California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Bishop

Emerald Lake

Emerald LakePhoto: mjhbower, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.8 mi
round trip
59 ft
climb
10,512 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Emerald Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Inyo National Forest.

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

Emerald Lake is an easy out-and-back hike of about 0.84 miles, with a total elevation gain of 59 feet, in the John Muir Wilderness. It sits within the White Mountain Ranger District of Inyo National Forest, and the Forest Service manages the land. The route climbs from a low point of 10,435 feet to a high of 10,512 feet, which makes for a short, gentle walk. The trail is natural-surface, and horses are allowed. It is not an accessible trail. The hike is open year-round. The closest neighbors are the Sabrina Basin mountain biking area, about 0.3 miles away, and the Donkey Lakes hike, about 0.4 miles away. A little farther out are Middle Fork Bishop Creek, about 2.5 miles off, and Sabrina Campground, about 2.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Sabrina Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Waterfront Café

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Paiute-Shoshone Indian Cultural Center

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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