Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to San Jose?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to San Jose at roughly 131 miles (about 146 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near San Jose?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near San Jose, 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 San Jose?

Accepted Answer

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

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	131 mi	~146 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	136 mi	~152 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	143 mi	~159 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
4	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	146 mi	~162 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
5	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	154 mi	~171 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
6	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	160 mi	~178 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
7	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	172 mi	~191 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
8	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	180 mi	~199 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
9	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	182 mi	~202 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
10	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	185 mi	~205 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
11	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	190 mi	~211 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required
12	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	190 mi	~212 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required

Best backpacking trips near San Jose, CA