Young Lakes Trip Data: 37.93783ºN 119.33566ºW (upper Young Lake); 14.1 miles; 2/1 days Topos: Tioga Pass, Falls Ridge Highlights: The three Young Lakes, cupped under soaring Ragged Peak, are some of the most accessible lakes from Tuolumne Meadows that allow camping. Although busy, they are less crowded than the popular destinations south of Tioga Road. The cluster of lakes offers a large selection of campsites, some in heavy woods and others at timberline. These camps provide a base for exciting excursions into the headwaters of Conness Creek and for climbing Mount Conness itself. Day 1 (Glen Aulin Trailhead to Upper Young Lake, 7.
3 miles): Go around the locked gate where the road to the stables trends right (north) and continue west on the service road along the lodgepole-dotted flank of Tuolumne Meadows, enjoying fine views south toward the Cathedral Range. After 0.25 mile you meet a smaller trail heading right (northeast) to the horse stables and soon thereafter the main trail splits. Here, the left (southwest) branch heads to a bridge across the nearby Tuolumne River, while your route, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), veers right (west), slightly uphill, still on an old road, and quickly encounters a spur trail to the bubbling natural Soda Springs. Above Soda Springs the road forks, and you go right (northwest), still on the PCT. (To take a peek at the nearby buildings--McCauley Cabin and Parsons Memorial Lodge-- briefly go left [southwest], then return after having satisfied your curiosity.) Your westbound trail passes a reed-filled lake, then traverses open sandy flats interspersed with lodgepole pine patches. Another spur trail from the stables merges from the right (southwest) and just beyond you descend to cross Delaney Creek, a potentially treacherous crossing in late May and June if no log is availale to balance across.
In late season, this is your only water source until the Young Lakes. Continuing not far from the northern edge of Tuolumne Meadows you soon reach a junction, where you go right (north) to Young Lakes, while the PCT continues left (west) to Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp (Trips 31 and 51). From the junction, you ascend gradually across a broad expanse of boulder-strewn sheets of granite. An open spot affords a look south across broad Tuolumne Meadows to the line of peaks from steep, rounded Fairview Dome to the steeplelike spires of the Cathedral Range. After a little under a mile, the trail dips to first parallel and then cross Dingley Creek (may be dry by late season). The trail continues winding gently upward in shady pine forest carpeted with a fine flower display even into late season. Through early July, enjoy the delicate, creamy-white flowers of mariposa lilies, with one rich brown spot in the throat of each petal; mariposa means butterfly in Spanish, for the petals resemble a butterfly''s wings. The trail remains just south of the ridge, denying the hiker spectacular northward vistas, so be sure to take a few steps north and enjoy the panoply of peaks: majestic Tower Peak, Doghead and Quarry Peaks, the Finger Peaks, Matterhorn Peak, Sheep Peak, Mount Conness, and the Shepherd Crest.
From this viewpoint a moderate descent leads to a step-across crossing of a Conness Creek tributary and, just beyond, a junction with a southeast-climbing trail, the other Young Lakes Trail, your return route. Turn left (generally north) and start a roller-coaster traverse through a cool forest of mountain hemlocks, lodgepoles, and western white pines, crossing seasonal rivulets. Turning east you climb up to a plateau, en route passing a meadow that was the fourth Young Lake before it filled in with stream sediments. From your high point enjoy the fine view of the steep north face of Ragged Peak and descend to the west shore of the lower Young Lake (9,910''; 37.93718°N, 119.34860°W). The north shore of the lowest lake easily has the most campsites of the three lakes--and indeed most hikers camp here, though I''ve listed the upper lake as the official destination, as I recommend that everyone visit it as a side trip. At about 9,900 feet, lower Young Lake lies in the subalpine realm, so it still has sufficient trees for shade and to diminish the sometimes strong late-afternoon winds.
Fishing on the Young Lakes is fair to good for brook trout. (Stopping here shaves 1.7 miles from the round-trip distance given.) More secluded campsites may be found at the upper lakes. To reach them, follow the trail east around the lower lake, fording the lower lake''s outlet, and picking up a use trail that climbs to the middle lake. Remaining on the north side of the inlet stream, the route parallels the creek east up to the relatively small Middle Young Lake (9,995''). The most used campsites are on a rocky ridge above the middle lake''s northwest shore, but there are also options farther to the northeast, nestled in a grove of lodgepole pines. To reach the uppermost lake, after encircling the middle lake''s north shore clockwise, most people follow a use trail just north of the creek, but it is narrow, eroded, and often muddy.
A better, if sometimes cryptic, use trail stays just slightly farther to the north, meandering eastward up to benchlands across which you make an easy, nearly level, open, scenic traverse southeast emerging on the slabs ringing this stunning alpine lake. There are a few small campsites along Upper Young Lake''s north and west shores (10,210''; 37.93783°N, 119.33566°W). These are small sandy patches among slabs and stunted white- bark pines that offer outstanding views, but little protection from the elements, so many people choose to visit this lake for a view after establishing camp at a lower elevation. From here, relatively easy cross-country travel leads to the giant plateau leading to Mount Conness''s summit, although note that the final stretch to the summit is a little exposed. Soda Springs Campground This former campground was once the private holding of John Lembert, namesake of Lembert Dome. His brothers, who survived him, sold it to the Sierra Club in 1912, and for 60 years Club members enjoyed a private campground in the marvelous subalpine meadow just northeast of the Soda Springs.
But in 1972 the club deeded the property to the National Park Service so that everyone could use it. Day 2 (Upper Young Lake to Glen Aulin Trailhead, 6.8 miles): After exploring the Young Lakes area, retrace your steps to the junction where the two Young Lakes trails merge. Turning left (south), you will now take the trail that passes close to Dog Lake. First climb the southwest spur of Ragged Peak, a sandy, boulder-scattered slope with moderate lodgepole-and-hemlock cover. Views from atop are outstanding, with Yosemite''s tallest peak, Mount Lyell, crowning the skyline, easily identified by its monumental snowfield. From here, the trail descends through a very large, gently sloping meadow dotted with small lodgepoles. This broad expanse is a wildflower garden in season, laced with meandering brooks, but it may be almost dry late in a low-water year.
Expanses of paintbrush and lupine in the fore- ground set off the views of the entire Cathedral Range, strung out on the southern horizon. Near the lower edge of the meadow, you cross the headwaters of Dingley Creek. Beyond, you descend, steeply at times, past exfoliating Peak 10,410 to reach a seasonal creek in a mixed forest of lodgepole and hemlock. The trail then levels off and veers east on a rolling course through more lodgepole forest, where the sandy soil sprouts thousands of prostrate little lupine plants. After another seasonal creek is crossed, you make a short but noticeable climb to the crest of a large, bouldery ridge. Down its gravelly slopes (that is, slower walking), you descend to a very large, level meadow where the reddish peaks of Mount Dana and Mount Gibbs loom in the east and Delaney Creek meanders lazily through the grass. You cross on a collection of logs because the channel is too wide to leap across and would be a deep (but easy) wade. After climbing briefly over the crest of a second bouldery ridge, your route begins its final descent into Tuolumne Meadows.
Lembert Dome can be glimpsed through the trees along this stretch of trail. The trail levels slightly before it fords Dog Lake''s outlet and soon meets the signed lateral that leads 0.1 mile left (northeast) to Dog Lake (worth the brief detour); you continue right (south). After another 0.1 mile, you reach a junction with a trail that leads left (east) along the north side of Lembert Dome and you again stay right (southwest). You parallel the outlet creek from Dog Lake, switchbacking quite steeply down a rocky, dusty trail, dropping approximately 500 feet. As the gradient lessens, there are two spur trails right (west) to the stables, while you continue left (south) on beautiful white polished slabs extending from the western base of Lembert Dome. Passing through a few lodgepole pines, you reach the Lembert Dome parking area; turn right along the road to find your car.