California · Hiking

Lake Canyon

1.2 mi
round trip
170 ft
climb
7,996 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Lake Canyon 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.

Lake Canyon is an easy, short out-and-back hike on natural trail in the Mono Lake Ranger District of Inyo National Forest, about 1.2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 170 feet. The route starts and ends at the Lundy Canyon Campground area, on land managed by the county. It rises from about 7,814 feet to about 7,996 feet. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the Lee Vining weather station, about 7.5 miles away, show highs around 66°F in May and 76°F in September, while July highs reach about 84°F and winter highs sit in the low 40s. The trailhead is open year-round. West Virginia Creek and Trumbull Lake campgrounds are both about 2.5 miles away, and the Lundy Canyon hike is about 2.4 miles off. Climbers can find Pyramid & Warren Towers about 5.2 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Lake Canyon

    Best months: April–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

      41° / 21°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 23°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      51° / 28°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 32°

      4 wet

    5. May

      66° / 40°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 47°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 54°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 52°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 45°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      53° / 28°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 22°

      6 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lee Vining, CA, 7.5 mi away at 6,797 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.

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