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    Parker Lake Trail

    5.0 (9 reviews)

    Parker Lake Trail Photos

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    Ben A.

    I was neither designed nor destined for life in the big city; my existence therein relies heavily, it seems, on regular visits to places designed only by the natural passage of time, geologic forces unencumbered by human design, and the cosmic order of chance. This is my therapy, my chapel, my connection to those things greater than myself. Who appoints where aspens grow? What ordains where rocks fall to slow the descent of water melting from glaciers high above? I don't know and I don't care... only that these places remain for me and those who follow me when my judgment cometh, and that right soon. My hypocrisy goes only so far though, I suppose-- I drove here in a truck on a road, then a dirt road, leaving my vehicle in a patch of dry earth scraped clear of plants to form a parking lot. I walked the well-established trail a couple miles through chaparral and then pine and aspen forests to arrive at this little basin of water in the Ansel Adams wilderness, nestled below an escarpment carved out of the Sierra Nevada. The signs of humanity and her sins are here-- a few trees bearing the sickening scars of someone's scrawled initials, an occasional wrapper of trash haphazardly dropped or cast to the ground. But there is beauty here- the silence of space, running water and wind in the pines. The cry of a water bird or a raven in the trees, the scree of a bald eagle hunting the same trout as me, with sharper eyes and hooked talons I can't bear. Like so many small lakes along the slopes of the eastern Sierra, there is complex beauty in the simplicity of things, a refreshment, a revitalizing tonic for all five senses and all the parts of your heart that have no connection to cardiology. Enjoy the myriad shades of blue in the water-- cobalt and cerulean and aquamarine, juxtaposed against the stark background of green and earth. As the sun falls behind the crest of the Sierras, watch the shadows climb the walls of the canyon on either side. Leave only footprints and your troubles here, and take only photographs and memories. Because for most of us, a return trip down the trail to the car and the road home and the nuances and nuisances of those things awaits impatiently. You can't stay here forever, even if a part of you never really leaves. And that is the portion to return to-- a small sacrificial piece of the puzzle that makes the moments between moments and the spaces between places worth revisiting. It won't be long now. Because as Richard Bach wrote, "If our friendship depends on things like space and time, then when we finally overcome space and time, we've destroyed our own brotherhood! But overcome space, and all we have left is Here. Overcome time, and all we have left is Now." I sure hope so.

    Dirt road towards the trail
    LJ R.

    Yelp's map location is wrong. It's on the other end of the loop, near Grant Lake. I submitted an update. You're going to have to drive on a dirt road and you should probably get here early otherwise you're going to do some little hiking before you even get to the start of the trail. Leaving kind of sucks cause everyone parks on one side of the road and the other is for cars driving, which you could run into a car coming into your direction. You might have to drive all the way to the top to make a u-turn. Anyways this is an awesome hike to do especially with all that snow still up on the top of the mountains. Parker Lake is beautiful! It's not too difficult of hike as I saw people of all ages, shapes, and sizes and lots of dogs but it is not an easy hike as it had to be a few miles long. I saw people camping and fishing. Bring something to drink, some food, and enjoy a picnic at the lake before hiking back. I'd do this hike again definitely.

    Bella P.

    The trail is about 1.5 miles each way (3.6 miles total). Getting there requires going on gravel roads, which can get rough in places, but should be doable in a regular passenger car. The trail is moderate for the initial portion. Right out of the gate, you're going uphill on rocky terrain. Don't get discouraged though, it's not like this the whole way, but maybe the first 1/4-1/3 of the hike. You'll get good views of Mono Lake at this portion as you keep going up. The trail will eventually flatten and widen and will become a breeze to hike. It will join Parker Creek and you'll be surrounded by trees. It's a pretty hike along the way, but the showstopper is the lake itself. Camping (permit required) is allowed here but not campfires! Some geniuses were among a thicket of trees stoking a visible fire. There's no restrooms at the trailhead.

    Start of the trail

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    Ansel Adams Wilderness

    Ansel Adams Wilderness

    5.0
    (6 reviews)
    11.8 mi

    I entered the Ansel Adams Wilderness to reach 1000 Island Lake…read more Start the 16-mile roundtrip hike with almost 4000' elevation gain at the Silver Lake Campground on the June Lake Loop. Take the trail towards Agnew and Gem Lakes that transverses a cable-pulled rail line. Just before reaching the dam at Agnew Lake, follow signs to Clark Lakes by diverting left to the toughest part of the hike that goes up a rock scree. Enjoy the Clark Lakes and then follow the signs to 1000 Island Lake where the terrain rolls up and down. When approaching 1000 Island from the east, a climatic build up occurs as the trail skirts along a cascading river to one of best lakes imaginable. It's impossible to oversell the beauty of this large mountain lake dotted with vegetated islands and backed by towering granite crags. Although a long hike, plenty of stuff to see along the way maintains interest. Not monotonous (like hikes with only dense forest where every tree stump looks the same), the beginning has great views of Silver Lake followed by the industrial dams and rail tracks, and then the lushly green Clark Lakes - a worthwhile visit of their own. The busiest area was near 1000 Island Lake despite being the furthest from civilization. Consequently, my day-hiker self was in the minority amid the overnight backpackers and the trailhead parking lot was only half full. In late June 2022 during a drought, the lakes were full of water and patches of snow existed but never across the trail.

    Activity type: Backpacking Elevation gain at start: 7280…read moreLength: 36 miles total Trail type: out and back Skill level: moderate to strenuous Duration: 3 nights/4 days Top Elevation: 11,500 Total elevation gain: 7882 This hike will start you at the Rush Creek Trail at 7,280. Having climbed this trail so many times It still doesn't get old. It's the Labor Day w/e so the campground was packed with RV's . Although there were a couple of spots left for us backpackers. It was the perfect weather to hike in at 78 degrees. First Man made lake you will encounter will be Gem Lake at 9058 ft. The condition for this lake was appalling. The water level was low and the shore around it was dry. Expect to gain 1778 ft in 5 miles to get to Gem Lake. Alger Lakes is 7.5 miles from the intersection of Gem/Waugh/1000 Island. You start at 9160 ft and expect to gain 1840 ft the the very last of the three lakes. To get to the third Alger Lake you traverse a very scenic and relatively easy narrow trail surrounded by Donohue Peak at 11000 and Koip Peak at 12000. We scrambled up a class 2 nameless pass to get to a lake just below Koip Peak. It was merely a bowl of alpine lake not as big as the first Alger Lake but it was beautiful with dark rocks and nobody but us. No sign of snow since it's facing north. Although there's plenty of sign that the lake was once big and full. Rocks were exposed. Shores were much bigger. On the climb up we saw a not so visible waterfall form the lower lakes and followed it all the way up. At 11,500 the three Alger Lakes were fully exposed. What a scene! Alger Lakes are considered one of the most beautiful area to backpack. It boasts of one of the most beautiful canyon. Colors of green, blue, purple, red and yellow will play a trick on youR mind. I could swear I was in the Grand Canyon. Between the two canyons you will be able to get a glimpse of June lake resort. This is a very difficult hike with a lot of steep switchback climbs for miles and miles. Although the reward in the end and on the way in is worth it's weight in whatever precious metal you can think of. This is a very windy area. It may run 78-80 degrees during the day but the wind is chilled ice at 15-20 miles an hour. You. Will. Get. Cold! At night the wind is even worse. So pack some warm but light clothing and secure your tent. But this is one of my most rewarding trip. Awesome! #backpacking rocks # getoffyourbutt #getoffmybutt #11500 #koip peak12000.

    Photos
    Ansel Adams Wilderness
    Parts of the canyon
    Parts of the canyon
    The trail that runs alongside the canyon. Downhill on the way in and a bi*** on the way out. And this is just a portion!

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    The trail that runs alongside the canyon. Downhill on the way in and a bi*** on the way out. And this is just a portion!
    Gull Lake

    Gull Lake

    4.0
    (9 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    This was the first year we attended the Fireman's BBQ. It's a fund raiser by buying raffle tickets…read morehaving the money go to June Lake Fire Department. The big prize is a boat and trailer. They had so many prizes, $1.00 per ticket. You didn't win just one prize, you could win four or more depending on the worth of them. It was a great turn out. The food was outstanding. BBQ brisket, potato salad, beans and two rolls. The kids had a great time with two playgrounds, and a bounce house. We will definitely be back next year. We got there at 12:30 and it was pretty crowded then. The time is from 12:00-4:00. Parking is difficult, you may end up walking a bit, it's worth going.

    One of many of the beautiful lakes in this area. Haven't had a whole lot of luck with fish in this…read morelake but fish are caught here. Either way this spot will be another place to throw all your worries to the side and enjoy the great outdoors. Spectacular views just like most lakes in the area. If your plans are to stop here you won't be disappointed!

    Photos
    Tit was great having texts up to sit and eat lunch under, it got pretty warm. Best lunch, brisket, potato salad, beans and two rolls.
    Tit was great having texts up to sit and eat lunch under, it got pretty warm. Best lunch, brisket, potato salad, beans and two rolls.
    I saw these two young boys by the water. It looked so pretty. Great location, the BBQ is at the playground across from the thrift shop.
    I saw these two young boys by the water. It looked so pretty. Great location, the BBQ is at the playground across from the thrift shop.
    Lots of people came, besides the raffle, and eating they had numerous egg toss games for the adults and kids, it was pretty funny.

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    Lots of people came, besides the raffle, and eating they had numerous egg toss games for the adults and kids, it was pretty funny.

    Parker Lake Trail - hiking - Updated June 2026

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