Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Watsonville?

Accepted Answer

Ten Lakes Basin is the closest documented trip to Watsonville at roughly 136 miles (about 151 minutes of driving) from the Ten Lakes Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Watsonville?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Watsonville, 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 Watsonville?

Accepted Answer

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

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Ten Lakes Basin Yosemite National Park	136 mi	~151 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	Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne Yosemite National Park	148 mi	~164 min	22 mi	5,034 ft	50	Required
4	Rush Creek to Thousand Island Lake Inyo National Forest	157 mi	~174 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	Lake Aloha via Glen Alpine Desolation Wilderness	164 mi	~182 min	11.6 mi	3,200 ft	25	Required
7	Little Lakes Valley Inyo National Forest	170 mi	~189 min	6.4 mi	1,242 ft	20	Required
8	Sabrina Basin Inyo National Forest	175 mi	~194 min	8.5 mi	3,652 ft	30	Required
9	Rae Lakes Loop Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	176 mi	~196 min	41.4 mi	7,047 ft	58	Required
10	North Lake–South Lake Loop Inyo National Forest	177 mi	~197 min	47.2 mi	9,320 ft	73	Required
11	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	178 mi	~198 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
12	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	178 mi	~198 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required

Best backpacking trips near Watsonville, CA