Crystal Lake Trail
Short but steep — this trail climbs directly up the face of the Mammoth Crest under Crystal Crag, delivering sweeping panoramic views of the entire Mammoth Lakes Basin for a fraction of the effort of longer hikes.
○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
2.7 miRound Trip
700 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
1.5-2.5 hoursEst. Time
10,011 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
-
-
Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls
A globally renowned trek past a massive wall of symmetrical basalt columns, then down-canyon to a 101-foot waterfall that casts vivid rainbows in the afternoon mist. Wide accessible trail with minimal elevation change.
-
McLeod Lake Trail
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.
-
Virginia Lakes Trail to Burro Pass
Starting at 9,800 feet, this Hoover Wilderness trail threads past five beautiful lakes framed by multi-hued volcanic peaks before climbing to Burro Pass — a wide-open saddle with panoramic views deep into the backcountry.
-
Lundy Canyon Trail
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.
-
Harvest Hosts vs Boondockers Welcome vs The Dyrt PRO — Which Van Life Memberships Are Worth It for California Travel
Honest comparison of three van life memberships for California Highway 395 travel. Which one is worth it, which combination makes sense, and what each actually delivers.