California · Hiking · Ansel Adams Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Doris Lake

0.5 mi
round trip
36 ft
climb
6,852 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Doris Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Doris Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Sierra National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Doris Lake is a short, easy hike in the Ansel Adams Wilderness, part of the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest in California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is about 0.46 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 36 feet. It is an out-and-back route that starts and ends at roughly the same point, with the high point at about 6,852 feet. The trail is natural-surfaced and not accessible. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. That makes it a good option for riders on horseback or for anyone who wants to keep the route simple on foot. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Huntington Lake weather station show July and August highs around 74°F with lows near 49°F and only one or two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with January highs around 43°F and lows near 24°F. Soda Springs, a mountain biking area, is about 0.2 miles away. Mono Hot Springs campground is about 0.6 miles off, and Mono Crossing and the South Fork San Joaquin River are both within about 2 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Mono Hot Springs

    Campground

    Campground · 0.6 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Iva Bell Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    On your way back · 14 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Mammoth Lakes

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Doris Lake

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 24°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 26°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    5. May

      56° / 36°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 37°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 25°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntington Lake, CA, 13.4 mi away at 7,020 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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