🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
60°F, Clear Sky. Wind 12 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
💨 Wind
12 mph ESE
Gusts to 18 mph
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
1%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:11 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:50 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
☀️
60°
Feels 57°
💨 18/18
5 pm
☀️
57°
Feels 54°
💨 15/17
8 pm
🌙
49°
Feels 47°
💨 5/4
11 pm
🌙
37°
Feels 37°
💨 3/4
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
36% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
1% Clear — full sun exposure
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
💧 Humidity
68% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
46% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
56% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
1% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
☁️
Tue, Aug 18
Overcast Clouds
💧 Humidity
49% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
✅
Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Aug 14, 2:10 pm
A brief high-reward woodland trek through a haunting ghost forest killed by volcanic CO2 venting, opening to a pristine white-sand alpine beach at McLeod Lake. The ideal first high-country hike.
Trail Overview
The ghost forest at Horseshoe Lake is a real phenomenon — trees killed by carbon dioxide seeping from volcanic activity underground. McLeod Lake itself has a sandy beach that looks completely out of place at 8,900 feet. Outstanding short hike that punches above its mileage. Great choice for acclimation day or first-time Sierra visitors.
This Hike Is For You If…
Everyone. Beginners, children, visitors who are acclimating. Excellent first exposure to the Eastern Sierra.
Skip This Hike If…
No one should skip this if they are in the Mammoth area.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Flat gentle path through open forest. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round. McLeod Lake at destination. Filter before drinking.
Views: Good
Crowds: Popular but lot rarely overwhelms. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: Anytime. This lot rarely fills completely.
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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1.5 miRound Trip
150 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
45 min-1.5 hoursEst. Time
8929 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Horseshoe Lake Trailhead, Lake Mary Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Free paved lot at Horseshoe Lake. Rarely fills. Ghost forest visible from parking area.
Bathroom: Pit Toilet
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Anytime. This lot rarely fills completely.
Trail Reality Check
The ghost forest at Horseshoe Lake is a real phenomenon — trees killed by carbon dioxide seeping from volcanic activity underground. McLeod Lake itself has a sandy beach that looks completely out of place at 8,900 feet. Outstanding short hike that punches above its mileage. Great choice for acclimation day or first-time Sierra visitors.
Terrain: Flat gentle path through open forest. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round — McLeod Lake at destination. Filter before drinking.
Views: Good
Crowds: Moderate — Popular but lot rarely overwhelms. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Who should do this: Everyone. Beginners, children, visitors who are acclimating. Excellent first exposure to the Eastern Sierra.
Who should skip this: No one should skip this if they are in the Mammoth area.
