Green Lake and East Lake Trail is a 8.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Lee Vining, California that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
April 12, 2021Absolutely amazing! BUT be warned, there is a lot of snow up here still. The trail is completely buried so we had to guess where it was based on ski tracks/gps coordinates. Parts of this trail were impassable since we did not have snow shoes or skis.
November 26, 2020Icy!!
November 2, 2020Missed the fall autumn but the views were still breathtaking. Plenty of shade throughout the trail and flowing streams.
November 2, 2020One of my favorite hikes ever
November 1, 2020November 1, 2020Awesome hike along a well maintained trail. The trail system & switchbacks are layed out beautifully, making the first 3 miles to Green Lake, fairly easy. Fall has come & gone, but, beauty remains. East Lake is a gorgeous gem. Reaching 9,500 ft, it is a great workout for the lungs. Brought lunch & sat lake side, soaking up the sun. Lots of shade, up & back.
October 24, 2020October 20, 2020This was an amazing hike. Very moderate, even easy if you don’t find the length to be a challenge. Some stands of aspen trees had already peaked, but for the most part the gorgeous fall colors were on technicolor display. We went a little further to see Gilman Lake, but after the stunning East Lake, it was a little unimpressive. This is already a new favorite hike - although this sentiment is obviously shared by many other based on how popular the trail was! Be aware the last 8 or 9 miles to reach the trailhead are on a (well maintained) dirt road.
October 20, 2020This is one of my top 3 backpacking trips yet. The fall colors are stunning and it wasn't too crowded. I would love to go back in the summer and jump in the lakes.
October 16, 2020Very few people on a Friday going up at 10 am but passed a lot of human backpackers and doggie backpackers in early afternoon as we headed down from the lakes. Cool weather and good air quality made this a great hike and Green Lake was gorgeous. Loved the brilliant golden Aspen leaves that gave us a major dose of Autumn today!
October 13, 2020October 4, 2020Beautiful shady hike on a dirt trail to view the fall colors. This time of year, the streams are low for crossing and the mosquitoes are gone. Also, any other time of year where the forest is not closed, this trail can be filled with more horse poop. It is about a mile of flat leaf peeping and then 2 miles and about 800 feet elevation gain to Green Lake. East Lake is about a mile from Green Lake and another 500 feet elevation gain. Both lakes are great for camping too. It would be a perfect place for beginner backpackers. I would start in the Virginia Lakes area. It would only be 4 miles uphill until you reach the peak. It should be all down-hill from there to East Lake.
October 1, 2020Beautiful autumn leaves and the weather is perfect for backpacking!
September 26, 2020September 19, 2020Great, moderate hike. Fun, beautiful scenery and lake.
September 7, 2020September 1, 2020August 30, 2020Nice hike. Green lake and East lake both beautiful lakes. I'm getting use to this now after spending most of summer hiking in Eastern Sierra's but I have to point out this is also a pack trail meaning there is a lot of horse droppings to maneuver around.
August 28, 2020Trail is in great shape between the Green Creek trailhead to east lake. But, be prepared for massive amounts of horse dropping all the way. I have no idea why commercial pack horses are allowed on wilderness trails. Would have given this 5 stars if there wasn’t so much horse poop
August 27, 2020August 27, 2020Gorgeous hike. Trail is in good shape. Mostly uphill. Lake is lovely. Only went as far as Green Lake.
August 23, 2020August 9, 2020July 26, 2020Just amazing
June 26, 2020I love this trail it has some amazing views ! Is so much worth it !
June 25, 2020We did the trail up into Green Lake but not beyond to East Lake. Took our time and it was a 4 hour round trip. Breathtaking is all I can say. Make sure to stop every so often and take in the views. The waterfall view up the mountain on Green Lake was stunning. Not too many bugs on the walk but I would leave early if you go in summer and bring an emergency rain pancho just in case. It hailed after we left! Bring at least 32 oz's of water per person.
June 20, 2020June 13, 2020June 6, 2020Completed 6/6/20. This trailhead is at the end of an 8 mile dirt/gravel road. Low clearance cars should be ok as long as it hasn't rained. We clocked in at 10.1 on this one. Clear of snow. Many water crossings. 3-4 of them could be considered mildly hairy and include rock and log balancing and jumping.
