Mammoth Mountain Trail
Classic hiking trail to the summit of Mammoth Mountain, with the option to shorten the hike with the gondola.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 13 km
- Ascent
- 657 m
- Descent
- 657 m
Experience the Sierras: Best Day Hikes in Mammoth Lakes
Experience the grandeur of the Sierra Nevada mountains on this incredible selection of day hikes near Mammoth Lakes, California.
Hiking Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Severe
Description
"Hiking in the Eastern Sierra is spectacular year-round," writes VisitMammoth.com. "In spring, the sharp and craggy granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada Range form a dramatic backdrop for meadows brightly colored by wildflowers. In the summer, you'll never tire of finding secret alpine lakes, lush aspen-lined streams and forested hideaways tucked away in the mountains. In fall, early snow in the high country contrasts beautifully with the vibrant golds and oranges of aspens and willows alight with their display of autumn colors."
The wide range of recommended hikes in this guidebook will allow you to experience the best that Mammoth's seasons have to offer. Here, you'll find everything from short family-friendly jaunts to scenic overlooks to hikes that are so ambitious that some people turn them into overnight backpacking trips. Yet for most reasonably fit hikers, all of the routes in this guidebook are achievable as a single day hike.
If you're looking for more than a mere day hike, two of the most iconic long-distance backpacking trails in the world run through the mountains right above town: the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail run concurrently through this region.
Routes included
Mammoth Mountain Via Dragon's Back
The more difficult ascent up Mammoth Mountain.
Severe Hiking
- Distance
- 10 km
- Ascent
- 748 m
- Descent
- 748 m
Mammoth Crest Loop
Traverse the top of a stunning mountain ridge.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 21 km
- Ascent
- 980 m
- Descent
- 980 m
Duck Pass and Duck Lake
A popular out-and-back with incredible alpine views.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 671 m
- Descent
- 671 m
Devils Postpile to Upper and Lower Rainbow Falls
Visit both the upper and lower falls on this hike.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 6 km
- Ascent
- 193 m
- Descent
- 193 m
Minaret Lake
Otherworldly views of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Difficult Hiking
- Distance
- 25 km
- Ascent
- 987 m
- Descent
- 987 m
Little Lakes Valley Trail to Morgan Pass
An easy hike through a stunning glacier-carved valley.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 11 km
- Ascent
- 379 m
- Descent
- 378 m
Heart Lake
A superb bang-for-your-buck lake hike.
Moderate Hiking
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Ascent
- 149 m
- Descent
- 149 m
Horseshoe Lake Loop
A very easy hike with gorgeous views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Easy Hiking
- Distance
- 3.5 km
- Ascent
- 46 m
- Descent
- 46 m
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