Had a great 3 night backpack to Upper Royal Basin. Spent the first night at Lower Meadow, nice campsite and we were the only ones there. Then hiked up to the Upper Basin for 2 nights, exploring various tarns above and West of Imperial tarn. There is a stream that runs into Royal Creek near boot path to Mt Deception for water source in Upper Basin, if you don't want to filter from tarn.
We spent a day and a half exploring the various tarns, and my hiking partner went to the Johnson/Clark col in the Needles range (saddle in photo). Lots of boulder and rock scrambling to get there, along with some shale scree.
Some fall color in the low ground cover, not many blue or huckleberries, but still some thimbleberries along the trail near the lower Meadow.
No bugs to speak of, deer grazing in the meadow between Royal Lake and the Upper Basin and around campsite and trails near Imperial tarn. Saw a Dipper at the tarn North of the campsites, lots of Juncos, a few Yellow rumped Warblers, Canada Jays, Ravens. And chipmunks.
Only one tree across trail between Upper Dungeness junction and lower Meadow. Trail in good shape, unfortunately the road in is still full of potholes, and some rough driving where some culverts have failed and recently filled with some gravel, but loose so it's not a great fix.
Beautiful time of year to visit!
Comments
Nuckers on Royal Basin via Royal Lake
Great trip report. Thanks you! I'm looking for new ground for next weekend and this looks amazing. Couple questions if you don't mind. From Royal Lake to the Upper Basin, the trail looks fairy easy. Thoughts on that? Also, how is the water source in the Upper Basin? Should OI pack water from Royal Lake to the Upper Basin - that last mile-ish?
Posted by:
Nuckers on Sep 14, 2025 06:39 AM
sarahgpt on Royal Basin via Royal Lake
Hi Nuckers,
From the lake to the Basin, you gain around 700' in about a mile. Trail is in good shape with one exposed slope where you need to pay attention to your footing.
There is a stream in the basin that is good for filtering water, just East of the campsite and tarn, near boot path trail heading toward Mt Deception.
Trail is in great shape. Most folks tend to camp at the Lake and explore the Upper Basin by day, but we enjoyed being up top.
It is a quota area in ONP, and I can't remember when the quota ends for the season. You need to call WIC ( Wilderness Information Center) for Upper Basin reservation and permit, otherwise you can get Backcountry permits online if you choose to camp elsewhere.
Posted by:
sarahgpt on Sep 14, 2025 08:43 AM
Nuckers on Royal Basin via Royal Lake
Great information. Thank you. I put in for a permit on Rec.gov and got an email to call the WIC.
Happy Trails!
Richard
Posted by:
Nuckers on Sep 14, 2025 09:14 AM
sarahgpt on Royal Basin via Royal Lake
Have a great trip, Richard! It's a gorgeous place.
Posted by:
sarahgpt on Sep 14, 2025 09:16 AM