○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
9.2 miRound Trip
1,350 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
5-7 hoursEst. Time
10,300 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
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The uncrowded alternative to the always-jammed Little Lakes Valley, accessed from the same Rock Creek Road. A chain of nine alpine lakes in a spectacular granite basin above treeline with views of Bear Creek Spire and Mount Huntington.
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The northern gateway to the Hoover Wilderness — tunnels of yellow aspens along West Fork Green Creek, massive old-growth junipers, and a rewarding climb past Green Lake to the multi-hued shores of East Lake.
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The highest paved road trailhead in California at 10,087 feet opens into a chain of 20 glacial lakes just below the Yosemite boundary. Minimal elevation change for maximum high-alpine scenery.
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The Eastern Sierra’s most rewarding high-alpine lake progression. Starting at 10,230 feet, this trail strings together five stunning glacial lakes beneath serrated granite ridges.
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A lung-busting climb from the Mammoth Lakes Basin that passes Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney Lakes before cresting to a sweeping view of wind-swept Duck Lake on the Sierra crest.
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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.