With water so blue and the tan sand nice and warm, this is my new favorite lake. The entrance…read moreadjacent to the parking lot has two picnic tables, just before the trail we hiked. Though unsure of the lake's depth elsewhere, we were grateful as we enjoyed this beachside with shallow waters. Hoping to return before the roads close for the winter.

The scenery of Tenaya Lake is absolutely stunning from every angle, attracting photographers to…read morevisit and press shutters. However, tons of mosquitoes were assembling here, chasing and attacking you. Repellents are useless under such situation. Be careful!

+ Fun, easy hike. 3.5mi took 1.5hr. + Beautiful scenery…read more Pristine lake. Just like in the photo. + Whoa, the ants are huge here! - Lotta mosquitos around Mammoth Lakes hikes. - Very crowded albeit large parking. + Free parking. . 2 restrooms by the trailhead.

This review is for Crystal Lake Trail which was a ~3.2 miles round trip that took ~2 hour to…read morecomplete. This was one of the more strenuous hikes in Mammoth Lake due to the continuous incline to the top with an overlooking view of Lake George and Lake Mary! Trail can be difficult to follow in some areas. Best view of Crystal Lake would be on the right before you follow the trail to the left. Crowded with limited parking available. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/aHW-s-pHAIw

LET ME TELLLL YOU!!!! PACK SNACKS, ENERGY DRINKS, WATER!!!! This hike was a little much, mainly the…read morealtitude going up is it. I'm in pretty decent shape and run about 3 miles few times a week, I thought I could do it, 3 MILES IN I WAS NEEDING SOME CARBS hahaha Worth every break I took though. Go early and enjoy a swim, a snack by the water, the peace and quiet. I could cry the views were insane!!! Pictures don't do this place justice, JUST GO!!!! TRUST ME

This was a great hike! I'm a novice hiker, but I'm a distance runner so I have a good base level of…read morefitness. I was definitely out of breath during the initial mile or two of the hike. After that the hike was a little more gradual, but still a bit of a challenge. You see it all from heavy trees to large open fields. Even in mid-July there was a spot still covered in snow! We passed and played leapfrog with others on the trail, but I wouldn't call it crowded at all. We encountered the most people by the water, that is also where we encountered the most mosquitos. They were absolutely insane by both the upper and lower lake. We were basically constantly spraying repellent and it didn't seem to bother them. The mosquito nets look goofy, but I would have preferred one. On our way back down we did get stuck in a thunderstorm, complete with hail. There were a few rattling moments hearing lightning strike near by and being surrounded by dozens of trees that had been struck in previous storms. We all made it down safely, well sort of. I personally found the trail pretty easy to find and follow except in some of the areas right before the lakes. During the storm two members of my group found the trail hard to follow with the run off from the rain and they were lead into the woods. Long story short they eventually kept going downhill and made it to the road to catch a ride to the ranger station. Very stressful situation, they opted to just stay at the campsite the next day. Since there were several reviewers who mentioned the snow, I'd recommend taking this one on later in the summer. Since the trail can be hard enough to follow in some parts after the snow has already melted. Great escape from the valley crowds. We saw the upper and the lower lake and my hike was just over 9miles.

Mono Lake wasn't originally part of our trip, but we decided to stop, and I'm really glad we did :)…read moreI came here as a child but coming back with my own family and friends was awesome. We checked out the Discovery Center with the kids first, then headed down to the lake. It's such a cool place to see in person. The lake is super salty, so you can actually float, which my husband and the kids thought was so much fun! I wasn't brave enough to get in One thing to know before you go, there are tons of tiny brine shrimp in the water, so don't be surprised! They're harmless, just part of the lake's ecosystem but when they got out there were tons in their pockets The tufa towers are really unique and make the whole place feel unlike anywhere else. It's definitely worth walking around and taking in the views and beautiful for photos. If you're driving through the area or anywhere nearby, I'd definitely recommend making a stop. It's a really neat place to see, especially if you've never been before!

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I…read morehave a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. While Mono Lake is not a national park, it became one of the most memorable stops of our journey. On our way from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Death Valley, we made a stop at Mono Lake, which happened to be right at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park. It was the perfect opportunity to explore this incredible area, and we were also able to spend a few hours visiting Yosemite along the way. Wow. Mono Lake was a place unlike anywhere else we had visited. The first impression is simple: it looks like another planet. Mono Lake is a very unique landscape, with its ancient waters and strange limestone formations called tufa towers rising from the shoreline. These formations look almost like sculptures created by nature, and walking among them feels like stepping into a different world. The combination of the lake, the white tufa towers, the mountains in the background, and the changing light creates an almost surreal experience. For me, this visit had an extra special meaning. My favorite album of all time is Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, and Mono Lake appears on the inside cover of the album. Seeing this place in person was a wonderful and unexpected gift. It felt like visiting a landscape that had been part of my imagination for decades. We spent time walking around the lake, taking in the silence, the unusual scenery, and the incredible contrast between the desert-like surroundings and the dramatic Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. Mono Lake may not be a national park, but it absolutely deserves a stop. It is strange, beautiful, peaceful, and unforgettable. Sometimes the places that stay with you the longest are not necessarily the biggest or the most famous, but the ones that make you stop and say, "Wow, I have never seen anything like this before."

This campsite was probably the worst I've ever been at. The campground "host" and I use that term…read moreloosely was basically non existent. In previous years, the campground host would have never allowed such egregious behavior from site 29. My parents; who are in their 60s, may not ever camp again because of the patrons in site 29. I hope that you see that getting rid of the old host was a massive oversight and your campground has gone to hell.

Great Camp Ground. Host was very attentive and very friendly with all guests. Kept the place full…read moreof firewood, and quiet at dark. it was absolutely breathtaking looking at the full moon against the Dunderberg Peak (mountain top over the Lake) and sun rises were the brightest orange casted all around appeared to be surreal and illusional but its real! Just absolutely amazing views based on the that alone! Very clean & stocked restrooms. Clean, camping sites, with picnic table, fire ring, and a big bear locker for food. There is ample room for tent camping on most sites too. Great for families, Couples, Gatherings, Pets are welcome on a leash. Some sites are prime with a lake view. We went without reservations on a Tuesday- there were 2 sites left when we arrived at 3pm( lucked out) we wound up in camp site 21- it's the first one on your left as you come inside. It was a great site; except.... very dusty as traffic puts out a lot of dust( in and out cars driving through) and it's on a hill slant. We stayed 4 days and we still managed to have a wonderful time despite those 2 minuses. Great Campground really! Trumbull Lake has great fishing and we will definitely try to go back!!

This is a hike I would recommend to friends and you. I was there on a gloomy day when all of the…read morefalls in Yosemite were going like gang busters. This was due to a Snow Melt in May 2019 from a 160 Percent to Average Snow Fall. Take your time and you may notice some special sights like the Moss covered Heart Shaped Rock which is about Four Feet across. The Popcorn look alike I believe is Tree Resin. It did look good enough to eat. Notice the Rock Overhang and be sure you do not hit your head! Be sure to check the trail instructions from Forevermemorable F.. Without them and the pictures he posted I would not have found the trail. I would recommend you use Hiking Poles to help you descend the trail. If you would like to see the upper part of this falls take a ride on "Big Old Flat Road", Location 37.727751,-119.713163. Here you will find a small Parking Lot across the road from the upper falls. Walk on the bridge and check for the cascades. One nice aspect of this spot is that even when the park is packed the are no crowds here. I think it is more interesting to view than Bridal Veil Falls and you can get very close to it. Please check my pictures to see what I mean.

The hike to the waterfall is less than 15 minutes but the trail is hidden. 99% of visitors stop off…read moreand stay in/around the parking lot. I went in the Spring when the waterfall was moving and grooving. Much too fast and powerful to get much closer. Check out the pics of my April visit. This place would be great to visit in the Summer and just chill in the pool just under the waterfall. If you need trailhead info PM me.

Carlon Falls Trail is one of the most rewarding hikes because at the end, there is a beautiful…read morewaterfall and cold pool of water to swim in. The hike is about 3 miles and starts off in Groveland, in Stanislaus National Forest, and goes into Yosemite National Park. You will have to go on a dirt trail and go up and down a couple of rocky hills so make sure to wear good hiking shoes. There are spots along the river that you can stop at if you don't want to hike all the way to the end. But it's worth it to go to the end. There are waterfalls (not super tall), but very pretty, especially with the surrounding trees and nature. In the summer, when the temperature is hot, the water is very refreshing, but it is very cold. A lot of people enjoy swimming in the waters at Carlon Falls. Not only is this one of the prettiest hikes in Yosemite, it's free to hike this trail. Also, if you park your car up the road, the parking would be free too. I've done this hike 3 times in the past 4 years and have enjoyed it each time.

Really beautiful river trail that ends at a spectacular waterfall, not too far from Hetch Hetchy…read more Carlon falls trail begins outside the Carlon Day Use area with a small roadside lot. If it's full, you can park, for a fee, in the day use area. That's $10, cash only. There was a remarkably clean pit toilet as well as some picnic areas in the day use area. The trail itself is easy to navigate and only goes one direction along the river and to the falls. It's mostly flat and well shaded, until the end when you have to scramble up a rocky hillside. In May 2023, the cascades prior to the falls are running pretty intensely as were the falls. The surrounding forest was a bit gloomy as it's recovering from the Rim Fire. Still, the tall trees, new growth and some pops of wildflowers made for a fun hike. You also get some lovely river views. My fitness tracker put it at almost 3.5 miles. Nice little side trip when in the area and don't want to go from Hetch Hetchy down to Yosemite valley but still want to get some miles in.

Ahhhh such a beautiful lake ... but , did I struggle ugh …read more.... I'm an avid hiker but have been on a hiatus for quite some time and I have been out of the gym for a while and I suffered baaaaddd from it. Sigh. Anyways , you can park your car in a lot by the Tioga gate off 120. The trail head is right there by the Tioga gate . If you are coming from the park ( Yosemite) the trail head is on your left side of the road. It's only a mile to get to the lake but it's a pretty steep inclination and being soooo freaking out of shape right now , I had to take a break every 10-20 steps. I was out of breath , huffing and puffing , light headed and dizzy. Maybe from the high altitudes too . I was gasping for air. I had no problem doing Clouds Rest last year ... ugh. Anyways , the lake itself is stunningly gorgeous. Water is so clear , we saw some trouts gracefully swimming. Snow covered mountains in the background. Nice cool breeze felt good since I was sweating like crazy. There may be about 20 other hikers we saw. Some were struggling like I was climbing up on the way. It's up and then down to the lake. It should be easy peasy for experienced hikers but might be tough if you are a beginner because of the elevation gain but totally doable and totally worth it. The view is amazing all around not just the lake but the view of Mt Dana , Mt Hoffman and other peaks you can see from the trail. If you are out of shape like I am right now, just take your time and go slowly. It's okay , it's not a race. Enjoy the view and the smell and the sound of the mountains:))) ha ha One last thing , tons of mosquitoes when we were there on Saturday (6/23/2018). Highly recommend bug spray. I got tons of bites on my face and legs. Luckily I was wearing a long sleeve shirt so no bites on my arms.

Yawnnnn... A bit on…read morethe boring side for a Back Country hike. The hike starts out with some solid elevation gain, but after 15 minutes of hiking you'll be at the top of the peak and heading down towards Gaylor Lake. The lake is pretty big and beautiful with plenty of fish to be seen swimming in it. Due to the elevation of the lake it is colder than the lower elev lakes. Keep to your right and head up the trail to Upper Gaylor Lake. Not as big and pretty boring there. You can head left over the small mountain and see a few other small lakes on the other side or you can head straight up the trail to the old rock huts and mines and another small lake. After a 10 minute hike from Upper Gaylor Lake you'll crest the top and see several old rock homes. Go on inside and make yourself at home. Can you imagine people used to mine and live up here?! Our ancestors were definitely tougher than we are. Watch out for at least 2 mining holes. They have no warning or barrier around then and appear to be at least 20' deep WITH NO WAY OUT. The views on this trip are average at best. I wouldn't recommend this hike for the following reasons. IF you are coming Westward on the 120, the trailhead is at the Eastern end of the park, which is around 50 miles on Tioga pass road. The views are OK at best, not much too see. If you are coming in from the Eastern end (Highway 395) then it makes sense to check this easy hike off your list and then never speak of it again! There are only like 25+ better hikes off Tioga Road that come to mind. Hope this review helps those considering the hike.