| Saddlebag Lake is just
outside Yosemite in the Hoover Wilderness and is a favorite among
Yosemite hikers. It is also a backdoor cross-country entrance into the
park by way of McCabe Lakes. The region behind and including Saddlebag
Lake is known as the 20 Lakes Basin. The loop can be hiked in a day and
the lakes are stocked with trout and ready for your arrival! Our Boat
Taxi Service will drop you off at the far end of Saddlebag Lake and pick
you up later at whatever time you specify. The shuttle saves you 1.5
miles each way.
Overnight Permits can be obtained from Mono County
Visitors Center in Lee Vining, CA. or from Touloume Meadows Ranger
Station in Yosemite. You will NOT be able to obtain an overnight
permit from Saddlebag Lake Resort.
- Saddlebag Lake and 20 Lakes Basin Hike:
A day-hike loop that is a favorite among hikers
- Total Distance: 8.3 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation gain: 310 feet
- Trail traffic: Moderately heavy
- Best Months: All summer; whenever
Tioga Road is open; however high water, wet meadows, and deep snow
sometimes make travel difficult early in the season
- Permits: None for a day hike.
Hiking
Tips
- Bring lots of water with you on your hike, as you
can easily become dehydrated quickly at high elevations. A one pint
bottle is usually sufficient for short hikes of an hour or less. The
longer the hike, the more water you need to bring!
- Use a generous amount of Sun block. The sun's UV
rays can burn untreated skin in as little as 15 minutes.
- CARRY INSECT REPELLENT! This is a must to avoid
irritating mosquito bites!
- The easiest way to carry your fishing tackle is
by wearing a vest or using a creel. Creels are less expensive and
can accommodate a water bottle and a sandwich. Tackle boxes tend to
be too cumbersome and are not carried by hikers in the backcountry
lake. Lighter is better!
- Nets are sometimes helpful in landing larger
fish, but it's just another item you have to tote, so you may opt out of
carrying this larger item.
- Never underestimate the weather. Cloud cover,
gusting winds, or a front moving through the Sierra can turn a
comfortable 70 degree day into a freezing afternoon in a matter of
just a couple of hours. BRING A SWEATSHIRT OR WINDBREAKER WITH YOU
AT ANY TIME OF THE SEASON.
- Plan your hikes carefully using a map. It's
always a good idea to let someone know where you're going. It's best
to hike with a partner or in a group.
- Stay within your physical limitations when
hiking. DO NOT attempt to hike to a high elevation lake immediately
after driving up to the Sierra from a low elevation urban area. Try
to spend a day getting acclimated to the altitude before doing any
hiking.
Hiking Tips adapted from the John Barbier's book,
"Eastern Sierra Fishing Guide for Day Hikers." We recommend
this introduction to backcountry fishing in the Eastern Sierra of
California. It is a useful guide designed to make your day hike more
productive and enjoyable. The book is filled with maps, photos,
directions, ratings, and lots of useful information for the backcountry
angler.
|
