California · Hiking · Dinkey Lakes Wilderness · Near Shaver Lake

Helms Meadow

14.1 mi
round trip
1,107 ft
climb
9,308 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 10 h ago

Is Helms Meadow open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Helms Meadow, 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.

Helms Meadow is a 14-mile out-and-back hike in California's Dinkey Lakes Wilderness, part of the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The trail climbs from about 8,200 feet to a high point of 9,308 feet, with an elevation gain of 1,107 feet, and is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. The trail is not accessible, and bikes are not allowed. Horses are permitted, so it works for riders as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mammoth Lakes, which sits about 1,500 feet lower, show July highs around 78°F with lows near 49°F. That station's figures are not adjusted for the higher elevation of the trail. Mystery Lake and the Rainbow hike both lie within a mile. The Western Sierra climbing area is about 3 miles away, and Voyager Rock campground is roughly 7 miles off.

Around this trail

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More in Shaver Lake

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Helms Meadow

    Best months: May–September. 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

      41° / 17°

    2. Feb

      41° / 18°

    3. Mar

      45° / 22°

    4. Apr

      51° / 27°

    5. May

      60° / 35°

    6. Jun

      70° / 42°

    7. Jul

      78° / 49°

    8. Aug

      77° / 47°

    9. Sep

      71° / 40°

    10. Oct

      61° / 30°

    11. Nov

      49° / 23°

    12. Dec

      41° / 17°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mammoth Lakes Rs, CA, 33.7 mi away at 7,804 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.