Falls fill up on as much w...
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  • Yosemite Valley, California

    El Capitan Trail

    5.0
    14.68 mi / 5052 ft gain
    Start on the Yosemite Falls trailhead and work your way up. Yosemite Falls can be anywhere from a huge flow to a slow trickle depending on the time of year. Hiking boots are absolutely necessary and hiking poles are a huge benefit. Say hello to rock climbers at the top as they finish their El Cap...
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