We didn't see 20 lakes in the basin but enjoying nine peaceful mountain lakes during a single day…read morehike was darn fabulous. Located outside the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, 2.5 miles of dirt road is crossed to reach the trailhead at the closed Saddlebag Lake Resort at 10087 Saddlebag Lake Road. As a former resort, the location has lots of parking but since the closed buildings meant no running water and an outhouse toilet. The often-closed Tioga Road (aka Hwy 120) must be open to get to Saddlebag. For a longer and harder hike, the basin loop can be reached by going up Lundy Canyon located north of Lee Vining and might be an alternative starting point if Tioga is closed. The loop can begin by heading left across the dam, but we went right around eastern side of Saddlebag Lake - the largest and only man-made lake of the hike. The western side is rocky talus while the eastern trail around Saddlebag Lake is longer but has a more comfortable walking surface that was preferred by people fishing in the lake. The remaining lakes appear at regular half-mile intervals with each having their own flavor. The first set of lakes were small and serene Hummingbird Lake, deep and eerie Odell Lake, and classically graceful Lake Helen. We then took a worthwhile and brief side trip down to Lundy Canyon to the cascading Lundy Canyon Falls. We resumed on the loop to see our favorite Shamrock Lake with multiple little peninsulas poking into the lake which was followed by narrow inlet-like Excelsior Lake, cliff-sided Steelhead Lake below the Sphinx-ish Shepherd Crest, unremarkable Wasco Lake, and meadowy Greenstone Lake before returning along the opposite side of Saddlebag Lake. Maps showed two trails between Steelhead and Wasco Lakes. The western trail is incomplete but also led to the best geology with bold green layered rocks. Our hike was 9.3 miles to circle around nine lakes and one waterfall. The elevation varied from 9,900' to 10,400'. Never steep, the terrain rolled up and down which felt like a 1000' elevation change hike. The paths were mostly exposed with few trees. Located in a true basin, the lakes were surrounded by peaks and ridges. Icy snow pockets that survived the summer ensured water flow through the creeks and lakes.

Hiked this as an overnight backpacking trip with 2 friends in late July, it was the most beautiful…read moreamazing hike I've done and seen in a very long time. Drove up from San Diego the night before and tried to get a camping spot at ~7K feet altitude to get adjusted but all the campsites were full, so ended up camping overnight at disbursed camping down the road (still up at altitude, just no facilities and no fires allowed). Woke up in the morning and made a quick stop at Whoa Nellie Deli to use the bathroom, fill up on water etc. And then drove the very rocky road up to the trailhead. I have a Subaru Impreza, all wheel drive but not a lot of lift, so it was doable, but would have definitely felt better in an SUV, although I also saw a Prius in the parking lot so any car can make it I guess. Parked in the parking lot, there are bear boxes there to leave everything from your car that you're not bringing with you on your backs (also bring a bear canister if you're doing overnight!). Then we headed out. We hiked around the north side of Saddlebag lake, which was beautiful, and a little more crowded as a lot of day hikers just hike that lake. We then took the turn off to the right to head up to the rest of the lakes. On day 1 we did about 6 1/2 miles. We kept passing beautiful lake after beautiful lake. There was a point where we were hiking down a pretty steep climb and it started hailing on us! I was relieved we were hiking down at that point and not up with our packs on. I'd recommend having alltrails map downloaded as there are literally no trail markers, there would have been really know what to know which way to go without it. So we kept hiking and climbing, up and down, around more and more lakes. And then we setup camp for the night around Greenstone Lake. Night 1 was Friday night and was very quiet, no other over-nighters around. Night 2 was a Saturday, and it got a bit more crowded. Nothing too crazy, but there were definitely others in sight and ear-shot. We setup for 2 nights, and then did a day hike the next morning up to Conness Lake which was actually possibly the most beautiful lake I've ever seen in my entire life. I even went swimming in the freezing water! On our last day we woke up in the morning, packed up, and hiked out the remaining 3ish miles back around the bottom of Saddlebag Lake.

This review is for Panum Crater Trail which was a ~2.5 miles round trip that took ~1.5 hour to…read morecomplete. This was an unique hike that takes you to the rim of the crater overlooking Mono Lake as well as to the center of the crater filled with obsidian rocks! The trail was mostly sandy and a little rocky closer to the summit. The best views of Mono Lake are on the rim trail! AllTrails GPX route doesn't take you to the summit. Follow the trail for another ~0.2 miles to reach the summit for a brief view of Mono Lake. Required to drive ~0.5 miles on dirt road. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/VurvIs-_Cnw

STEPH JUDGEMENT: One of my favorite hikes in Mono County…read more I've been back several times now, and my appreciation for this place grows each time. And I've finally managed to remember "Bitch Hill" (a term I coined) on my last visit. For some reason I totally blocked it out from my first visit--maybe because I was trying hard not to be blown off the trail by a freak spring storm--but it's a section on the Rim Trail that's quite steep that'll definitely elevate your heart rate. I always start out with the Plug Trail to see all the rocks, and then go back down and do the Rim Trail for the views of the lake. It's not a long hike, but there is that "hill", lol.

Loved this hike. A gorgeous short 2 mile round trip hike to 3 beautiful lakes. Can't get any better…read morethan that. The trail starts out at Lake George and is short and fairly easy, but steep in spots (however going back is all downhill). After hitting the steep spots you will hit Barrett Lake which is the smallest of the 3 lakes and not the prettiest in my opinion. A short walk from Barrett Lake is TJ Lake which is stunning and worth the extra walk. We took a picnic lunch and ate along the shores while taking in the peace and quiet before heading back. Overall takes about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours depending on pace and if you stop to take numerous pics like I did. Park in the Lake George campground.The trailhead is to the left of the parking lot as you drive in. Highly recommend this hike!

This hike was listed as easy. After the first part of climbing the equivalent 3-4 flights of stairs…read moreat 9000 ft it gets super easy. The trail leads you first to Barrett Lake. (Maybe should be renamed Barren Lake...felt very desolate there). Next lake is a quick walk over tiny hill and beautiful TJ Lake is in sight. Absolutely gorgeous! TIP: I did not return the same way I came up this hike. I veered off towards the right of where I entered in and looks to be where TJ lake turns into a creak that flows into Lake George. There were some gorgeous flowers growing next to creek and wonderful small waterfalls. This trail is not on the map that I bought at the visitor center but I took a chance anyway and followed the water hoping that the trail wouldn't end and I would have to trek back up. I found some horse poop along the trail and thought "Hey if a horse can get down here then it must be big enough for me to walk through." This trail is much easier to take going downhill. Not too many large steps and less steep then the way I came up. At the end I came up on some cabins and Lake George! I headed off to the right and came right back to the trailhead.

Epic. Great hike. Took about 50 minutes uphill with multiple switchbacks. Beautiful lakes…read more Beautiful views. Perfect hike.

+ Pleasant trail. Beautiful lake scenery just like in the photo…read more . 4mi hike took 2hr. . Lotta switchbacks. + Good amount of shade throughout the trail. - Lotta mosquitos around Mammoth Lakes hikes. - Wish they carved an optional route straight up the switchbacks for a fun challenge. . 2 restrooms by the trailhead. Moderately maintained. - No hand sanitizer or sink. + Spacious parking.

Breathtaking I…read morewent on a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip to Ruby Lake located in the John Muir Wilderness. No permit required for day-hiking but you do need a permit to camp. The Forest Service reserves 60 percent of permits for advanced reservations and the other 40 percent are available to walk-ins 24 hours before the day of adventure. Trip Details: 3 days, 2 nights Distance from Venice, CA to Mosquito Flats Trailhead: 302 miles Money spent on gas: $128.62 Time of Year: August Weather: 80's during the day, and 30's at night Permit: no permit for day hiking but a permit is required to camp Elevation gain : 908 feet Distance to Ruby Lake from Trailhead: 2.1 miles Dogs: Dogs are allowed Water Temperature: 39 degrees Day 1: We parked in the parking lot at the beginning of the Mosquito Flats Trailhead at the end of Rock Creek Road. We started our hike around 1:00pm and arrived at Ruby lake at 3:30p. When we got to camp, we setup our tents, jumped in the water and then prepared dinner. The weather during the day was in the 80's with clear skies and a nice breeze. The temperature at night was in the high 30's low 40's with very little wind. The night was bright because of the full moon, very minimal wind noise. Day 2: Hiked to Mono Pass and hungout at summit lake before heading back to camp. Weather was also in the 80's during the day and high 30's/ low 40's at night, very little wind. Day 3: The morning before hiking out was very windy and cold in the morning, we hiked out at 9:30 am.

As the other guys wrote: amazing. A great hike with minimal people contact. I hiked up on Sept 3…read moreand there was still lots of snow leftover from last year. I kept going past Ruby Lake to a second, smaller lake. From there one has easy access to the back country. The parking was a little ugly at the trail head: the masses tend to hike to a larger lake on the valley floor. After this hike and on your way back to Mammoth stop off at one of the hot springs near the airport for a soak. This is what I did and my muscles were very grateful.

I entered the Ansel Adams Wilderness to reach 1000 Island Lake…read more Start the 16-mile roundtrip hike with almost 4000' elevation gain at the Silver Lake Campground on the June Lake Loop. Take the trail towards Agnew and Gem Lakes that transverses a cable-pulled rail line. Just before reaching the dam at Agnew Lake, follow signs to Clark Lakes by diverting left to the toughest part of the hike that goes up a rock scree. Enjoy the Clark Lakes and then follow the signs to 1000 Island Lake where the terrain rolls up and down. When approaching 1000 Island from the east, a climatic build up occurs as the trail skirts along a cascading river to one of best lakes imaginable. It's impossible to oversell the beauty of this large mountain lake dotted with vegetated islands and backed by towering granite crags. Although a long hike, plenty of stuff to see along the way maintains interest. Not monotonous (like hikes with only dense forest where every tree stump looks the same), the beginning has great views of Silver Lake followed by the industrial dams and rail tracks, and then the lushly green Clark Lakes - a worthwhile visit of their own. The busiest area was near 1000 Island Lake despite being the furthest from civilization. Consequently, my day-hiker self was in the minority amid the overnight backpackers and the trailhead parking lot was only half full. In late June 2022 during a drought, the lakes were full of water and patches of snow existed but never across the trail.

Activity type: Backpacking Elevation gain at start: 7280…read moreLength: 36 miles total Trail type: out and back Skill level: moderate to strenuous Duration: 3 nights/4 days Top Elevation: 11,500 Total elevation gain: 7882 This hike will start you at the Rush Creek Trail at 7,280. Having climbed this trail so many times It still doesn't get old. It's the Labor Day w/e so the campground was packed with RV's . Although there were a couple of spots left for us backpackers. It was the perfect weather to hike in at 78 degrees. First Man made lake you will encounter will be Gem Lake at 9058 ft. The condition for this lake was appalling. The water level was low and the shore around it was dry. Expect to gain 1778 ft in 5 miles to get to Gem Lake. Alger Lakes is 7.5 miles from the intersection of Gem/Waugh/1000 Island. You start at 9160 ft and expect to gain 1840 ft the the very last of the three lakes. To get to the third Alger Lake you traverse a very scenic and relatively easy narrow trail surrounded by Donohue Peak at 11000 and Koip Peak at 12000. We scrambled up a class 2 nameless pass to get to a lake just below Koip Peak. It was merely a bowl of alpine lake not as big as the first Alger Lake but it was beautiful with dark rocks and nobody but us. No sign of snow since it's facing north. Although there's plenty of sign that the lake was once big and full. Rocks were exposed. Shores were much bigger. On the climb up we saw a not so visible waterfall form the lower lakes and followed it all the way up. At 11,500 the three Alger Lakes were fully exposed. What a scene! Alger Lakes are considered one of the most beautiful area to backpack. It boasts of one of the most beautiful canyon. Colors of green, blue, purple, red and yellow will play a trick on youR mind. I could swear I was in the Grand Canyon. Between the two canyons you will be able to get a glimpse of June lake resort. This is a very difficult hike with a lot of steep switchback climbs for miles and miles. Although the reward in the end and on the way in is worth it's weight in whatever precious metal you can think of. This is a very windy area. It may run 78-80 degrees during the day but the wind is chilled ice at 15-20 miles an hour. You. Will. Get. Cold! At night the wind is even worse. So pack some warm but light clothing and secure your tent. But this is one of my most rewarding trip. Awesome! #backpacking rocks # getoffyourbutt #getoffmybutt #11500 #koip peak12000.

My first time doing this hike and loved it little bit of a challenge, but so worth doing it. There…read moreis an incline so just take your time and take breaks. Really pretty views and the lake was really beautiful. It's worth doing the hike.

The trailhead is off the June Lake Loop between the Four Seasons Lodge and Double Eagle Resort…read more Road signs mark the turn off to a short dirt road that crosses a little wooden bridge. Similar to Crystal Lake (one of the Mammoth Lakes), Fern Lake didn't have special features like cascades, unique colors in the water, or impressive surrounding cliffs. An island with tree obscures seeing across the lake. The trail and Fern Lake had no ferns. It's a good lake but I saw five prettier lakes the day before when going to 1000 Island Lake. Reaching Fern Lake requires a short 3.1-mile roundtrip hike with steep 1500' elevation change. I didn't go to Yost Lake but took a few extra steps towards Yost Lake where a footbridge over Fern Creek was an attractive watery sight. Unexpectedly, the parking lot provided the most entertaining part of the visit. Like watching a nature video, I saw a coyote (sans Acme rocket booster) catch a squirrel (not a road runner) in the parking lot.

2023 - Camped three nights during late July. The surrounding mountains still had snow, and the…read morewater in the lake was freezing. But it was the mosquitoes that I'll never forget. Pros - Beautiful location. - They've leveled out the area where you put your tent. - Lots of things to do in the area. - Nice trail around the lake. - The little lakes trail, just up the road, was really fun. - Quiet, with the exception of the noise from the raging creeks. Cons - Internet is 9 miles away. So plan day trips way in advance. - Some walk-in sites are poorly identified and are located far from the parking lot and bathrooms. - This is a fishing lake, not a swimming lake. - Mosquitoes. - No on-site showers.

Rock Creek Lake Campground is one of the prettiest and cleanest campgrounds I've been to in a long…read moretime. This campground is right on the beautiful Rock Creek lake near Mammoth, CA. Sites are on a first-come-first-serve basis and there are friendly on-site managers. I want to focus my review on the "Walk-to" tent sites since there wasn't much information about them on the website and it may help others plan their visit better. "Walk-to" sites are tent sites you have to walk to. You will not be parking your car near your camping area. These sites are a little distance away. At this campground the "walk-to" sites are #21-26. The walk isn't too bad, it was about 150-200 adult steps from the car spaces to these sites (yes, I counted!) The walk is a dirt trail on pretty much level ground, which takes you over a lovely bridge that crosses over the creek (photo op spot!) then you walk through an aspen covered trail to your site. These 6 partially to fully shaded sites are all on the edge of a large creek which streams out into the lake. It is wonderful to listen to at night! These sites are pretty secluded from the main campground. THese sites are very private, but If you want more privacy try site #21, it is the last site on the trail. SIte #22 seems to have the largest area of space. Sites #25/26 are closest to the parking area, but they don't have too much privacy from the trail walkers. Women love to know the details on campground restrooms...so this info is for you gals: yes, the restrooms are a bit far from these 'walk-to' sites, so I would suggest investing in a camping potty and a shower tent. Both are not expensive at all and are super fast to set up. A camping potty is basically a home depot bucket (w/ a trash bag, of course) & a snap-on toilet lid. Throw it in your shower tent and voila! no more worries, especially if you are camping with little ones :) If you don't want to do the camping potty thing, then try and get site # 25/26 because they are closest to the restrooms. Also, don't forget to borrow the courtesy wheelbarrows to help you cart your camping gear from your car to your site. You can also purchase wood bundles from the managers. ($15 for 3 bundles). IMPORTANT TO KNOW: this campground is quiet. THere are lots of fishermen in and around the lake and they prefer quiet surroundings. There are lots of shady trees, lots of picnic tables along the beachy area, and a mini store right outside the campground in case you need toiletries or want souveniers. CAUTION: the altitude is high, about 10,000ft, so give yourself time to adjust (altitude headaches are no joke!) MUST SEE: Take the easy hike up to the Valley Lakes area for some heavenly sites that will take your breath away! Have fun!