Hikes in Inyo National Forest

It is difficult to even discuss Inyo National Forest without loading up your backpack for a trek into the high sierra. This incredible region of California features staggering summits, epic glaciers, crystal clear lakes, and pristine pine forests. It is truly a hiker’s delight.

Highlights of Inyo National Forest

  • This hike of 14 miles or more crosses a scenic stretch of the Sierra through pine forests, lakes, meadows, and streams to reach a stunning backcountry lake below Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.
  • This 7-mile round trip trail travels from Horseshoe Meadow to an 11,200-foot pass and a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, with access to Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
  • This scenic 10 to 15-mile round trip hike crosses a lake-filled basin in the John Muir Wilderness to access to New Army Pass, a 12,300-foot pass on the border of Sequoia National Park.
  • This 22-mile round trip trek travels past Cottonwood Lakes Trail over New Army Pass to a 14,042-foot summit with towering views of the Sierra.
  • This 8 to 9-mile day hike follows a secluded trail through mountain meadows to the South Fork Lakes and Cirque Lake.
  • This 12,900-foot summit in the John Muir and Golden Trout Wildernesses can be reached via off-trail ascents from New Army Pass, Cirque Lake, and Chicken Spring Lake.

Inyo National Forest

Several distinct federally protected wilderness areas, including Golden Trout Wilderness and John Muir Wilderness, make up the nearly 3,000 square miles of Inyo National Forest. Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48, is located on the edge of Inyo National Forest, as well as several 13,000-foot and 14,000-foot peaks. Inyo National Forest borders Sequoia National Park and contains several trails that cross the bother into the national park’s breathtaking backcountry.

Many of the trails below begin from Horseshoe Meadow and continue north and west into wilderness areas extending into Sequoia National Park. To the north, trailheads near Mammoth Lakes facilitate the beautiful Ediza Lake – Thousand Island Lake Loop.

Inyo National Forest Hiking

This collection of trails in Inyo National Forest lists the hikes from south to north. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you select your next trek. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, maps, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these trails. Below the table is an interactive map showing the location of each hike.

TrailDescriptionDistanceLocation
Thousand Island Lake243Thousand Island Lake
This exceptional lake is a true gem of the Sierra, reached via a section of Pacific Crest Trail through Ansel Adams Wilderness near Mammoth Lakes.
18 miles
1,515 feet
37.682865,
-119.0847
Shadow Lake245Shadow Lake
This hike crosses a picturesque canyon and passes a plunging cascade to visit a mountain lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness near Mammoth Lakes.
8.5 miles
750 feet
37.682,
-119.086
Ediza Lake246Ediza Lake
This hike ventures above Shadow Lake along a creek to a beautiful lake below Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.
15 miles
1,250 feet
37.682,
-119.086
Iceberg Lake247Iceberg Lake
This short extension off the trail to Ediza Lake heads to a higher lake in a sublime setting below a ridge of steep spires called the Minarets.
1 mile (extension)
510 feet
37.682,
-119.086
Garnet Lake249Garnet Lake
This beautiful lake along John Muir Trail lies between Shadow Lake and Thousand Island Lake, making it an ideal stop on a backpacking loop.
17.1 miles
2,070 feet
37.682,
-119.086
Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake Loop251Ediza Lake - Thousand Island Lake Loop
This multi-day trek incorporates sections of John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail to visit a series of stunning Sierra lakes in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of Inyo National Forest.
25 miles
2,110 feet
37.682,
-119.086
Minaret Falls254Minaret Falls
This out and back hike from Devils Postpile National Monument connects with Pacific Crest Trail to reach the base of a waterfall that tumbles and slides down a rocky slope.
3 miles
125 feet
37.6299,
-119.0847
Rainbow Falls258Rainbow Falls
This hike passes the Devils Postpile Formation to reach an attractive 101-foot waterfall with rainbows in its mist.
5.1 - 5.25 miles
325 - 435 feet
37.6299,
-119.0847
Cottonwood Pas700Cottonwood Pass
This trail leaves Horseshoe Meadow for an 11,200-foot pass and a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, with access to Golden Trout Wilderness and Sequoia National Park.
7 miles
1,200 feet
36.44834,
-118.17065
Chicken Spring Lake710Chicken Spring Lake
This hike continues past Cottonwood Pass to an alpine lake that makes a nice day hike destination or a good first camp for backpackers.
8.2 miles
1,330 feet
36.44834,
-118.17065
Old Cottonwood Creek Trail720Old Cottonwood Creek Trail
This hike follows a secluded trail through mountain meadows to the South Fork Lakes and Cirque Lake.
8 - 9 miles
1,150 feet
36.4532,
-118.1699
Cottonwood Lakes730Cottonwood Lakes
This scenic trail provides a day hike through a lake-filled basin and access to New Army Pass, a 12,300-foot pass on the border of Sequoia National Park.
10 - 15 miles
1,400 - 2,350 feet
36.4532,
-118.1699
Cirque Peak740Cirque Peak
This 12,900-foot summit can be reached via off-trail ascents from New Army Pass, Cirque Lake, and Chicken Spring Lake.
13 - 19 miles
2,900 feet
36.476732,
-118.237023
Lower Soldier Lake750Lower Soldier Lake in Sequoia National Park
This 19.2-mile loop crosses Cottonwood Pass and New Army Pass to visit a beautiful lake that is an ideal camping spot for backpackers heading higher and deeper into the Sierra.
17.6 -20.8 miles
1,500 - 2,350 feet
36.503604,
-118.269331
Mount Langley760Mount Langley in Sequoia National Park
This trek travels past Cottonwood Lakes Trail over New Army Pass to a 14,042-foot summit with towering views of the Sierra.
22 miles
4,000 feet
36.4532,
-118.1699
Sky Blue Lake770Sky Blue Lake in Sequoia National Park
This hike extends beyond Lower Soldier Lake up Miter Basin to a deep blue lake surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
26 miles
2,350 feet
36.532788,
-118.273494
Primrose Lake780Primrose Lake in Sequoia National Park This trek visits a lake off the side of Miter Basin near Sky Blue Lake and below Mount Pickering. 28 miles
2,350 feet
36.521144,
-118.276173
Mount Pickering790Mount Pickering in Sequoia National Park
This 13,485-foot summit rises above Sky Blue Lake to offer sweeping views of the Sierra.
30 miles
3,500 feet
36.527133,
-118.290875
View Sierra Nevada trails and campgrounds in a larger map
Or explore hikes around Inyo National Forest on the Hike Finder Map
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Fallen Leaf Campground South Lake Tahoe Camping Fallen Leaf Lake USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
While Lake Tahoe's deep blue waters are the region's biggest draw for summertime visitors, the under-the-radar Fallen Leaf Lake is a jewel in its own right. Fallen Leaf Campground is a great basecamp for exploring both lakes, thanks to its central location about 1/4 mile from the north end of Fallen Leaf Lake and a mile from the south end of Lake Tahoe. Fallen Leaf Campground is spread... Read more.
By: Published: Last updated: September 11, 2024
Fallen Leaf Lake Moraine Trail Lake Tahoe Basin South Lake Tahoe Hike
What's better than hiking by a lovely creek - maybe hiking by a lovely lake. You can do both on Moraine Trail, visiting Fallen Leaf Lake and Taylor Creek in the Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest Lands near South Lake Tahoe. This easy and level loop is 1.1 miles long, including a short side trail to Fallen Leaf Lake Dam. The mountain-cradled Fallen Leaf Lake is located just south of Lake... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest Lands · Lakes · South Lake Tahoe
Distance: 1.1 miles · Elevation change: 35 feet
By: Published: Last updated: September 11, 2024
Way of the Mono Trail Sierra National Forest Bass Lake View Hike Oakhurst California
Interpretive trails are usually good places to appreciate the finer features of a forest, but they tend to lack grand vistas. This is not the case with Way of the Mono Trail, which rises to a splendid view over Bass Lake, a beauty in the Sierra Nevada Mountains south of Yosemite National Park. Way of the Mono Trail is a 0.6-mile loop with 140 feet of elevation change. Panels along this... Read more.
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Tagged with · Bass Lake · Free Trails · Lakes · Morteros · Native American Heritage · Nature Trails · Oakhurst
Distance: 0.6 miles · Elevation change: 140 feet
By: Published: Last updated: June 30, 2021
Chimney Beach Trail Lake Tahoe Nevada Chimney Beach Hike Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Before your visit to Lake Tahoe goes up in smoke, take a hike to Chimney Beach - where a standing-on-its-own fireplace and chimney serve as an unsual landmark for a lovely little cove. The brick chimney is all that's left of an old cabin built in the sand between boulder-strewn points on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. If curiosity about the chimney draws you to Chimney Beach, the beautiful... Read more.
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Tagged with · Beaches · Carson City · Free Trails · Ruins · South Lake Tahoe
Distance: 1.1 miles · Elevation change: 215 feet
By: Published: Last updated: September 11, 2024
Cave Rock Trail Lake Tahoe Nevada Overlook Hike
Gaze out from Route 50 as it travels along the southeast side of Lake Tahoe and you'll find nice views of the lakeshore and its surrounding mountains. Seven miles up from the state border in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada Route 50 slips through a tunnel in a tall pointed ridge of volcanic rock. The road itself is scenic, but the sight of Cave Rock should have you speculating how superb things must... Read more.
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Tagged with · Free Trails · Glenbrook · South Lake Tahoe · Summits
Distance: 0.9 miles · Elevation change: 165 feet
By: Published: Last updated: September 11, 2024