Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Salinas?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Salinas at roughly 140 miles (about 156 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Salinas?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Salinas, including Ten Lakes Basin, require a wilderness permit from Yosemite National Park (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Salinas?

Accepted Answer

For Ten Lakes Basin — the closest trip to Salinas — the best months are July, August, September.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	140 mi	~156 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	144 mi	~160 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	151 mi	~168 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
4	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	159 mi	~176 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
5	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	160 mi	~177 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
6	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	169 mi	~187 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
7	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	170 mi	~189 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
8	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	170 mi	~189 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
9	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	170 mi	~189 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
10	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	170 mi	~189 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required
11	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	172 mi	~191 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
12	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	174 mi	~193 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required

Best backpacking trips near Salinas, CA