○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
2.5 miRound Trip
100 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
1-2 hoursEst. Time
7,621 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Convict Lake Loop

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
๐Ÿฅพ
Trail Ready
42ยฐF, Overcast Clouds. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
โ˜๏ธ
42ยฐ
Overcast Clouds
Feels 38ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
7 mph SE
No significant gusts
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
61%
Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
100%
Overcast
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
7:11 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
6:07 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ
41ยฐ
Feels 39ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 3/12
๐ŸŒง 0.7mm
5 pm
โ„๏ธ
41ยฐ
Feels 38ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 4/12
8 pm
โ„๏ธ
34ยฐ
Feels 34ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 3/8
11 pm
โ˜๏ธ
31ยฐ
Feels 31ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 2/5
5-Day Forecast
๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ
Today
Light Rain
41ยฐF
feels 39ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
3/12 NW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
68% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
3.2 mi โ€” Reduced โ€” marine layer possible
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
96% Overcast
๐ŸŒง Rain
0.7mm โ€” wet trail likely
๐Ÿฅพ Acceptable โ€” Check Elevation
โ˜๏ธ
Sat, Oct 24
Scattered Clouds
30ยฐF
feels 30ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/5 SW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
98% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
4.2 mi โ€” Reduced โ€” marine layer possible
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
50% Partly cloudy
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Sun, Oct 25
Clear Sky
36ยฐF
feels 36ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
1/5 SSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
90% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
โ˜๏ธ
Mon, Oct 26
Scattered Clouds
37ยฐF
feels 37ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/10 SSW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
92% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
37% Partly cloudy
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Tue, Oct 27
Clear Sky
37ยฐF
feels 37ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
3/16 SW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
80% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 23, 2:07 pm

A flat accessible loop around one of the most visually dramatic lakes in the Mono Basin. Twisted sedimentary bands rise directly from the waterline in a rare geological contrast to the region’s typical granite.

Trail Overview

This is genuinely one of the most beautiful easy hikes in California. The geology is remarkable โ€” colored sedimentary rock formations that look nothing like the granite Sierra. The back side of the loop gets muddy in early season near the inlet stream. Dogs are welcome and the flat terrain makes this a good introduction to Eastern Sierra hiking for new hikers or recovery days.

This Hike Is For You If…

Everyone. Beginners, families, older hikers, and experienced hikers who want a short scenic loop. Excellent for acclimation day hiking before bigger objectives.

Skip This Hike If…

Nobody should skip this. It is one of the easiest payoffs in the Eastern Sierra.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Flat packed dirt and gravel. Some muddy sections on back side in early season. Boardwalk over sensitive marsh areas.

Shade: Partial

Water: Reliable Year-Round. Lake and inlet stream. Filter before drinking.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Popular summer destination. Resort brings day visitors. Mornings and late afternoons quieter.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Early morning light on the canyon walls is exceptional.


This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

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2.5 miRound Trip
100 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
1-2 hoursEst. Time
7621 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Convict Lake Campground, Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Large free lot at Convict Lake Resort. Fills on summer weekends. Overflow along road.
Bathroom: Flush Toilets
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Early morning light on the canyon walls is exceptional.

Trail Reality Check

This is genuinely one of the most beautiful easy hikes in California. The geology is remarkable โ€” colored sedimentary rock formations that look nothing like the granite Sierra. The back side of the loop gets muddy in early season near the inlet stream. Dogs are welcome and the flat terrain makes this a good introduction to Eastern Sierra hiking for new hikers or recovery days.

Terrain: Flat packed dirt and gravel. Some muddy sections on back side in early season. Boardwalk over sensitive marsh areas.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round โ€” Lake and inlet stream. Filter before drinking.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Busy โ€” Popular summer destination. Resort brings day visitors. Mornings and late afternoons quieter.
Who should do this: Everyone. Beginners, families, older hikers, and experienced hikers who want a short scenic loop. Excellent for acclimation day hiking before bigger objectives.
Who should skip this: Nobody should skip this. It is one of the easiest payoffs in the Eastern Sierra.