Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

Mariposa County, California

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

32 miles

Elevation Gain

2400 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Emily Noyd

The hike is a long haul, but the reward is a remote lake at the base of Red Peak Pass.

The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relatively ho-hum trail, skirting the epic Mount Starr King and gaining elevation slowly but surely. This section can be quite warm with few water sources in late summer. Be sure to check in with a wilderness station about trail and water conditions prior to your trip.

At the Merced Pass Junction, stay left towards Ottoway Lakes and Red Peak Pass. The last 3.1 miles gets more beautiful with every step as you rise from the forest into rocky slope heaven. Lower Ottoway Lake is the perfect basecamp with clean and clear water, an amazing backdrop, and nice campsites.

Enjoy a night or two at the lake, with side trips up to Red Peak Pass and Upper Ottoway Lake. Pro tip: use your sleeping pad as a floatie toy!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin

Camping

Fishing

Photography

Swimming

Backpacking

Hiking

Forest

Lake

Swimming Hole

Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're encompassed in red fir forests and small aspen groves. Note that there are only a couple intermittent c...

Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop

SENTINEL DOME & TAFT POINT TRAILHEAD: About an hour drive from Yosemite Valley campgrounds. This trailhead is an intersection of the starting point of the Taft Point trail and Sentinel Dome trail. It is a short walk (and visible) from the parking lot. In doing both trails, it would be an estimated 4-5 hour hike. The nearest and only restroom available is at the parking lot. The parking lot...

Sentinel Dome Trail

One of the most popular places in Yosemite for sunset is Glacier Point, but by walking one mile from the trailhead, the crowds quickly dissipate. Sentinel Dome is great for all ages since the trail is short and not too steep. Park at the Sentinel Dome trailhead, about 3 miles from the end of Glacier Point Road. The trail is one mile, one-way. For the best timing, leave the trailhead at least on...

Taft Point

Taft Point is such an amazing and different view of the Yosemite Valley. If you're lucky and you time it right, you'll also experience complete solitude. While driving Glacier Point Road, just a few minutes before arriving at Glacier Point, you'll see a parking lot for the Taft Point Trailhead. The hike is an intermediate level hike for a little over a mile one way. The hike itself is amazing,...

Backpack to Clouds Rest from Glacier Point

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 water as you can. There will not be any water beyond this point! Once you have got all the water you...

Dewey Point Trail

This approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail is a great hike in Yosemite National Park. This trail starts off of Dewey Point's Meadow Trail, but you can also start from the Dewey Point Ridge trail, which you'll pass first when coming up Glacier Point Road. This trail is not dog friendly, but is accessible year-round, but will start from the Badger Pass ski area in the winter.