Gaylor Lakes from Tioga Pass

The walk starts at the Gaylor Lakes Trailhead, beside the Tioga Pass entrance station, at 9,945 feet. The trail climbs steeply from the parking lot to the crest of a ridge, with views back to Mount Dana and over Dana Meadows, then drops about 200 feet to Middle Gaylor Lake. Follow the shore and then the stream that feeds the lake up to Upper Gaylor Lake, in open country above the trees. The stone ruins of the Great Sierra Mine stand a short climb above the upper lake. Return the same way, climbing back over the ridge.

It is 3.4 miles (5.4 km) round trip with 780 feet (239 m) of climbing; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy for its length, but the first climb is steep and the whole walk is at about 10,000 feet.

At this height you may tire sooner than you expect, or feel unwell: take it slowly, and go down if you do not improve. There is no shelter on the ridge or at the lakes, so turn back if a thunderstorm is building. Parking at the trailhead is limited; it has vault toilets and food lockers. No permit is needed for a day hike.

Tioga Road closes with the first big snow, usually in November, and reopens in late May or June. No overnight parking is allowed along it from October 15.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.