Oakhurst, California
Looking for the best backpacking in Oakhurst? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Oakhurst. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Oakhurst
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Cathedral Lakes Trailhead
Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley
5.030.82 mi / 6109 ft gainYosemite is an iconic park, and if you are looking for isolation with spectacular views of the backcountry this trip is for you. The trail itself is approximately 33 miles and can be done in 3-4 days, but I recommend a 6 day hike to enjoy the scenery and to have the opportunity to soak in each lo...Read more -
Wawona, California
Cathedral Lakes
4.89.04 mi / 1100 ft gainStarting at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead near the Tuolumne Meadows parking lot (if parking is full at the TH), this trail wanders through the classic High Sierra forest with large white granite boulders and pine trees. After approximately 4 miles of quiet solitude in the forest, you will reach ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Tulomne Meadows to Donohue Pass via JMT
5.027.56 mi / 2953 ft gainDonohue Pass lies on the border of Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Both the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) route through this pass at 11,056 ft. A challenging but beautiful hike that starts from Tuolumne Meadows and follows the JMT for 12.5 miles t...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack to Boothe Lake
5.016.6 mi / 1400 ft gainStarting at the Tuolomne Meadows Visitor Center you will head south to jump on the John Muir Trail, move east for 2.8 miles on the JMT until the trail intersects with the Vogelsang High Sierra trailhead, you head south when you reach this trail. Once you hit the Vogelsang trail you are 5.5 miles ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack to Nelson Lake
17 mi / 1000 ft gainHead to any Yosemite wilderness station for a map, bear canister, and permit for Nelson Lake. The trail itself starts in the Tuolumne Campground at Elizabeth Lake trailhead. Follow the trail 2.2 miles up to Elizabeth Lake and remember the lake itself is in a no-camping zone, so you must continue ...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Duck Lake via Duck Pass Trail
4.79.29 mi / 1880 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
37.872112,-119.370472
Hike to Waterwheel Falls
17.32 miWaterwheel Falls may be the most unique waterfall in Yosemite. During high waterflow an extraordinary phenomenon appears as the raging water hits a series of ledges creating a plume, this coupled with strong gust blowing upward create cyclical "waterwheel" effect hence the name. On a good day th...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Fletcher Lake and Vogelsang Peak
19.03 mi / 2887 ft gainBefore you head out for the trip, you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. You can get one online from the Yosemite website or pick one up at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center or from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley. Go to Yosemite and take Highway 120 up to Tuolumne Meadows. You ca...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Young Lakes
4.714.14 mi / 1700 ft gainThe Young Lakes trail starts from the Lembert Dome parking area and then winds up around 6 miles into the high country past alpine meadows and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Lower and Middle Young Lakes are beautiful, but you're going to want to push on to Upper Young Lake, where y...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Mt. Conness
5.019.03 mi / 5400 ft gainThis trip is best done as a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip making camp at Young Lakes, however it is possible to do it in a single day long haul. Start at the Lembert Dome Parking Lot and take the trail via the Dog Lake route towards Young Lakes. It's about 7 miles to the upper of the three You...Read more -
37.876736,-119.346085
Glen Aulin
4.812.19 mi / 600 ft gainStart your hike to this waterfall oasis in the heart of the sierra at the parking lot for the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp sits along the beautifully winding Tuolumne River. White Cascade an 80ft waterfall sits at the edge of camp and provides an excellent swim...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Lake Virginia
5.0You'll find an ample supply of warm, sunny campsites here. After a tough climb leading up to this area, a plunge in the cold water and sunbathing on the warm granite surrounding the lake is just what the doctor ordered. This is one of the sites that you want to plan around - even if you arrive at...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Bear Creek
The trail follows the creek for a few miles as it cascades forming very tempting pools and places to lay out. Try to resist jumping in the first pool you see and setting up camp. Although you really can't go wrong, some of the sweetest and deepest pools come after passing by a few smaller pools. ...Read more -
Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls
4.812.55 mi / 2500 ft gainSituated in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is is a not often visited treasure of the Central Sierra Nevada. In 1913, in an extremely controversial move, work on the O’Shaughnessy Dam was started to provide water to the growing population of San Francisco. Today, Het...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Lyell Loop
35.88 mi / 5541 ft gainStart the hike at the Mono pass trail. You'll eventually take the fork towards Parker Pass a couple miles in. We tackled the trail in late spring, and it quickly became clear that there was still enough snow to make our lives difficult. As we climbed out of the Parker drainage, the trail essenti...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Mono Pass to Silver Lake Trailhead via Koip Peak Pass
20.25 mi / 3606 ft gainThis trip begins in Yosemite National Park and can be completed as an out-and-back or by hiking one-way to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and exiting at Silver Lake on the east side of the mountains. Start at the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead, a few miles past Tuolumne Meadows. Don't forget to make a pe...Read more