Best Backpacking Trips near Mammoth Lakes

Minaret Lake

Situated at 9,793 feet in the Ritter Range, Minaret Lake is a stunning alpine lake with Michael Minaret as the backdrop. The craggy Minarets surround the region. The 7-mile hike to base camp is mostly uphill and follows Minaret Creek. It’s an approachable distance for an over-night backpacking trip, or plan for two nights and have an entire day to cross-country hike to Cecil and Iceberg Lakes and explore the Minarets.

Trailhead: Devil’s Postpile

Distance: 14 miles

Nights: 1-2

Map: Tom Harrison - Mammoth High Country

Transportation: Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle and area access fee required. Cars may drive on the road before 7AM or after 7PM.

Mammoth Lakes to Tuolumne Meadows

The backpacking trip from Mammoth Lakes to Tuolumne Meadows is a classic route that passes some of the area’s most popular and stunning destinations. You’ll start on High Trail from Agnew Meadows and hike to Thousand Island Lake. Views of the Banner Peak and the Ritter Range are unparalleled. From there you will take the John Muir Trail over Donahue Pass before descending into Lyell Canyon. You’ll see Mt. Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite hiking, and then continue along the trail, which meanders along in the glacial carved valley in the Yosemite High Country.

Trailhead: Agnew Meadows and John Muir Trail in Tuolumne Meadows

Distance: 28 miles

Nights: 2-3

Map: Tom Harrison - Mammoth High Country and Yosemite High Country

Transportation: Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle and area access fee required. Cars may drive on the road before 7AM or after 7PM. To return to Mammoth Lakes from Tuolumne Meadows take the Yosemite Area Rapid Transit System (YARTS) bus. Check the YARTS schedule before you go.

McGee Creek to Reds Meadow

This through-hike covers some of the most beautiful high-country terrain in Mammoth Lakes’ backyard. Starting from McGee Creek, taking McGee Pass Trail over McGee Pass and descend to Tully Hole and Horse Heaven before continuing on down Cascade Valley. Then pick up Fish Creek Trail, which follows one of the biggest tributaries to the San Joaquin River — Fish Creek — before climbing up the drainage and follows the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River from a ridge. There you will pass a number of cascading waterfalls before reaching Rainbow Falls and Red’s Meadow Resort.

Trailhead: McGee Creek and Rainbow Falls

Distance: 40 miles

Nights: 3-5

Map: Tom Harrison - Mammoth High Country and Mono Divide High Country

Transportation: Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile shuttle and area access fee required. Cars may drive on the road before 7AM or after 7PM.

Rock Creek to Mammoth Lakes

Starting in the high-country at Rock Creek, you’ll head up and over Mono Pass into the Mono Creek Drainage and pass by the Recesses before descending to the John Muir Trail near Lake Thomas Edison. The route then heads up Silver Pass and over the Silver Divide where numerous tall peaks will be in view. Continuing on the JMT, you’ll pass Lake Virginia and Purple Lake before turning off the JMT towards Duck Lake and Duck Pass. From there you’ll be descending to Mammoth Lakes along the Duck Pass Trail to Coldwater Trailhead.

Trailhead: Mosquito Flat and Coldwater

Distance: 38 miles

Nights: 3-5

Map: Tom Harrison - Mammoth High Country and Mono Divide High Country

Transportation: Eastern Sierra Transit has a summer trolley that services the Lakes Basin to and from Mammoth Lakes. Check the schedule for more information.

Convict Canyon to Lake Dorothy

Another great overnight option is the Convict Canyon drainage where you will have a few alpine lakes to choose from for your overnight base camp. Take the Convict Creek Trail, which starts around the sunny north shore of Convict Lake before it starts climbing the canyon. You’ll see the geologic wonder up close as you climb the trail, which can be impassible on big snow years. At the top of the canyon, mountain views open up. You’ll see tall peaks as the backdrop to the lakes. Mildred Lake is the first you’ll see on the trail, continue on to the large Lake Dorothy, which is a popular spot for overnight backpacking trips. If you have two nights or longer, base camp at Dorothy and spend a day cross-country hiking up to Bighorn Lake and Lake Wit-So-Nah-Pah.

Trailhead: Convict Lake

Distance: 12 miles

Nights: 1-2

Map: Tom Harrison - Mammoth High Country All over night backpacking trips require a free wilderness permit that can be obtained at the Inyo National Forest Ranger Station in Mammoth Lakes. Be aware of area specific regulations, where to camp, and how to camp bear-safe. And as always, when traveling in forest and wilderness areas, be sure to minimize your impact and practice the principles of leave no trace.