Getting There

To reach Wasco Lake, get to Highway 120 at the east end of the park, either from Yosemite or from Lee Vining, California. Take Saddlebag Road, which is signed, and follow it uphill over a road that is partly paved and partly improved dirt road. Once you arrive at Saddlebag Lake, you have the luxury of a store, bait shop, restaurant, and keeper of the t-shirt that becomes yours if you get the Sierra slam in the 20 Lakes Loop.

The Hike

If only staying for a day hike or overnight for backpacking trips, park in the trailhead parking lot which affords a great deal of parking spaces. If you plan on going to Wasco Lake, park in the trailhead parking area. Basically, the hike is minimal if you take the water taxi. If the taxi is not running, add 1.2 miles to your hiking. Wasco Lake is a mile from the water taxi drop off so it is a popular spot. Some good campsites can be found on the east side near of the lake.

The Fishing

The fishing at Wasco Lake yields small Brook Trout in the 9-11 inch range. The fish are rising and respond to a variety of lures and flies. We had strikes using the Yellow Panther Martin and landed a fish using a Green Humpy and a night crawler. We spent about 30 minutes at Wasco Lake which turned out to be long enough to find out what was in there. The fish are rather small and we were on our way to Cascade Lake, so we left after a short visit. All fish were released at Wasco Lake.