California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Purple Lake

Purple LakePhoto: Leif, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5.7 mi
round trip
1,549 ft
climb
9,892 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Purple Lake 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.

Purple Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 5.7 miles in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the Mammoth Ranger District of Inyo National Forest. The trail climbs from a low point of about 8,338 feet to a high point of about 9,892 feet, a total gain of roughly 1,549 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. The route is natural-surface and allows horses but not bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 71°F and lows near 38°F in July, while winter highs there hover in the low 40s with lows below 13°F. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the peak run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Two other trails lie close by: Duck Pass Trail about 1.3 miles away and Ram Lake about 1.4 miles away. Coldwater Campground and Pine City Campground, both a little under 6 miles off, offer places to stay.

Around this trail

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

    Coldwater Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 5.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lakefront

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 7 mi
  • If it rains

    Art Gallery at Twin Lakes

    Gallery

    On your way back · 7 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 Purple 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, 32.4 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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