○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
11.4 miRound Trip
2,300 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
6-8 hoursEst. Time
11,100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

McGee Creek Trail to Steelhead Lake

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🧊
Freezing Temps
Ice possible on shadowed sections. Traction devices and warm layers are essential.
☁️
29°
Overcast Clouds
Feels 29°F
💨 Wind
0 mph N
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
82%
High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
100%
Overcast
🌅 Sunrise
7:10 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:07 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
8 am
☁️
29°
Feels 29°
💨 1/5
11 am
☁️
32°
Feels 32°
💨 1/7
2 pm
❄️
36°
Feels 36°
💨 2/9
5 pm
🌦️
41°
Feels 40°
💨 3/11
🌧 0.8mm
8 pm
❄️
35°
Feels 31°
💨 4/8
11 pm
☁️
31°
Feels 28°
💨 4/6
5-Day Forecast
☁️
Today
Overcast Clouds
29°F
feels 29°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/5 W
💧 Humidity
82% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
100% Overcast
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Sat, Oct 24
Scattered Clouds
30°F
feels 26°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/7 SW
💧 Humidity
96% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
1.9 mi — Poor — fog or smoke likely
☁️ Clouds
34% Partly cloudy
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌙
Sun, Oct 25
Clear Sky
35°F
feels 35°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/4 SSW
💧 Humidity
87% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
☁️
Mon, Oct 26
Scattered Clouds
34°F
feels 34°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/8 SSW
💧 Humidity
93% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
33% Partly cloudy
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌙
Tue, Oct 27
Clear Sky
34°F
feels 34°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/14 SSW
💧 Humidity
84% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 23, 9:12 am

A dynamic trail that transforms mile by mile — from sun-drenched wildflower canyons along a rushing trout stream into a high granite amphitheater. Multi-colored canyon walls are the visual anchor.

Trail Overview

McGee Creek Canyon is one of the most geologically colorful drainages in the Eastern Sierra. The lower section is exposed and hot in summer. The upper basin above 10,000 feet is cold, windy, and spectacular. Long day. No facilities at the trailhead means plan accordingly.

This Hike Is For You If…

Experienced hikers comfortable with long strenuous days. Great choice for uncrowded solitude compared to Mammoth Lakes basin.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip in the heat of summer unless you start before 7am. Skip if you need bathroom facilities at the trailhead.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Good trail with steady climb. Rocky above 9,500 feet. Some route-finding near Steelhead Lake.

Shade: Mostly Exposed

Water: Reliable Year-Round. McGee Creek runs length of lower trail. Filter all water.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Far less crowded than Mammoth-area trailheads. Often alone in upper basin.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 8am. Small lot and no overflow options.


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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11.4 miRound Trip
2300 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
6-8 hoursEst. Time
11100 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: McGee Creek Trailhead, McGee Creek Road, Crowley Lake, CA 93546
Parking: Small dirt lot at road end. Free. No facilities. High clearance recommended for final stretch of McGee Creek Road.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: None
Best Arrival: Before 8am. Small lot and no overflow options.

Trail Reality Check

McGee Creek Canyon is one of the most geologically colorful drainages in the Eastern Sierra. The lower section is exposed and hot in summer. The upper basin above 10,000 feet is cold, windy, and spectacular. Long day. No facilities at the trailhead means plan accordingly.

Terrain: Good trail with steady climb. Rocky above 9,500 feet. Some route-finding near Steelhead Lake.
Shade: Mostly Exposed
Water: Reliable Year-Round — McGee Creek runs length of lower trail. Filter all water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Quiet — Far less crowded than Mammoth-area trailheads. Often alone in upper basin.
Who should do this: Experienced hikers comfortable with long strenuous days. Great choice for uncrowded solitude compared to Mammoth Lakes basin.
Who should skip this: Skip in the heat of summer unless you start before 7am. Skip if you need bathroom facilities at the trailhead.