Overview
Out-and-back hike passing beautiful lakes with mountainous backdrops; each lake flows into the next. It's a fairly leisurely stroll and you can turn back at any point or go all 3.1 miles to the largest lake featuring a glacier. Fishing is allowed.
Nearby Hikes: Mosquito Flat Trailhead to Mono Pass & Mount Star, Big Pines Lakes Trail, Kearsarge Pass
Logistics
Location: Inyo National Forest (near Bishop, CA)
Distance: 7.2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Our Hike Time: 3 hours, 15 min
Route Type: Out-and-back
Elevation gain: 10,210 feet to 10,886 feet
Trailhead: Little Lakes Valley Trailhead (also called Mosquito Flat Trailhead)
Costs: None
When to go: June – Oct
Dogs Allowed: Yes (leashed)
Permits Required: Not for day use but required for overnight camping.
Where to Stay: Rock Creek Lake Campground near the trailhead for $22/night (this is a walk-in, first come, first serve campground) or apply for a permit to camp on the trail. The backcountry permits you must obtain are called “Little Lakes Valley JM09” and are $5 per person plus a $10 reservation fee.
Tips
If you pass through the town of Big Pine on your drive home, stop for BBQ at Copper Top BBQ or visit Manzanar for a quick history lesson on one of the ten American concentration camps from WWII.
Current Trail Conditions
Check out AllTrails for recent trail reviews and updates.
Rock Creek Lake Campground
