Best Trails in Inyo National Forest

Excellent hike through the snowy woods. I feel that this hike is really best during late April when you have the beautiful snow capping the mountains and the volcano itself.

Great day or overnite hike.

Good early spring hike when other trails in the area are still under snow. POOR signage though. We parked in Paradist the well marked trailhead and hiked up the creek. TRAIL is well maintained and is a good sunny day hike if you are seeking some shade.

Fun and easy for any age

Beautiful and peaceful

The snow made it difficult bit special.

It wasn't a hike as much as it was a walk on a dirt road in the sun. No scenery and plenty of dust.

Hiked the loop Sat 3/31/18. Started on the north side, totally clear until the meadow, from the meadow on increasingly snowy on the trail until the visible avalanche area on the south side, pretty slow going but passable in boots, beautiful day, sunny and clear, love this trail 5/5 year round :)

Very nice up the North Fork Trail. We hiked until the snow was too deep just before First Lake.

Walked on a lot of stinky sand. Lots of flies. Couldn’t see any huge tufas you have to be on a boat for those.

We did this hike because the hikes we came here for were snowed in. This loop was very easy, steady elevation climb the entire way - so the elevation you're gaining doesn't feel much of anything. This trail follows a truck trail the entire way, and features a tiny stream crossing. There were no people other than us, very nice. At the back of the loop, the views of the mountain range is magnificent!

The hike begins at Reds Meadow Resort. It continues gradually downhill toward the San Joaquin river. You cross Boundary Creek a little over half way to the upper viewing area. We were there in October 2017, the lower viewing area was closed for repairs, but the views of Rainbow Falls and valley down stream are worth the walk. Enjoy!

it was a great hike easy for the kiddos and very beautiful..

Nice and easy hike with our 2 small dogs (avoid summer as there is no shade especially for dogs )

Awesome trail did it yesterday with my gf and our 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk (stock) unfortunately no snow up there at all but still very scenic trail love it!!!

highly recommended 4x4 low range and high clearance vehicles only maybe some lockers would be good if snow!!

Been to Laurel Lake 44 times! Always 4x4! (mine is a Jeep TJ standard) Talk to a Forest Ranger in Mammoth Lakes--Sometimes they have new updates on trail. Arrive at trail beginning "early" say sunrise up to 11:00 a.m. Then enjoy the drive and peninsula on lake. Peninsula is highest place to legally have a campfire! Wonderful fly fishing here! 7 wonderful hikes around & above lake. When driving back down never, ever leave till 2:00 p.m. ! ! WHY? Road is narrow...just a bit winder than your vehicle! No head on meeting! Very difficult to dive backwards with steep drop offs. Only 2 areas to pass each other and far apart. My Activity: 4x4, fishing, photography, hiking, walking.
Best months to go up: no snow. Saturday can be to crowded---new visitors unaware of narrow road!

Great hike even in February. Several lakes at the top.

I go backpacking around here almost every year, and the Pine Creek Trailhead is one of the less crowded trails in the area. The first part of the hike is steep, with a quick elevation gain and a lot of switchbacks. It can get really hot and there's not much shade on the initial portion, so it's a good idea to bring a lot of water and start early. Once you get to about 10,000ft it's a pretty easy hike to Honeymoon lake. From Honeymoon, you can go on to Pine Creek, Italy pass, or a number of other lakes in the area!

nice and easy hike! too bad we came in November, otherwise the trees and the lake would be more beautiful in sight!

One of the most rewarding views ever!

I have hiked this trail 5 or 6 times. The trail is fairly steep at times, and narrow in a few spots. The last time I did this hike was in 2014 with my wife and son. I was excited to show them the mine shaft and all the other mining equipment. I was disapointed when I saw that the shaft had been collapsed or collapsed on its own. It is still a gorgeous hike, and one I hope to take a few more times.

This place is breathtaking. Seems almost unreal. I will come back again and again - hiked in October of ‘17

Beautiful hike in winter conditions (Jan 1-2 2018)
50% snow and ice currently to 7300 ft. Trail is showing wear and needs a little love but is still easy to follow. Variety of water crossings from solid ice, logs and requiring boot removal and getting wet. Campsite near the springs is comfy with easy water access and a built up fire ring.

Beautiful hike! Easy terrain in a breath taking location . Great place to take the family and spend a bit of quality time.

The strenuous hike up to Fern Lake is very rewarding. Fern Lake is extremely beautiful all year round, with beautiful mountains surrounding the lake and several great beach spots to relax and have a snack/meal. The trail is a constant incline until you get to the Yost-Fern fork, after that it is extremely steep. Trekking poles and good boots are highly recommended. Dogs are great for this trail if they are trail trained.

Great trail, not too steep but not flat. At the end you will find a beautiful frozen lake. Best part is there is very light traffic.

great hike! and great views of June lake area. I will have to come back when the lakes not frozen.

Hike is so worth the constant switchbacks (which did seem like forever but it ends I swear!)

The trails are clearly marked and very easy! As always make sure to bring water. The Bristlecone Pines are beautiful and I'd come back.

Great views on the way up with both Lava Tube and Seven Lakes Point for rest stops. It gets really windy at the top and there were a couple of areas where I got nervous about the narrow trail/cliff edges. Alternate option down is to loop around the Seven Lakes Trail.