The upper loop above Saddlebag Lake is an amazing 5.5 mile hike through some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. The upper loop includes a total of 10 small to medium sized lakes, waterfalls, and streams. We were told we had the good fortune to catch it in one of the best wildflower seasons in years. You can either hike the additional boring 3 mile round trip around Saddlebag to the trail head for the upper loop, or pay $11 round trip (2010) for a pontoon boat ride around the lake. I was feeling a little ripped off on the way up the lake, but coming back I realized the ride up is "free" and the ride back is totally worth the $11! :)
Directions:
From the Tioga Pass road, about 1 mile below the eastern Yosemite Nat'l Park entrance (about 20 minutes from Lee Vining), take the road up to Saddlebag Lake (less than 10 miles, I don't recall). There is plenty of parking and a campground there. Again, you can then either hike around Saddlebag to get to the upper loop, or take the boat across.
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