Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Santa Cruz?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Santa Cruz at roughly 148 miles (about 164 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Santa Cruz?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz?

Accepted Answer

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

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	148 mi	~164 min	11.1 mi	4,212 ft	32	Required
2	Clouds Rest via Sunrise Lakes Yosemite National Park	152 mi	~169 min	17.4 mi	5,884 ft	39	Required
3	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	159 mi	~177 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
4	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	169 mi	~188 min	15.8 mi	2,683 ft	27	Required
5	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	169 mi	~188 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
6	Duck Pass to Duck Lake Inyo National Forest	173 mi	~192 min	9.5 mi	3,210 ft	28	Required
7	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	183 mi	~204 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
8	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	189 mi	~210 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
9	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	191 mi	~212 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
10	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	191 mi	~213 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
11	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	193 mi	~215 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
12	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	193 mi	~215 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required

Best backpacking trips near Santa Cruz, CA