The first time I visited HorseShoe Lake, the lot was packed, and the hike was no joke! I was out of shape, and there was still a lot of snow on the trail in July! It was tough. My cousin even had a close call when he accidentally slid off the trail, ran down 100 feet, and narrowly missed hitting trees. (Slipper snow) Despite the challenges, the reward at the top was well worth it. It was a beautiful, secluded lake. Some of us tried a little fishing, while the girls jumped into the freezing cold water for a swim. The water was so "pristine" that my hair felt conditioned afterward. It was magnificent, the water felt untouched and almost holy! This past summer, we hiked it again for the 4th of July, and it was so much easier because I had lost 20 pounds, haha! I'd say the hike is about 13 minutes up, around 2 miles round trip, and great for all ages. Just make sure you're in decent shape and don't have any serious health concerns. When I was 20 pounds heavier, the hike felt like a 10/10 in difficulty. Now, it's more like a 3/10, a total breeze! read more

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When you arrive, you see a bunch of dead tree and the waterline really low. Your first impression is "huh. But as you walk around the lake, you're surrounded by beautiful lush green pines. Small quaint bridges over stream beds. The wind in the trees with a beautiful view of the lake and its surroundings. It's a very easy straight walk. Highly recommend read more

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I know there's lots of history here by this lake, but i have to give it 3 stars due to this following warning sign in the area which reads: co2 emission area natural toxic gas -co2 is odorless colorless tasteless and is heavier than air avoid: *tree wells *buildings surrounded by snow -falling in fresh snow do not dig snow caves! the lake is drying up and the surrounding trees are dying and i'm wondering if the co2 emission played a role. we stayed for about 20 minutes and left. read more

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This is one of the many lakes just out of the town in Mammoth Lakes. It is the furthest by car. I am going to write a short review however about Lakes Badin Path which ends or starts just near here and includes this lake. There are about 4 lakes which are included in this hike or drive. This is a great paved trail to run or bike along to see a few of the main lakes just out of the town. The basin trail basically goes from Horseshoe Lake, then past Lake Mamie, then all the way down towards Twin Lakes. It is about 4 miles and fairly steep at points, but so worth it. Best time to visit is during the fall or early winter before the snow is too much to pass. Highly recommend this path and all the vistas and views. read more

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I have been coming here since I was a small child. ( I'm 79). For those who don't know-- carbon dioxide is most of what you-- human being-- breathe out when you exhale. I am not making this up. (https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/carbon-dioxide-co2-in-blood/). It is not a toxic Gas. because it is heavier than oxygen, it can displace oxygen in small or enclosed spaces. That is when , in rare circumstances, it can be a problem. There is a nice level Trail that goes around the lake. Because Mammoth gets most of its water supply from MCLeod lake, a lake above Horseshoe which has outlets into HORSESHOE, in low snow years when the town is using a lot of water, the water level in Horseshoe can get very low . This year the water level is quite high. While swimming is allowed in Horseshoe lake, the water,temperature in the lake is,usually quite cold. Naturally, it is less cold where the water is shallow. I have not gone for a swim in this lake for many decades for that very reason. I truly love this gem and I will Wade in it for a few minutes until my feet turn blue from the cold. read more

@RenoTahoe, I promise I'm not cheating on you. #HomeMeansNevada, which means you hold the most important place in my heart, but dammit if Mammoth Lakes seriously made me think twice this weekend! Here are the facts: FACT - Horseshoe Lake is a VERY short drive from the center of town. FACT - If the road is open, you can just about drive up to the shore line. FACT - This just may be the poster child for Alpine Lakes FACT - There's a potty on site, which is open when the roads are open. FACT - Apparently snow melt can create dangerous CO2 concentrations, and that's why the road was closed during our visit. FACT - If the mountains surrounding have snow on em, the water is probably cold. FACT - Dogs don't seem to care how cold the water is though. FACT - The road this lake is off of leads to other lakes, and you can walk or hike your way there! Seriously though, this was my first site this weekend in Mammoth, and it stole the show. Quiet, magnificent, beautiful, and just what I needed to kickstart a great Fourth Of July Weekend with some exceptional friends. If you're in the area I highly suggest a drive up this direction to explore. Horsehoe Lake taught me where Mammoth Lakes gets its name and opened my eyes to the incredible beauty of this region of our country! read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

Great hike but a little tough with the kiddos. It was an "easy" hike on All Trails, and maybe it would have been if we didn't have 8 kids with us! We had to go through a lot of narrow bushes, climb over some wet areas, some even still had snow/ice. I think it was supposed to be 1.6 miles round trip but felt more like 3 miles. Had some great views, but there were a ton of bugs! I got at least 4 bites! read more

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All lakes in Mammoth are awe inspiring. The Horseshoe lake is no exception. The snow clad mountains and the crystal clear waters will bring nothing but a sense of serenity to you when you visit this place. Also, can fish and kayak here. Love it! read more

Horseshoe Lake - Beautiful lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

Beautiful little hike where you can follow the trail around the lake easily or also go off trail some to get closer to the water. We went on Nov 1. Found some melting ice and a few streams. Easy walk around overall and then went to lake McCleod which was well worth the short hike up to see. Definitely do both if you can. Total for both was approximately 4 miles. read more

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Interesting Trees. Horseshoe Lake has some great landscape views and is a short hike if interested in something easy. There is a grove of trees without leaves (I believe from a fire or some other natural disaster). Overview: This is a scenic place for a nice stroll, but i think there are locations throughout Mammoth with better views or things to see. I've been to and reviewed a few of them if interested. read more

This is a really fun lake to go and hang out. Dogs absolutely love this place. I am not so sure about all of these danger signs posted around the lake. It kind of seems weird to me that the Mammoth Fire Department would host their 25th anniversary Canoe Races and BBQ here if it was so dangerous. That is what they did today and there were people and dogs swimming in the water and laying on the beach. People were having picnics and the Fire Department was cooking up a huge BBQ. It is nice to take the trolley up here with bikes and ride the trail system back down to the village. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

Imagine having a Lake to yourself where your can hear the dragonflies think? It's amazing! read more

This lake is kind of sad now. The water is going down. Mark Hoppus: Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Down Okay I'll spear you the singing. I have pictures of me when I was around 2 or so with my sister hanging out on the picnic table with my bottle and with a fishing pole on hand. My father would mention from time to time about how my sister caught a trout here and my father gave it away because we didn't have a kitchen since we used to stay at Motel 6 before upgrading to a condo years later. That was in the early 1980's when the lake was actually full. Then the water started going down and the trees around started to die. Last year we came here to drive around with my nephew in tow and it was his first time coming up to Mammoth. We saw people practicing fly fishing (which I haven't done yet...shocking I know) and then walked a ways to the water. The water is low. There my nephew had a good time jumping in the puddles and the mud. My sister noticed how low it was and I said yup. There are probably no or little fish here and people play fetch with their dogs. There are plenty of parking as well as the bike paths comes through here as well as the Sierra High Trail runs through here and it goes to Red's Meadows. read more

Very interesting place to visit, even though its a sight you shouldn't be walking around with pets or and small children. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

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Beautiful after a ton of snow that descended on this mountain this year (2016). Lake was filled and water was cold even in summer! Great beach like lake and lots of sunbathers and some stand up paddle boarders... Very quiet and much less crowded than Lake Mary, Lake George, or Twin Lakes.... read more

Came here accidentally trying to find the Mammoth Adventure Center (long story). Dogs are allowed to wade in the water here, according to signage. Also saw some people practicing paddle boarding. Maybe I came at a good time, but the lake actually looked quite nice. It didn't seem as muddy and dark as some of the other pictures make it out to be (Although I'm sure it's probably smaller than it once was, considering the walk to the lake from the parking lot). The water however was crystal clear, you could see straight through the bottom. It's also extremely shallow due to drought, I'm pretty sure you could walk all the way across and only go maybe knee deep. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

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Best disk golf experience i've had in years. Amazing staff and amazing course! 18 holes in the front, 18 holes in the back for Westcourse. Lovely pulled pork sandwiches for lunch and some golf carts to help speed up the play! 100% fun all day! read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

I love this lake, I love that's it's a doggo friendly and the kid loves it's well. I've been twice over the last 2 years, I try to make it up there at least once a year. This year was really cold compared to the year before but we still had fun with the paddle boards. read more

The 2017 snowpack refilled the lake and Horseshoe Lake is beautiful again! Other Yelpers are right - the carbon dioxide is a concern, as evidenced by the grove of dead trees on the lake's edge, so come on a day with a breeze and take in one of Mammoth's real treasures. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Water levels are back up at Horseshoe, following 2017's great break in the drought. - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

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I've got about sixteen childhood stories about good ol' Horseshoe Lake, but I'll spare you the details. Most of them. Who am I kidding? Of the five lakes easily accessible by car in Mammoth Lakes, this is the only one that isn't stocked. That's not to say that there aren't any fish in Horseshoe Lake--my brother caught a little one once--but you're wasting your time if you come here for angling. I'm not exactly sure why they don't stock the lake, but I would assume because it's so shallow. It used to be really depressing coming here in the mid-'80s because some years the lake-bed would be almost completely dry. Beyond the initial elation of being able to walk in a dry lake--kind of like standing in the deep end of an empty pool--I always got really sad. Thankfully, the lake has filled up again quite nicely, although it's still not as expansive as it once was. (You can tell by looking at the treeline around all but the northern shores of the lake. OK, here comes a kind of complicated story. In the late '80s and early '90s, the trees north of Horseshoe Lake (where the parking lot is) began to wither and die rather suddenly. For a few years, scientists believed the trees had some kind of disease, and there were concerns that if this wasn't stopped the disease would spread throughout the area. Eventually--and I think someone died before they figured this out--they discovered that the trees didn't have a disease; they were getting too much carbon dioxide to their roots. Trees "breathe" carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, but if they get too much carbon dioxide, they die. But where was this carbon dioxide coming from? The ground, of course. In case you didn't know, the City of Mammoth Lakes is basically built on top of an active volcano--OK, many active volcanoes. Much of the Sierra Nevada is active, which is why there are earthquakes, hot springs, and interesting geological features. I'm not a scientist, so I don't understand it completely, but carbon dioxide from fissures in the earth beneath Horseshoe Lake began to escape rapidly around the same time the trees began dying. So, problem solved, right? Well, for the trees, that's true. There's no need to worry about them; they just happened to grow in the wrong place at the wrong time. But this formerly unknown off-gassing of carbon dioxide from volcanic fissures is also deadly to humans. (Again, I think someone did die here, but I'm not sure.) But Horseshoe Lake is outdoors, so the stuff just dissipates into the atmosphere, right? Yes and no. Yes, it does, but there also used to be rest rooms in the parking lot, and people would sometimes camp here. Once the carbon-dioxide theory was confirmed, they closed the bathrooms and eventually removed them altogether. If you had spent time inside the rest rooms (or any other enclosed structures), you would have eventually been "poisoned" by this carbon dioxide like the trees were. It's safe to spend time at Horseshoe Lake, but don't stay (or leave your pets) in your car with the windows rolled up. Also, you shouldn't camp here. It's still a wonderful, kind of odd place to relax. Of all the local lakes, Horseshoe Lake feels the most like a non-fishing "beach" lake--I didn't know lakes could have beaches until I lived in the Midwest for a few years--and because no one's fishing, you don't have to worry about being quiet or not disturbing the water. You can play, paddle a raft, and swim in it without fear of pissing anyone off. OK, there might still be one guy who is annoyed, but don't worry about him. It's also a nice place to picnic. UPDATE: 5/19/13 ============== I'm not so sure it's safe to picnic or spend any extended amount of time here. Before you go, it might be a good idea to call the ranger to find out about the dangers. If you do go, read all the signs when you're here, and don't come alone. It's a pretty out-of-the-way lake, so don't assume anyone will come by. You're on your own, so use your head. read more

Sadly this lake is just a shadow of its former self. It has become one of the most depressing spots for me to see here in Mammoth. As a kid I remember swimming and hiking around here all the time during the summers. Now, I see a lake that is barely there any more. It has lost most of its horseshoe shape too =( It does provide for an extremely good photo opportunity though. With or without puppies in it as the dogs are allowed here. But the stark white sand, the lush greenery in the background, the JMT off in the hills behind it, definitely a gorgeous bit of scenery. There is also a large parking lot here as it is the trailhead for several other short hikes to other nearby lakes. None the less it does hold some beauty that is most definitely worth seeing when up in the area. read more

I can see both sides to the reviews. After 1 or 2 visits, this place can seem very depressing or a bit scary with the low water and dead trees. After spending so much time at Horseshoe Lake, and also learning about why it is the way it is, it is a beautiful and peaceful place worth visiting. After walking around the lake and along the shore with my mom, I converted her from not liking Horseshoe to liking it. The water level is very low right now, and gets worse as the lack of snow continues. Unlike most of the other lakes in the area, Horseshoe is fed mostly by onsite snowmelt whereas the others are fed by multiple lakes, or large glacier melt. There are also said to be fissures under the lake that are slowly draining the lake. Horseshoe Lake has promise of being less depressing after a few good snow years help raise the water level. Since Horseshoe Lake does not feed the drinking water system, it is the only road-accessible lake that allows swimming. The tree kill area is one of a kind in California, as far as I know, and worth learning about. The CO2 discharge rate has slowed quite a bit, and where dead trees now stand are a ton of baby live trees competing to take their place in the decades that come. The gem of the lake is the trail that goes through the wilderness around the lake. Don't let the dead trees deceive you! Around the lake is a beautiful hiking and mountain biking trail with amazing views of the lake, several creeks (mostly dry), and beautiful rock formations. It is the best unpaved walking trail without having to go on an actual hike. There are always several mountain bikers on the trail, as well as locals walking their dogs. I am amused by the number of people that bring small dogs as they are closest to the CO2 danger, yet the dogs seem to survive and be in good spirits. Other than that, there is very little risk to humans in the summer as long as you stand and don't use umbrellas/tarps/etc. that will trap the gas. Most of the risk is in the winter where large amounts of CO2 get trapped under the snow and can quickly disable snowmobiles and people. I love Horseshoe Lake as it is now, but I can't wait to see what it becomes the next 10 years, as hopefully the lake will fill more, and the baby trees grow. read more

Amazingly beautiful views, soothes the soul..nice trails, they had people kayaking, horseback riding, walking the trails, bicycling..would definately return!! read more

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Avoid at all costs! They have carbon dioxide hazard zone signs everywhere! Did some research and it appears the carbon dioxide has been leaking from the soil for years now killing all trees and nature around. I ended up in the hospital due to the change in elevation and being surrounded in a carbon dioxide area didn't help. Based on the online research, carbon dioxide is not deadly but can be for children and pets. If I had known this before, I would have never gone there. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Carbon Dioxide Hazard Zone signs posted near parking area - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

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A sad, depressing, somewhat scary place. A few hundred yards in any direction, there is epic natural beauty. This spot in the middle looks like the aftermath of a weird natural disaster that happened a long time ago, like "zombie invasion, the aftermath", and it did. This must be nature's way of telling us who's in charge. Lots of dead trees. Nothing grows here. The lake is way down, not from the drought or anything we humans did. Going around the lake there are remains of old cabins and other things that are removed or abandoned, like this used to be a cheerful happy place where people would visit but no more. On the positive side, you can always find free parking here, and they keep the bathrooms clean and shiny, the few that aren't closed off due to suffocation hazard. And on the side of the lake that isn't so toxic, there is a beautiful flat landscape of pine forests with huge boulders scattered underneath. There are some weird detailed signs telling you not to stay too long in one place, or get anywhere near a snow cave or depression, or lie down on the ground, particularly with your face down. Of these, only one is helpful, and it is titled "What happened here?" Meanwhile, a bunch of people are sunbathing or playing fetch with their dogs in the sandy former lake bottom. On the good side, as long as you keep your head up and there is a breeze, you are likely not to get carbon dioxide poisoning. Also, they say that the likelihood of a sudden volcanic eruption is not very high. read more

The fact that the soil and the trees around the lake are unnaturally white and bare (in the summer) made us decide to try another place for our picnic. There is a lot of space and parking though. Looking past the white dead trees to the lush green ones in the back sets up a nice photo. Tree, lake, mountains lol xD There is also an easy trail going around the lake :) read more

A good starting point to start a relatively downhill bike ride. Great view of the mountains in the back. Didn't see as many people fishing here, though a lot of people hanging out. read more

Sweet, little lake! Cute picnic spot. Very, very easy hike/walk around the lake. Took our elderly canine here for a morning walk. Very easy with lots little coves and nooks to take breaks or have a snack. The elderly doggy appreciated it. Probably really great walk for people with mobility issues, children or small/elderly dogs. Nice scenery for such being a smaller lake. This would make a great picnic spot! Pros: Short, low difficulty walk. Parking. Impossible to get lost or stray too far from civilization! Cons: Bathrooms kinda gross. Probably less scenic than other spots. read more

Great place for dogs to socialize and have some fun in the water while you take in the background scenery of the south face of mammoth. Even on July 4th weekend, there was ample parking spaces and easily accessible from the village. read more

Well the below poster almost got it right. The danger at Horseshoe is not from o2 (Oxygen), but rather the opposite. Co2 is the problem. The below has it backwards. The reason it is dangerous is that the Co2 is heavier than air and settles in the low lying areas. This can be dangerous for a child close to the ground, etc.. The Co2 has been introduced due to recent volcanic activity in and around Horseshoe Lake. Pure oxygen is not poisonous, that is silly. Unless it is breathed under pressure as in diving below 30 ft plus (under the pressure of water). Then it causes narcosis. And normally leads to death from the diver getting drunk in a way..... and removing their air supply (they drown themselves). Pure oxygen is actually used to save divers from decompression sickness, and can be life saving. So.... to clarify. The tree's around Horseshoe Lake died from overdoses of c02 NOT oxygen (o2). The levels of co2 in and around Horseshoe Lake are reading at 22%-90%. Normal co2 levels should read 1%, so you can see the high concentration is at dangerous levels. While it is true that trees, and other living plants absorb co2 and turn that into oxygen (photosynthisis), these high levels of co2 are very deadly to any living organism. Thus the roots of the trees were not able to absorb other nutrients the tree needs..... and the trees died as a result. And as far as fish..... lol. I am going there early tomorrow morning to fly fish. I love that noone believes there are any fish in the lake. Means more for me!!! Shhhhhhh.... don't tell anyone! read more

There's a super easy trail that goes around Horseshoe Lake. You can take a lot of pretty photos and enjoy the view. There's also a shuttle that drops off a lot of bikers here so they can bike down a few paths back into town. My only gripe is that there's a high amount of carbon dioxide in or around this lake and it thereby is a health hazard to go in. That's totally fine, but it would have been nice if there was more than one sign posted. It says no dogs or people should go in the lake, but if you hike in on the backside, you won't see the sign until you circle to the most north part of it where the bathrooms are located. read more

This hike is extremely beautiful. We took my mom who is in her 70's and she enjoyed it very much. I also had our two young boys with us (6&8) and they had a lot of fun too. I was able to catch a few brook trout off a dry fly and with the water crystal clear, I had a blast! We went towards the end of June and found some spots of snow too. Tons of fun. read more

Horseshoe Lake - Lakes Near Me - Mammoth Lakes, California

I had a similar experience at Yellowstone National Park. Last fall I stopped at an extremely active area called Mud Volcano. There were two restrooms at one end of the parking lot. The one nearest the volcano had an open door (which I thought was unusual) so I took the other one which had the door closed. I wasn't in there two minutes when I began to feel faint. On leaving, I thought the restroom had probably captured CO2 from activity in the area -- and wondered if that was why the other one had been left open. How like that experience was to the one of the author. read more

We just got back last Monday 9/2/2013 - Horseshoe Lake was dry, you could walk anywhere inside it as there was not a drop of water. Also, be aware, this is also a place where one can die of carbon dioxide, and stay on the trails as there are plenty of bears out here once you venture into the forest toward other lakes in the area that are not dry. Mammoth is the HEAVEN for anything outdoor, from mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, horse back riding, off-roading, ATV, the list goes on... plus hours of great hikes. Go now before the campsites closes, unless you don't mind paying to stay at the many expensive motels and hotels that are not woroth the money they charge. Most hotels here charge as much as the 4 star hotels in San Francisco!! read more