In June we followed Highway 395 up from the Mojave Desert to Mammoth Lakes where we were treated to an array of chiseled mountains capped in snow. We were looking for some hiking trails near Mammoth Lakes.

There are many hiking trails to take advantage of from the Mammoth Lakes vicinity. Some of them are easy and a few are of moderate difficultly. Most of them have both short and longer hike options.

Crystal Lake and Mammoth Crest has options of 1.75 miles of easy hiking and 3 miles one way for a moderate hike. The trail head is to the right of the parking lot entrance at Lake George. After about a mile you will find the trail to Mammoth Crest. The steady uphill climb will bring you to the Crest and unbelievable views of the Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes Basin and the Minarets.

Mammoth Pass Trail to McLeod Lake is an easy trail and just a little bit better than a mile round trip. The trail begins at the Mammoth Pass sign at Horseshoe Lake. After a half mile in the trail forks. The trail left will take you to McLeod Lake. If you are looking for a longer hike, the trail to the right is a 3.5 mile hike to Reds Meadow.

Convict Lake is an easy 3 mile hike around the lake. Take the Convict Lake turn off 5 miles south of Mammoth Lakes on 395. Because the trail goes around the lake there are many places to start your hike. We chose to follow the road to the end and parked at the turn around. The trail takes you to the base of the mountains where a recently constructed boardwalk allows you to easily traverse the snow run off. There is more hiking opportunity up the canyon at this point.

Earthquake Fault is a half mile nature trail that encircles the fissure. It is located off 203 on the way to Mammoth Mountain. This deep crevice is up to 10 feet wide and 60 feet deep and was formed from a series of earhtquakes that occurred centuries ago.

The Inyo National Forest is an incredibly beautiful place. There are so many places to see and explore. Due to the past winters snowfall, there were areas that were still inaccessible in early summer. We will be making that trip again.

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If you have a tale you’d like to share about an adventure you had in the Eastern Sierras, please do share with us.

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