California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Laurel Lake

3.8 mi
round trip
1,148 ft
climb
9,926 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Laurel Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Laurel Lake is a 3.8-mile out-and-back hike in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The trail climbs about 1,148 feet, from a low of about 8,750 feet to a high of about 9,926 feet, and is rated moderate. The land is managed by the Forest Service. Horses are allowed on this trail, but bikes are not, and it is not an accessible route. The route is natural-surface, so plan on a rougher, less developed footing. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows put July highs around 71°F with lows near 38°F, and the station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The trip is open year-round. Second Recess and Mono Creek are both within half a mile, and the Sierra Eastside climbing area is about 1.7 miles away. For camping, Mosquito Flat Backpacker Campground lies about 5.8 miles from the trail.

Around this trail

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

    Edison Ferry Pickup

    Campground

    Campground · 5.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Iva Bell Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    On your way back · 12 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 · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Laurel Lake

    Best months: June–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° / 13°

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 15°

    4. Apr

      45° / 22°

    5. May

      54° / 27°

    6. Jun

      65° / 33°

    7. Jul

      71° / 38°

    8. Aug

      70° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      47° / 20°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tuolumne Meadows Rs, CA, 41 mi away at 8,694 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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Golden LakePhoto: feverblue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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