Twenty Lakes Basin

We have our friend Kelsey to thank for introducing us to this gem of a hike hiding in the shadows of Yosemite.

Saddlebag Lake is just a few kilometers from the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite, and it doesn't really look like much. So it is a total surprise when the barren trail suddenly opens up to reveal a whole string of picture-perfect alpine lakes and meadows!

Greenstone Lake

	Twenty Lakes Basin
Distance	11km loop 8km loop if you take the water taxi both ways
Difficulty	Easy
Scenery	Awesome, 9/10
Elevation	~3000m
Elevation Gain	~100m

This is a great hike to sandwich between more strenuous endeavours, as you have the option to take a water taxi to/from the far side of the lake if you're feeling tired. The boat ride shaves off 1.5km (each way).

Mammoth Lakes

I have no idea why the Mammoth Lakes area isn't as world famous as Yosemite. The scenery is just as stunning and it's only an hour or so from Tioga Pass. I have been there four times now, and I feel like I've only scratched the surface of what the region has to offer!

Perhaps I should be thankful for its "girl next door" status, as it means that we can actually find campsites here without booking a year in advance!

Site 7, Lake George Campground

The crystal clear waters of Lake George

My favourite campground is at Lake George where sites 6 - 10 are so beautiful that you don't even need to leave your tent to get envious views! But if you do, you have dozens of world-class hikes within a 30km radius.

On this particular trip we took it easy and only did a few,

	TJ Lake	Ruby Lake	Mono Pass
Distance	1.2km one way from the Lake George Campground	3km one way from the Mosquito Flat trailhead	3.5km one way from the Ruby Lake/Mono Pass junction
Difficulty	Easy	Moderate	Strenuous
Scenery	Amazing, 8/10	Awesome, 9/10	Top of the pass, 5/10 Partway up, 9/10
Elevation	~2800m	~3400m	3648m
Elevation Gain	~80m	~300m	714m