I can't believe nobody has reviewed this awesome hike yet! The hike begins at Mono Village…read moreCampground which can be found by turning onto Twin Lakes road in Bridgeport and taking said road all the way to end, which is the Campground. You can park in the day use area if you're just doing a day hike but if you plan on doing backcountry camping, you'll need to pay them the $10 bucks to leave your car overnight. That $10 will buy you up to 7 days of parking. Follow the road between the maze of tents and motor homes until you reach the sign that marks the official beginning of the trail to Barney Lake. Take that trail roughly 4 miles up and you'll find it. It's simply gorgeous and an amazing view up there. From here, you can turn around and head back or continue up the trail to Robinson Lakes, Crown Lake, Snow Lake, and eventually, Yosemite National Park. The trail is very easy to follow and is mostly on an even level. There's switchbacks towards the end as you near the lake, but they're not bad incline wise. From car to lake and back to the car, it's just a hair over 9 miles. This is one of my favorite hikes in the area and I do it at least once or twice every season. Just please be respectful and leave no trace. Also, this area is known to be popular with Bears. I've personally never seen one here, but a lot of others have. That being said, you have nothing to be fearful of. If you do come across one, give it plenty of room and respect and you'll be fine and for god's sake DON'T FEED THEM! Or any wildlife for that matter. You have no idea how many moronic tourist I yell at for feeding squirrels and deer. Lol.

This is easily one of the most popular waterfalls in South Tahoe on the California side, and it…read morecompletely lives up to the hype! Just a heads-up on the trail getting there: it is definitely a tough, rugged hike. The path is full of rocks and kept completely natural, so you really have to watch your footing. Honestly, coming back down was just as much of a workout and challenge as hiking up. But once you reach the destination, the sheer beauty of the falls makes every single step worth it. It's actually made up of several different falls cascading down the mountainside right into Cascade Lake below. Getting close to that cold, refreshing mountain water felt incredible after the trek. The drive from our hotel in South Lake Tahoe was only about half an hour, making it the perfect, easy half-day adventure. If you're up for a bit of a rocky scramble, don't miss this one!

This ended up being one of my favorite hikes in Lake Tahoe. It's definitely more enjoyable in the…read morespring or fall, when there's less fog and you can fully take in the surrounding scenery, but even so, I was happy with the experience. Reaching the waterfalls was especially rewarding and made the hike well worth it.

The map on Yelp does not give an accurate location of this day use picnic and rest area, so please…read morerefer to the google map link below the review or the USDA Forest Service web site I have included in the business information area. I stopped at this rest area driving south on the 395 on my way home from Mammoth Mountain. I was in the need of a pit stop and to walk around a bit to loosen my legs. Shingle Mills Day use area is located a few miles south as you leave the town on Walker in Mono County, California. At present, it does not have an address, just the latitude and longitude coordinates I have provided on the address line. It was the best I could do for travelers to find its exact location. The rest area offers a paved road and parking. They have restrooms but no potable water. However, the Walker River does run well right along side the area. The rest area offers picnic tables and plenty of shade from the pine trees. It was in good condition and I enjoyed my 20 minute rest here before hitting the road again. It's also I nice place to take a few snap shots of the river. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shingle+Mill+Flat+Picnic+Ara/@38.4482327,-119.4564976,241m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x1ebeab3bbe93808a!8m2!3d38.4484055!4d-119.456721?hl=en-US

Too crowded. Boats are too loud. Jet skis make too much noise. Lake gets too much algae.read more

The loud motor boats were very disruptive, driving back-and-forth all day in front of the beach…read morewhere little kids and people paddleboard. This place has gotten worse Each time I return. And I live close so I try and come here at least three or four times to camp a year. Some of these motor boats are unbelievably loud!

Needed a place to stop for a break in driving to let the dogs run. Beautiful park, big shady trees,…read moreplayground if you have kids, picnic tables and trash receptacles. There a nice patch of grass across parking lot to let your dogs out in lawn, poop bag station, water found/faucet for dogs. Public restrooms, adequate for rest area, real flush toilets. Large parking area. Beautiful place to stop, will visit here again. ***Dog area and main park are not fenced/enclosed.

Great stopping spot when heading along US 395. Nice park with a playground and picnic area. The…read morepublic bathrooms were clean.

Have you ever gone somewhere that reminded you just how big the world truly is? Twin Lakes did that…read morefor me and I'd rank it as my most spectacular Eastern discovery to date! It starts on the drive in. The panoramic views of the valley are breathtaking and the mountains so impressive that their scale is felt on first sight. That feeling only grows as you get closer until they surround and you realize how truly massive they are. The lakes are equally beautiful and breathtaking. Clear and cold water flows from the mountain into the two lakes. The local conservation organizations make sure this area stays clean and filled with fish, making this a fantastic angling destination. We enjoyed the shores of Upper Twin Lakes this Memorial Day weekend and found plenty of places to set up for the afternoon. Parking was a little tricky, so just prepare for that and a walk from the car with your things to ensure a fantastic time. The water in May was quite cold and shallow a ways out, so waders are recommended for anyone who wants to fish from shore, though there were many who were successful without them. All in all, this is a rad area to explore with lots of camping options around. I'm looking forward to another visit soon.

Loved this place! Beautiful scenery. Friendly folks. Great sites! WiFi works great when campground…read moreisn't full

The Rubicon Trail was certainly a hike that we stumbled upon by chance. After visiting Baldwin…read moreBeach, we were looking for somewhere to see the infamous Emerald Bay and see the lake from a different viewpoint. After paying the $10 entrance fee to park, we saw that there was an option for a hike to get to a waterfall. One thing to keep in mind is the steep incline throughout most of the trail - this would definitely be a hike that I would consider as moderate difficulty. Overall, I believe that my Apple Watch clocked 3.75 miles for the hike round trip! Getting to the waterfall and spending time in the visitors center and around the base of the lake was a treat!

I picked the perfect day to hike; temp was 70 around 2 pm. I had read that the D.L Bliss Camp…read moreaccess to the Rubicon trail was closed but Emerald Bay was open. We headed to EB camp grounds. Being this the first time we attempted to hike at The Rubicon, we had questions. The park rangers gave us a free 20 min pass to drive inside and see where the trail was. We explored the area; some construction was happening but trail was accessible. We were happy with what we saw, it was a beautiful day and I had a backpack full of water and snacks. We went back to pay the 10 dollar fee for the day pass and we headed out towards our journey. The path was pretty easy heading to Vikingsholm Castle hardly broke a sweat. We enjoyed clear beautiful panoramic views of the lake. It was quite breathtaking. Not too many people on the trail and that was quite peaceful and enjoyable. A lot of people when we arrived at the Vikingholm Castle. We took a few photos there and enjoyed the cool breeze then headed back. Boy oh boy did I underestimate that climb back to camp. My mind was saying "yes you can" but my old bones and lungs were not very convinced. I hadn't been hiking like this in about 5 years but I survived without reaching for my Life Alert pendant; kidding, not kidding. It was just a reminder that I have to do this more often to get conditioned again. It was a nice accomplishment even though I just did 1.5 miles of the 12 mile hike. I'll push to do 3 next time. It was really great to get out and enjoy nature like that. We are so lucky to live so close to all this beautiful scenery. It was quite refreshing, I felt great. We stopped at Camp Richardson on our way back and enjoyed some ice cream; a perfect ending to our beautiful day.

Beautiful park! We hiked around the North Grove and it was wonderful. The park is one of the most…read morewell maintained parks I have experienced. There is also a cute food truck near the visitor center that had the best garlic fries I have ever had. North Grove was really great for families with smaller kids. The hike wasn't too strenuous. We did the Overlook trail and it was around 2 miles. The kids had a few stops for snacks along the way but overall it was great for them.

Giant trees, wild mushroom, snow cover paths, and wild stuff animals - it was an adventure…read more -been wanted to check out the "GIANTS" and they didn't disappoint. I guess January is the most awesome time to visit. Whether was nice and warm, with snow play still available in the parking lot and on the trails. Perfect day to be outdoor. -Park is very well kept and accessible for all. The North Cove Trail was a walk in the pak with stunning display of different trees. Look carefully, wild mushroom has been inoculated and is ready for their debuted. -Visitor center and ranger were very informative. -Pro tip: if your family is the outdoorsy type, buy a California State Park Pass - include entrance to this place and you can skip the line when visiting on a busy weekend....

Amazing natural Hot springs. We stopped by here on our way from Tahoe to Mammoth and really enjoyed…read morethe beautiful scenery and the natural Hot springs which were really awesome. One tip if you get to the main springs try not to go to the one on the right which is the bigger pool because it's more stagnant water and so there were a lot of these red looking worms or maggots swimming in there. The smaller pool on the left is much cleaner as there are two mini waterfalls that are keeping the water circulating and fresh. Anything less than five stars is an injustice so a glowing five stars and two thumbs up for Travertine Hot Springs!

Travertine Hot Spring is one of those rare places that stays with you long after you leave…read more I've been lucky enough to experience this spot in multiple seasons and it truly delivers every single time. Whether it's a crisp winter soak with snow on the ground, a calm spring sunrise, warm summer nights, or the quiet stillness of fall, this place always feels right. What makes it special isn't just the hot springs themselves, but the feeling of escape. At night, the sky opens up, endless stars, the Milky Way glowing above you, and if you're patient (or lucky), shooting stars cutting across the darkness. It's peaceful in a way that's hard to find anymore. This is my favorite place to unplug, reset and breathe. No noise, no rush, just nature doing what it does best. Respect the land, pack out what you bring in and soak it all in. If you're looking for a true Eastern Sierra experience raw, beautiful and unforgettable this is it.

One of the most beautiful places in the area and that's saying a lot. Amazing trail starting a Big…read moreVirginia Lake and climbing to above 10000 ft and passing several more. It's like something you would see in the movies. As far as trails go they are good and well kept. Starting at Virginia which is seemingly the only one around and before you know it You've passed several lakes, Big Valley, Blue Lake, Green Lake, Trumbull Lake and Moat Lake a far piece up the trail. This particular trail is about 10miles out and back but you can push on or go back at any time. If you only walked 1 mile you would enjoy. Amazing views. Two bald eagles near the 10ft level as well as other wildlife. Even an old miners cabin that is said to be from the 1800s. My first time on this hike but not my last. Highly highly recommended.

HAD I KNOWN THIS WAS THE LAST TIME…read more.. Those who know me, know that I'm not much of a backpacker. The whole idea of sleeping in a bag, on air, in the cold, without a morning shower just doesn't appeal to me. All the years I've been hiking, decades, I only recently started backpacking. Goes back to the words of dad, "how can you say you don't like it if you don't try it?" Of course, he was referring to food, I'm the one that applies it to everything else. Hiking SisTa researched and planned to lead this trip for 10 crew members. Why only 10? Cuz she was able to obtain a permit for 10 people. Yes, a permit is required. Our first night was spent at Trumbull campground, half mile from the Virginia Lakes Trailhead, in the Hoover Wilderness, where she reserved a group campsite, for a reasonable fee. As the sun rose, so did we. With coffee brewin', oatmeal stewin', we prepped our gear for a seven mile trek with a gain/loss elevation of 1,500 ft. Trailhead sits at 9,805ft, with the highest point being Summit Pass at 11,100 ft. With the sun glowing in the bluest of blue skis, the brisk air was a sure sign it was going to be perfect weather for this heavy duty hike. The first lake we came across, but didn't cross, was Blue Lake. This lake separates two mountains & runs longer than it does wide. Just above the lake is an old dilapidated miner's cabin. Miner's sure were short & thin, the entrance was barely big enough for me to fit through, let alone full grown men. The interior is decorated with all things left behind; old furniture, including a table which still has items sitting on it. Did ya pack your fishing pole? At 10,240ft, big boulder create a frame for Cooney Lake. The first fishing hole since the trailhead. About another 100ft of elevation gain from Cooney, is Frog Lake. Rightfully named, we could hear the frog choir, ribbiting songs of the frog. Ok, enough stunning views of amazing lakes, we found ourselves in a green meadow. Smh, This trek is so amazing, can't believe it's real, but it is, & it's spectacular. Till we hit the switchbacks up the summit. Ugh!!! Visions of the 99 switchbacks hiking up to the summit of Mt. Whitney filled my mind. Pinch me, I can't believe my eyes, I'm so on top of the world. At 11,000 ft. the top of the summit Mother Nature is spread out, all virgin like, virtually untouched by man, she is so astonishingly beautiful. Trekking down the switchbacks heading toward a green meadow & super tall pine trees, was entirely the reward we needed after a strenuous ascent up the other side, to keep calm & hike on. Ok, well, we didn't really keep calm. Gasps, ooooh's, aha's, & all things expression, comprehensive sentences were just not. Hiking along a lake, we took a sharp right, just a few feet in, we were "home". We got really lucky, having met & chatted up a ranger on the way in, she told us where the estate sized campsite was, we found it, and it was unoccupied. Woo hoo!!! Perfect!! Not a minute to breath, we set up camp and prepped for dinner. As the sun set, the air turned crisp & shadows danced across the arid mountains creating dramatic performance by nature. Sitting around the campfire, in such peaceful surroundings, set the scene for reflection, appreciation, and memories that will last a lifetime. Bonds between all of us got even greater. This trip, especially, will never be forgotten, for it was the last time I would see & spend time with Beloved Mark, Linda, and Muku. I'm so glad I set my distaste for backpacking aside, otherwise I would have lived a day with regret. Had I known this would be the last time I see Mark, Linda, and Muku, I wouldn't have done anything different. Well, maybe I would have taken a swig of Fireball from Muku's flask, MAYBE. The following day was a slow and cold start. After a splash of frigid lake water on the face, a hot, hearty breakfast, we packed our day packs and headed to Green Lake, West Lake and Bergona Lake. The saying, once you've seen one lake, you've seen them all, does not apply here. Each lake offers distinct perspectives. From its location, to its surroundings, each lake seemed to get more & more stunning. IN A LOOP: While this trek is not a loop, it is a remarkably breathtaking backpacking trip. One I will never forget. The views, the experience, the quality time spent without the hustle and bustle of city life is simply invaluable. DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing.