Twenty Lakes Basin Hike

I had never done this hike before and was determined to do it before I got too old. It's located just outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park.

You can cut 3 miles off an otherwise 8.5 mile hike by taking a water taxi to the upper end of Saddlebag Lake. Sign me up!


I meant to do the left side of the loop and then turn around, because it was supposed to be the easiest and most scenic. But why are the lakes on the wrong side of the trail?


Uh-oh! I think this is the hard part I had heard about. I'm on the right side of the loop, and that's Lake Helen down there. Yes, this is the trail!


On the way down the rocky canyon, this creature was having dinner. Anybody know what it is? It looked like a gigantic mouse.


Walking on rocks all the way from Odell Lake to the upper side of Lake Helen was a challenge.


But eventually the trail leveled out, and Shamrock Lake came into view.


This lake is just beautiful, with several islands and peninsulas in it.


I was seeing a lot of this plant. I don't know what it is, but it looks kind of pretty close up -


But with the sun behind it, it turns bright red!


Up and over the next hill, and suddenly, there was Steelhead Lake.


The trail got easier here, because it used to be an old mining road.


Three lakes in one picture! Does it get any better? An unnamed small lake in front of Greenstone Lake, with Saddlebag Lake in the back. If you look closely, you can see the water taxi on it's way.


Wow, that was great! Definitely goes on my list of favorite hikes!