🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike
Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
61°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
☀️
61°
Feels 59°
💨 18/18
5 pm
☀️
58°
Feels 55°
💨 15/17
8 pm
🌙
50°
Feels 48°
💨 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, 1:00 pm
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.
Trail Overview
Do not be misled by the 2.7-mile round-trip distance. This trail gains 700 feet in 1.35 miles. The reward is disproportionate to the effort — views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin from above are outstanding. Crystal Lake itself is a beautiful payoff. The lot is tiny and fills fast.
This Hike Is For You If…
Fit hikers who want a short but rewarding workout. Intermediate hikers who want alpine views without a full-day commitment. Good acclimation hike.
Skip This Hike If…
Skip if steep sustained grades are hard on your knees or lungs. This is short but does not ease in gently.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Steep rocky singletrack. No technical moves. Lodgepole pine shade lower section, exposed above.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round. Crystal Lake at top. No reliable sources on the way up.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Popular but steep grade keeps casual crowd away.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. The lot is small and there is no overflow.
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.
👞
The Trail Report — Real Conditions. No Hype.
40 years on California trails. Biweekly trail conditions, seasonal hike picks,
and June's Dog Report — straight to your inbox. Free.
✅ You're in! Check your inbox to confirm.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Powered by beehiiv.
2.7 miRound Trip
700 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
1.5-2.5 hoursEst. Time
10011 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Lake George Trailhead, Lake George Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Small paved lot at Lake George. No fee. Fills by 9am on weekends.
Bathroom: Pit Toilet
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 8am on weekends. The lot is small and there is no overflow.
Trail Reality Check
Do not be misled by the 2.7-mile round-trip distance. This trail gains 700 feet in 1.35 miles. The reward is disproportionate to the effort — views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin from above are outstanding. Crystal Lake itself is a beautiful payoff. The lot is tiny and fills fast.
Terrain: Steep rocky singletrack. No technical moves. Lodgepole pine shade lower section, exposed above.
Shade: Partial
Water: Reliable Year-Round — Crystal Lake at top. No reliable sources on the way up.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Moderate — Popular but steep grade keeps casual crowd away.
Who should do this: Fit hikers who want a short but rewarding workout. Intermediate hikers who want alpine views without a full-day commitment. Good acclimation hike.
Who should skip this: Skip if steep sustained grades are hard on your knees or lungs. This is short but does not ease in gently.
