Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Santa Clara at roughly 135 miles (about 150 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara?

Accepted Answer

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

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	135 mi	~150 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	141 mi	~156 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	147 mi	~164 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
4	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	147 mi	~164 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
5	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	159 mi	~176 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
6	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	165 mi	~183 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
7	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	177 mi	~196 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
8	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	185 mi	~205 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
9	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	187 mi	~208 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
10	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	190 mi	~212 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
11	Big Pine Lakes Inyo National Forest	195 mi	~217 min	13.5 mi	7,086 ft	46	Required
12	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	196 mi	~218 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required

Best backpacking trips near Santa Clara, CA