○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
5.3 miRound Trip
1,000 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2.5-4 hoursEst. Time
9,400 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Lundy Canyon Trail

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
67°F, Broken Clouds. Wind 8 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
☁️
67°
Broken Clouds
Feels 64°F
💨 Wind
8 mph E
Gusts to 20 mph
💧 Humidity
23%
Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
78%
Mostly cloudy
🌅 Sunrise
6:55 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:35 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
5 pm
☁️
67°
Feels 64°
💨 6/17
8 pm
☁️
61°
Feels 58°
💨 1/7
11 pm
☁️
49°
Feels 49°
💨 2/8
5-Day Forecast
☁️
Today
Broken Clouds
67°F
feels 64°
💨 Wind/Gust
6/17 E
💧 Humidity
25% Dry — drink before thirsty
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
82% Overcast
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Oct 5
Clear Sky
38°F
feels 38°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/11 SW
💧 Humidity
59% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾 Acceptable — Check Elevation
🌙
Tue, Oct 6
Clear Sky
38°F
feels 38°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/5 SW
💧 Humidity
55% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾 Acceptable — Check Elevation
🌙
Wed, Oct 7
Clear Sky
45°F
feels 45°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/6 SSW
💧 Humidity
51% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Thu, Oct 8
Clear Sky
45°F
feels 45°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/6 SW
💧 Humidity
50% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 4, 5:53 pm

One of the most underrated hikes on the 395 corridor. Aspen groves, beaver ponds, mining ruins, and three cascading waterfalls in a canyon that feels completely removed from the road. Fall color here rivals anything in California.

Trail Overview

Most people on Highway 395 drive past the Lundy Lake turnoff without stopping. That is a mistake. This canyon is extraordinary — remarkable aspen density, active beaver dam activity, and mining ruins add historical texture you do not find on most Sierra trails. Three waterfalls punctuate the climb. The parking lot is small and fills fast on fall color weekends in late September and October. No bathroom at the trailhead — plan accordingly.

This Hike Is For You If…

All ability levels in the lower canyon. Intermediate hikers for the full trail to upper waterfalls. Fall color visitors who want more than a roadside pull-off. Dog-friendly throughout.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if you need facilities at the trailhead. The lot is tiny on peak fall color weekends.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Good trail lower section. Rocky above first waterfall. Some scrambling near third fall.

Shade: Mostly Shaded

Water: Reliable Year-Round. Mill Creek runs alongside trail the entire way. Filter all water.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Moderate on fall color weekends. Quiet rest of season.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Early morning any time of year. Fall weekends require a 7am arrival for parking.

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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5.3 miRound Trip
1000 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
2.5-4 hoursEst. Time
9400 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Lundy Canyon Trailhead, Lundy Lake Road, Lee Vining, CA 93541
Parking: Dirt lot at end of Lundy Lake Road. Free. Limited spaces — arrive early on fall weekends for peak aspen color.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: Early morning any time of year. Fall weekends require a 7am arrival for parking.

Trail Reality Check

Most people on Highway 395 drive past the Lundy Lake turnoff without stopping. That is a mistake. This canyon is extraordinary — remarkable aspen density, active beaver dam activity, and mining ruins add historical texture you do not find on most Sierra trails. Three waterfalls punctuate the climb. The parking lot is small and fills fast on fall color weekends in late September and October. No bathroom at the trailhead — plan accordingly.

Terrain: Good trail lower section. Rocky above first waterfall. Some scrambling near third fall.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round — Mill Creek runs alongside trail the entire way. Filter all water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Quiet — Moderate on fall color weekends. Quiet rest of season.
Who should do this: All ability levels in the lower canyon. Intermediate hikers for the full trail to upper waterfalls. Fall color visitors who want more than a roadside pull-off. Dog-friendly throughout.
Who should skip this: Skip if you need facilities at the trailhead. The lot is tiny on peak fall color weekends.