Explore California - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Liked this hike so much, we did it again but the loop version hitting thousand islands lake as well. Would recommend both but the latter was better.
Haven’t actually gone but didn’t want to lower the rating. The road is now closed about 5 miles from the trailhead at East Fork.
reviewed This place is the cut, the trail is hard to see in certain cause of snow though easy to follow and find footprints- but very well worth the terrain.
Beautiful vistas at every corner. End of November not many people
Beautiful hike on a sunny day. Lakes were snowed in or frozen. The only thing I wish I would have done was bring an extra pair of socks, since we didn’t expect to be ankle deep in snow. But I would do this hike again in a heartbeat
Great hike. The gate is closed so add 1.3 miles to the front and back of a spectacular hike. The trailhead area and route have signs. Parking at the trailhead when it’s open. The route took me up through Little Lake Valley past five beautiful lakes. The hike ended at Gem Lakes (10,988 ft), an area of six lakes surrounded by mountains. Spectacular views and scenery.
The road to trailhead is closed due to snow. Park car at Rock Creek Pack Station which is a mile away from Trailhead and start your hike. We didn't hike the chicken foot lake loop as it was getting cold so took a shortcut just to get a view of the lake. Overall Experience: Beautiful views and easy hike!
October 31 2020: the US forest service closed the gate for the end part of the road leading up to the parking lot. However, you are actually allowed to hike in. The official US Forest Service Inyo red "closed forest" map has a small gap from east to west all the way through the mountains. In fact, the bathrooms at the parking lot were unlocked, and no signs saying the trail was closed...
Amazing. Long but not too difficult of a hike. Once you get to the top of the switch backs you’re good unless you want to see like 2 more lakes.
10/22/20 There is a gate closing off access about 1.3 miles from trailhead. The trail is closed.
This was the third time I've hiked this trail. The views of the lakes and mountains never get old. Next time we'll hike further to Gem Lake.
An uphill start but overall easy, beautiful hike following a stream up to long lake. Despite the creek fire, the air quality was not too bad. We’ll definitely return to get the views without the haze.
Beautiful trail. Gorgeous setting. Very smoky and poor visibility
Wow. Amazing trail with awesome lakes. Whole lotta people but worth it
LOVE this trail! Happy dog. Great weather.
Great, well-maintained trail and not too much elevation gain but hiking and backpacking at 10,000'+ is very different! Bunches and bunches of day hikers so if you're looking for a place to be alone this isn't it, but the many lakes along the trail are worth it.
Great adventure! We arrived at 7:30 am plenty of space to park. Trail was busy when we were coming back. What’s the rush? There is no place to go lately so we packed a picnic and enjoyed each lake! :) Don’t drop your mask on the trail! We saw a few along the way. Mask litter is a problem these days :(
