This 4-mile loop around the Bear Lakes is one of the best routes for dipping your toes into Lakes Basin. On this trail run, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the mountains towering high above and the crystal clear lakes all around you. In fact, you’ll pass at least six lakes on this hike, which will constantly beckon you to stop, sit on their shores, and drink in the solitude and serenity of the Lost Sierras.

While the trail doesn’t gain a dramatic amount of elevation, you’ll spend the entire time climbing and descending small hills and ridges, gaining and losing around 630 feet of elevation.

Most of the difficulty on this run comes from the trail tread itself. While the trail starts off smooth and carefree, it quickly becomes rocky and filled with boulders. While the direction of the path before you is always clear, the trail tread is filled with rock gardens, rock steps, boulders, roots, and all manner of roughness. While you won’t find any serious scrambling or mountaineering, you must be prepared to travel on a little-maintained backcountry trail for several miles.

Due to how many trails connect together in the Lakes Basin, you could easily choose to extend this run by connecting to another trail. Or, click into our Lost Sierra trail running guidebook and choose a different route entirely!