Best Trails in Inyo National Forest

We packed up to Gilbert Lake after spending the night at Onion Valley campground (highly recommend site #25) spent one night at gorgeous Gilbert Lake then a short skip to the even more beautiful Flower Lake. Plenty of campsites on the southern side of the lake and plenty of hungry trout to be caught!
This is a challenging uphill trail for anyone except for the most fit hiker. The elevation gain is to be respected and some may be more effected at 10k elevation than others.
Stunningly beautiful scenery and comparatively easy access to the John Muir Wilderness and Eastern Sierras.
Plenty of parking at the Onion Valley trailhead with vault toilets, trash and shared bear lockers.
Bear cans are required for overnight per park services although, most people we ran into didn't carry one.

Completed the 22 mile single day ascent on 9/18. Hit a perfect weather window. Brutally demanding beyond description but an amazing sense of accomplishment AND bonding with everyone else in our group.

Will do the overnight trip next time though.

Great hike. Did it in one day. But be prepared. It is not easy. The altitude will effect you. And the last two miles up to the summit are arduous. Saw a lot of people up there who looked like they didn't know what they were getting into. All said, some amazing scenery. And an awesome accomplishment.

I got a permit for a day hike at the visitor center in Lone Pine. I started at midnight. The trail is easy to follow- absolutely no navigation issues. Going up to the summit was fun. 21 miles with 7K+ gain is a tough hike.

Easy after lunch hike with amazing scenery. Trail goes on as far and high as you want.

Great easy hike, absolutely beautiful lake, bridge was washed out but made for a great reason to splash in the cool water on a summers day!

Love this trail. The altitude was trying to keep me away but I went really slow and drank lots of water and man was it worth it. Incredible and named appropriately this lake is. Beautiful redwoods and gorgeous views of Lake George and Lake Mary and of course Crystal Lake. You find a sign for Mammoth Crest Trail once you've just about reached the top of the climb to Crystal Lake. Small decent to the lake note: it may be easy for some people to lose the trail here especially if the altitude is effecting you poorly... so watch your step.

This hike has several factors that make it a (5) star hike: Incredible vistas, beautiful natural features and a great payoff at the end. It was approximately 3.5 miles to Parker Lake, so it is approximately 7 miles round-trip.

I would describe this hike as very accessible and it is appropriate for a variety of ages / fitness levels; That said, the only negative is that the hike is well-traversed, so expect to see lots of people on the trail. Despite the amount of people who visit, the trail is surprisingly clean!

Have fun!

Hiked this with my family. Beautiful creek in the Aspen Trees on the way up. Stunning view of the Parker Lake and waterfalls above. Awesome view of Mono Lake on the way back down. Would love to visit again.

Tough, beautiful, well kept trail . Very scenic. Ran into several parties that were mid - PCT or beginning a portion of the PCT with interesting tales to tell. Can't wait to return with my family.

Great vistas. Gorgeous sky, lakes, running streams. Perfect half day hike (we went on up to Morgan pass).

One of my favorite easy pleasant hikes in the Sierra Nevada.

An spectacular trail with beautiful views of lakes, forest, cascades and moderately trafficked.

Did the hike around the lake this past September. Very easy trail as it really gains nor loses any elevation at all. We went counterclockwise. Great views to the west at North Peak and Mt. Conness when you're on the eastern shoreline. A good starting point to do some hiking beyond into the back country too. On the walk back on the west shore you can see Mt. Dana in the distance. Great little day hike with awesome views all around.