Crystal Lake

We drove up to the Deer Lakes Trailhead in Mammoth Lakes to hike up to Crystal Lake and partway around the lake, 3.4 miles round trip with 800 ft of overall gain. This is a very popular hike, we started early and only saw a few other people on our way up, saw many others heading up as we were hiking down.

There were lots of tall trees and granite boulders along this trail.

We had views of Lake George on our way up the trail, as well as

views of Crystal Crag.

Crystal Crag part of Mammoth Crest

View of Lake George and Lake Mary below

Lots of lovely granite boulders

View of Crystal Crag from the outlet to Crystal Lake

Crystal Crag and Crystal Lake

Various views around Crystal Lake:

On the trail before it drops down to Crystal Lake there is a view area (9,742 ft) where we could see Lake George, Lake Mary, Lake Mamie and Twin Lakes.

I think this may be the back side of Mammoth Mountain as seen from our trail today

Beautiful view of Lake George and Lake Mary, with some golden aspens, as we continue down the trail.

 

Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes

We drove to the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead at Mammoth Lakes to hike up to Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes in the Inyo National Forest, 10 miles with 1,900 ft of gain. On our way up to Valentine Lake we only saw 2 other hikers. More were coming up as we hiked back down the trail.

The trail is in a conifer forest with some aspen trees that were turning golden.

Lots of beautiful pine trees and areas with large granite boulders.

The trail gained 830 ft in the first 1.7 miles, before dropping slightly to Sherwin Lakes. A view looking up the valley.

Beautiful reflection of Herlihy Peak in one of the Sherwin Lakes, this was about 2.2 miles from the trailhead.

The trail climbed gently through the forest with some beautiful large trees and some aspens.

A little over 3 miles, the trail enters the John Muir Wilderness.

Through the forest with more large trees,

peekaboo views of mountains, and

signs of fall.

About 4.25 miles from the trailhead, the trail goes by this lovely pond.

In the last 1/2 mile or so, the trail heads up in a series of switchbacks along side Sherwin Creek.

Almost to the top of the ridge before Valentine Lake,

View looking back down the valley

First look at Valentine Lake

We crossed some rocks at the outlet of Valentine Lake, view of the lake and

view back down the valley from the outlet.

We headed back to the east side of the lake, with a short scramble to find a good lunch spot at the lake.

Wide angle view of Valentine Lake, so gorgeous!!!

a boulder with various colors of lichen on it

More large trees to admire on our hike back down the trail.

Another view of one of the Sherwin Lakes

View of Mammoth Mountain on the left as we were coming down the final ridge.