California · Hiking · Near Mammoth Lakes

L-Lookout Loop Sm

L-Lookout Loop SmPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.4 mi
round trip
2,473 ft
climb
7,827 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is L-LOOKOUT LOOP SM 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.

L-LOOKOUT LOOP SM is a hard hike in California's Inyo National Forest, within the Mammoth Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 10.9 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,473 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 22%. The high point is 7,827 feet, and the trail starts at 7,652 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mammoth Lakes show July highs around 78°F with lows near 49°F, while winter highs sit around 41°F with lows in the teens. The hike takes about five hours. Big Springs Campground is about 2 miles away, and Matrimony Wall, a climbing area, is about 2.2 miles off. The DJ LOOP SM hike and the H-Crestview Rest Area/craters mountain biking route are both about 1.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Big Springs Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Patty Shack

    Fast food

    On your way back · 5 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–Sep

    Best time to visit L-LOOKOUT LOOP SM

    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, 5.1 mi away at 7,804 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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