California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Lake Italy

Lake ItalyPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
10.7 mi
round trip
2,651 ft
climb
12,361 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Lake Italy open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Lake Italy is a hard hike in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs from about 9,685 feet to about 12,361 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,651 feet over a distance of about 10.7 miles. 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. The Seven Gables Trail and the Seven Gables hike both lie within about 2 miles. Bear Creek and Mono Creek, canoeing spots, are a little farther out.

Around this trail

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

    Edison Ferry Pickup

    Campground

    Campground · 5.9 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Iva Bell Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    On your way back · 15 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Mammoth Lakes

Local outfitters

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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

LAKE ITALYPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

LAKE ITALY

~2 min drive

2.34-mile out-and-back trail to Lake Italy in California with 475 ft gain.

Volcanic KnobPhoto: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Volcanic Knob

~5 min drive

2.88-mile out-and-back trail in California with 668 ft elevation gain.

Bear Creek CutoffPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bear Creek Cutoff

~10 min drive

5.96-mile loop trail in California with 1,637 ft elevation gain

MONO CREEKPhoto: feverblue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

MONO CREEK

~12 min drive

9.34-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,527 ft elevation gain/loss.

Seven Gables TrailPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Seven Gables Trail

~3 min drive

3.1-mile out-and-back hike in California with 922 ft elevation gain and loss.

Cirque LakePhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Cirque Lake

~10 min drive

12.98-mile out-and-back trail to Cirque Lake in California with 3,524 ft gain.

HIKE

Second Recess

~9 min drive

3.12-mile out-and-back trail in California with 665 ft gain.

HIKE

Mono Creek Trail

~10 min drive

23.92-mile out-and-back trail in California with 4,745 ft elevation gain and loss.

Seven GablesPhoto: shutterfish, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Seven Gables

~4 min drive

2.14-mile out-and-back trail in California with 672 ft elevation gain.

BEAR CREEKPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

BEAR CREEK

~11 min drive

12.2-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,227 ft elevation gain and loss.