Off of Lake Mary Road provides numerous shorter trails near Lake
George. In order to get the most out of your excursion, plan to
hike an hour or more before turning around.
PANORAMA DOME
The dome is an easy 1/2 hike that begins near the bridge of Twin
Lakes and plunges into a dense forest of red firs. Once you reach
the top of the dome you will encounter stunning views of Mammoth
Crest, Crystal Crag and Mammoth Mountain. The trailhead is on Lake
Mary Road just past the turnoff to Twin Lakes. Be careful to park
well off the road.
ROCK CREEK
An easy trail to hike is Rock Creek. Most of the trail runs alongside
a rushing creek through glacier-carved canyons. Bellowing aspens,
willows, and flowering foliage will surround you. An early October
hike when the colors are brilliant yellows, and reds is breathtaking!
COLDWATER TO HEART LAKE
Easy to Moderate 1 mile hike to the lake Trailhead: follow directions
to the end of the Coldwater Campground road, then follow signs to
the Mammoth Consolidated Mine/Heart Lake on the left side of the
parking lot. This is a great hike for history, flowers and views.
Take the self-guided tour through the Mammoth Consolidated Mine,
and then head up the Heart Lake trail. Along the way you'll see
old miner's cabins and wildflowers in bloom in June and July, plus
spectacular views of Mammoth Mountain, the Minarets and more.
COLDWATER TRAILHEAD TO EMERALD LAKE, SKY MEADOWS
Easy ¾ mile hike to Emerald, moderate 2 mile hike to Sky Meadows
Trailhead: take Lake Mary Road into the upper lakes basin, turning
left at Lake Mary toward Coldwater Campground. Drive to the end
of the Coldwater Campground road and look for the Emerald Lake trailhead
on the right side of the parking lot. Watch for the base of spectacular
Blue Crag.
DEVILS POSTPILE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Devils Postpile National Monument A short hike leads to this unique
geologic feature. The National Park Service provides interpretive
tours, restrooms, a Ranger Station, picnic area and campground.
BARRETT, TJ LAKES
Easy .75 mile hike accessing Barrett, then the larger TJ Lake. Trailhead:
Lake George parking lot-look for the sign on the campground side
of the lot. The trailhead is on the backside of the parking lot.
Abundant wildflowers can be found in the meadow area at the upper
end of T.J. Lake.
HORSESHOE LAKE
Very easy 1-mile walk around the lake Trailhead: the Horseshoe parking
lot at the end of Lake Mary Road. The dead trees around the Horseshoe
parking area are the result of Carbon Dioxide emissions from deep
underground-a sign of Mammoth's volcanic and geothermal history.
MCLEOD LAKE
Easy ½ mile hike to the lake Trailhead: Horseshoe Lake parking area.
Look for signs to Mammoth Pass. A great little hike that takes you
to colorful McLeod Lake, this trail begins at the "Mammoth Pass"
sign at Horseshoe Lake. At one-half mile, the left fork leads south
to McLeod Lake; the right fork continues 3.5 miles to Red's Meadow.
INYO CRATERS
0.25 miles. The turnoff for the Inyo Craters trailhead is located
on the Mammoth Scenic Loop road. Follow a graded gravel road to
the trailhead, where a short hike through the forest leads to the
edge of the craters.
MODERATE
SHADOW LAKE and LAKE EDIZA
3.5 miles- 6 miles. Lake Ediza Take the turnoff to Agnew Meadows
campground. From the trailhead parking lot, follow the signs for
"Shadow Lake/River Trail." Start early to avoid intense midday sun
along the steep, exposed switchbacks.
OWENS RIVER GORGE
This is a scenic wonderland that has become a mecca of sorts for
the rock-climbing crowd. Sporty routes flank both sides of this
canyon and many are overhanging desperados. There is great fishing,
hiking and wildlife viewing here as well. Be wary of stinging nettle
plants along the waterways. Access is from Highway 395, 10 miles
north of Bishop at the Owens Gorge Pipeline Road.
BISHOP CREEK CANYON
Bishop Creek Canyon in considered by many to be the premier region
of the entire Eastern Sierra. Beautifully paved roads take you well
above 9,000' into the heart of the High Sierra. Numerous lakes dot
the region including South Lake, Lake Sabrina and North Lake. There
are vast groves of aspen, beautiful granite spires, bubbling brooks,
grassy meadows and languid streams all waiting to be explored. Head
west from Bishop at the main intersection in town at Line Street.
Take Line Street (rt. 168) west for approximately 20 miles to the
end of the road. This road does not cross the Sierra.
BOTTOMLESS PIT
Moderate ¾ mile hike to viewpoint Short and steep, this ascent winds
up Mammoth Mountain from the back of the Twin Lakes campground.
From Tamarack, walk through the campground, over the bridge, following
the road until you see the trailhead sign.
CRYSTAL LAKE, MAMMOTH CREST
Moderate 1.75 miles hike to Crystal Lake, Strenuous 3 miles to Mammoth
Crest Trailhead: Lake George parking area for both trailheads. Gorgeous
views are the reward for the uphill push above Lake George. The
trailhead is to the immediate right of the parking lot entrance
at Lake George. The trail splits to the right for Mammoth Crest,
heading for the Crest about one mile along the trail. You'll be
rewarded with expansive views of the Minarets, Mammoth Mountain
and the Mammoth Lakes Basin Climbing above Lake George through stands
of mountain hemlock; the trail offers striking views of the Mammoth
Lakes Basin.
RAINBOW FALLS
A 1.5-mile moderate hike leads to the top of spectacular Rainbow
Falls. The trailhead parking area is one-half mile past the entrance
to Red's Meadow campground, or you can access the trail just past
Devils Postpile, which makes a nice combination two trail hike.
SHERWIN LAKES and VALENTINE LAKE
2 miles- 5 miles. The trailhead turnoff is on Sherwin Creek Road.
Watch for a sign 1.4 miles from Old Mammoth Road. This 2-mile hike
up a fairly steep path takes you to Sherwin Lakes. Valentine Lake
is 3 miles farther.
DUCK PASS TRAIL
Moderate to Strenuous, depending on how far you go 1-5 miles one-way
up the Duck Pass trail. Trailhead: at the very end of Coldwater
Campground Road The Duck Pass trailhead is located above Coldwater
campground. Duck Lake has an intense, deep-blue color, and is reached
by ascending the steep switchbacks of Duck Pass. Along the way are
Arrowhead, Skeleton and Barney lakes.
TRAIL MILEAGE
ALL TRAIL MILEAGES INDICATED BELOW ARE ONE WAY ONLY
ROCK CREEK LAKE
(9682 Ft.) to:
Kenneth Lake (10,350 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 3 miles
Tamarack Lake (11,580 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
ROCK CREEK ROADS END
(10,250 Ft.) to:
Long Lake (10,543 Ft.) Easy Hike, 2 miles
Mono Pass (12,000 Ft.) Strenuous Hike 3 miles
Trail Lakes (11, 240 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5 miles
ROCK CREEK PACK STATION
(9 840 Ft.) to:
Hilton Lake #2 (9,900 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 3.5 miles
HILTON LAKES PACK STATION
(7,200 Ft.) to:
Davis Lake (9,801 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5 miles
Lake #2 (9,900 Ft.) Strenuous Hike 6 mile
Lake #4 (10, 400 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 7.5 miles
McGEE CREEK
(8,100 Ft.) to:
Beaver Dam (9,000 Ft.) Intermediate Hike 2.5 miles
Big McGee Lake (10,480 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6.5 miles
Steelhead Lake (10,400 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
Golden Lake (10,400 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
CONVICT LAKE
(7,580 Ft.) to:
Lake Mildred (9,760 Ft.) Strenuous Hike 5 miles
Lake Dorothy (10,250 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
LAUREL CANYON JEEP ROAD
(9,770 Ft.) to:
Lake Genevieve (10,150 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 3 miles
SHERWIN CREEK
(7,800 Ft.) to:
Sherwin Lakes (8,620 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2.5 miles
Valentine Lake (9,650 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5 miles
COLDWATER CANYON
(9,050 Ft.) to:
Heart Lake (9,590 Ft.) Easy Hike, 1-mile
Arrowhead Lake (9,660 Ft.) Easy Hike, 1.25 miles
Barney Lake (1O, 200 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2.5 miles
Duck Lake (10,427 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5 miles
Purple Lake (9,900 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 8 miles
Emerald Lake (9,440 Ft.) Easy Hike, 7.5 miles
Sky Meadow (9,700 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2 miles
LAKE GEORGE
(9,008 Ft.) to:
Barrett Lake (9,210 Ft.) Easy Hike, .25 miles
T.J. Lake (9,210 Ft.) Easy Hike, .5 miles
Crystal Lake (9,640 Ft.) Intermediate Hike 1.25 miles
Mammoth Crest (10,640 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 3 miles
Deer Lakes (10,66 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5.5 miles
HORSESHOE LAKE
(8,950 Ft.) to:
McLeod Lake (9,250 Ft.) Easy Hike, .5 miles
Crater Meadows (8,800 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 3.5 miles
Mammoth Pass (9,290 Ft.) Easy Hike, 1 mile
Reds Meadow (7,6OO Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 4 miles
REDS MEADOW
(7,600 Ft.) to:
Rainbow Falls (7,360 Ft.) Easy Hike, 1.25 miles
Fish Creek (6,320 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 8 miles
DEVIL'S POSTPILE
(7,559 Ft.) to:
King Creek (7,607 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 3 miles
Fern Lake (8,790 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
Johnston Lake (8,100 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2 miles
Minaret Lake (8,9OO Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 8 miles
AGNEW MEADOWS
(8,335 FT.) to:
Shadow Lake (8,750 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 3 miles
Lake Ediza (9,300 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 6 miles
Thousand Island Lake (9,834 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 9 miles
Agnew Pass (9,900 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5.5 miles
FERN CREEK
(7,350 Ft.) to:
Fern Lake (8,900 Ft,) Strenuous Hike, 1.5 miles
Yost Lake (9,100 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 3 miles
SILVER LAKE
(7,212 Ft.) to:
Agnew Lake (8,508 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2.5 miles
Gem Lake (9,052 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 3.5 miles
Clark Lakes (9,850 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5.5 miles
Algier Lake (10,640 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 9 miles
PARKER CREEK
(7,950 Ft.) to:
Parker Lake (8,400 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 2 miles
SAWMILL CANYON
(8,100 Ft.) to:
Walker Lake (7,935 Ft.) Intermediate Hike, 1-mile
Mono Pass (10,600 Ft.) Strenuous Hike, 5 miles
June Lake
Nidever Mountain Guides
Po Box 446
June Lake, CA 93529
760-648-1122
Mammoth Lakes
Sierra Mountain Center
Private Registered Guide Service
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
760-387-2858