🌤 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.
☁️
23°
Scattered Clouds
Feels 11°F
💨 Wind
12 mph NW
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
59%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
39%
Partly cloudy
🌅 Sunrise
7:02 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:21 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
11 am
☁️
24°
Feels 14°
💨 10/30
2 pm
☁️
31°
Feels 23°
💨 9/29
5 pm
☀️
39°
Feels 33°
💨 8/23
8 pm
🌙
29°
Feels 29°
💨 3/14
11 pm
🌙
24°
Feels 24°
💨 2/13
5-Day Forecast
💧 Humidity
63% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
62% Mostly cloudy
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
💧 Humidity
83% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
86% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
80% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡
Warm & Humid — Extra Water
💧 Humidity
75% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾
Acceptable — Check Elevation
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out.
Oct 13, 8:33 am
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.
Trail Overview
The ghost forest at Horseshoe Lake is a real phenomenon — trees killed by carbon dioxide seeping from volcanic activity underground. McLeod Lake itself has a sandy beach that looks completely out of place at 8,900 feet. Outstanding short hike that punches above its mileage. Great choice for acclimation day or first-time Sierra visitors.
This Hike Is For You If…
Everyone. Beginners, children, visitors who are acclimating. Excellent first exposure to the Eastern Sierra.
Skip This Hike If…
No one should skip this if they are in the Mammoth area.
What to Expect on Trail
Terrain: Flat gentle path through open forest. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round. McLeod Lake at destination. Filter before drinking.
Views: Good
Crowds: Popular but lot rarely overwhelms. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.
Best Arrival: Anytime. This lot rarely fills completely.
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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1.5 miRound Trip
150 ftElev. Gain
EasyDifficulty
45 min-1.5 hoursEst. Time
8929 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit
Trailhead & Logistics
Address: Horseshoe Lake Trailhead, Lake Mary Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Parking: Free paved lot at Horseshoe Lake. Rarely fills. Ghost forest visible from parking area.
Bathroom: Pit Toilet
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Anytime. This lot rarely fills completely.
Trail Reality Check
The ghost forest at Horseshoe Lake is a real phenomenon — trees killed by carbon dioxide seeping from volcanic activity underground. McLeod Lake itself has a sandy beach that looks completely out of place at 8,900 feet. Outstanding short hike that punches above its mileage. Great choice for acclimation day or first-time Sierra visitors.
Terrain: Flat gentle path through open forest. No technical sections.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round — McLeod Lake at destination. Filter before drinking.
Views: Good
Crowds: Moderate — Popular but lot rarely overwhelms. Quiet on weekday mornings.
Who should do this: Everyone. Beginners, children, visitors who are acclimating. Excellent first exposure to the Eastern Sierra.
Who should skip this: No one should skip this if they are in the Mammoth area.
