Bucket List Guide to Hiking in the Eastern Sierra

Some of the least-crowded and most rewarding trailheads in the Eastern Sierra sit in this stretch south of Mammoth Lakes. The terrain ranges from high alpine lake basins to exposed canyon walls streaked with sedimentary color—terrain that rewards hikers willing to venture a little further from town.

Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes

7 miles

The Little Lakes Valley Trail at the Mosquito Flat Trailhead is the quintessential Eastern Sierra hiking destination and one of the most popular trails in the region. You'll hike along the creek through alpine meadows to numerous lakes under towering granite peaks.

Hilton Lakes

8 miles

Located in Rock Creek Canyon, this trailhead draws far fewer hikers than others up the canyon, and the final destination is just as spectacular. The trail climbs steeply to high alpine lakes sitting below Mt. Huntington.

McGee Creek to Steelhead Lake

11.4 miles

The sunny, exposed McGee Creek Trail is a favorite for wildflower viewing in spring and summer, and it delivers creekside hiking and lakes at the end. Steelhead Lake makes for a satisfying medium-to-long day hike, though the trail continues on to Big McGee Lake and eventually reaches the Sierra Nevada Crest at McGee Pass.

Convict Canyon Trail to Mildred Lake

9.8 miles

Convict Canyon's geological diversity makes it one of the most fascinating trails in the region. Exposed sedimentary rock layers put on a display of natural color you won't find anywhere else in the Eastern Sierra. Head up the canyon to Mildred Lake before returning the same way.

The Reds Meadow Valley sits on the western side of Mammoth Mountain and holds some of the most dramatic hiking terrain in the Eastern Sierra—volcanic features, glacier-carved river canyons, ancient basalt columns, and high-alpine lakes under the Minarets.

Access the valley via the mandatory shuttle from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, which runs through the summer season. If you're planning a full day out there, the Reds Meadow guide covers everything you need to know before you go, from shuttle schedules to camping options.

Shadow Creek Trail to Ediza Lake

15 miles

Tucked under Mount Ritter, Ediza Lake is a top destination for a long day hike in the Reds Meadow Valley. The Shadow Creek Trail drops from the Agnew Meadows trailhead to the San Joaquin River before climbing steeply to Shadow Lake, then continues to Ediza at the base of the mountain.

Minaret Lake

5.1 miles

Minaret Lake sits tucked under the Minarets, the iconic sawtooth landscape of the Ritter Range. The Minaret Lake Trail earns you a close-up view of the alpine crags that define the skyline above Mammoth Lakes. The trail climbs steadily from Devils Postpile Trailhead and passes cascading falls along the way.

Rainbow Falls and Devils Postpile Loop

5 miles

The San Joaquin River plunges more than 100 feet at Rainbow Falls, producing a stunning rainbow when the sun hits at the right angle. This route works best as a loop—hike the Rainbow Falls trail to the waterfall, then take the Devils Postpile detour on the return, past a pile of polished basalt columns that formed during the cooling of a volcanic lava flow around 100,000 years ago. Pick up the shuttle at the ranger's station to return to the Adventure Center.

Starkweather Trail

2.5 miles

Rather than taking the bus into Reds Meadow Valley, consider the quieter Starkweather Trail from Minaret Vista to Starkweather Lake. The trail passes through meadows and old-growth Jeffrey pines, past spring creeks, with mountain views appearing through the trees along the way.

Sotcher Lake Nature Trail

0.8 miles

Sotcher Lake draws visitors for fishing and canoeing, but the self-guided nature trail is one of the most beautiful easy hikes in the area. The short, gentle loop circles the lake through microclimates lined with wildflowers, past sandy beaches, and over a large granite outcrop.

The High Trail to Thousand Island Lake

17.4 miles

Thousand Island Lake is one of the most sought-after overnight camping destinations in the Eastern Sierra, but it also works as a long day hike. The Pacific Crest Trail and High Trail overlap in this section, traversing the San Joaquin Ridge before reaching Badger Lakes and eventually Thousand Island Lake—dotted with hundreds of tiny granite islands, with Banner Peak rising as a backdrop.

The trails above cover a region that rewards repeat visits. A long weekend in Mammoth Lakes puts most of these trailheads within an hour's drive, and staying in town gives you early access to the mountain shuttle and the Reds Meadow Valley bus before the crowds arrive. Stop by the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for current trail conditions, permit requirements, and help picking the right trailhead for your ability level.

For more trail ideas, see our full hiking and backpacking guide or browse the complete trail network at Mammoth Trails.