California · Hiking · Ansel Adams Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Rock Lake

3.7 mi
round trip
677 ft
climb
9,822 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Rock Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name Rock 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.

Rock Lake is a 3.7-mile out-and-back hike in California's Ansel Adams Wilderness, within the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The trail rises from about 9,140 feet to a high point of 9,822 feet, with a total elevation gain of 677 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is rated moderate. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows show July highs around 71°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs there sit in the low 40s. The hike is open year-round. Rock Creek lies about a mile away, and the Rock Lake Trail is about 1.8 miles off. Bear Crag, a climbing area, is about 6.6 miles away, and Vermillion campground is about 7.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Onion Springs Overflow

    Campground

    Campground · 5.1 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Iva Bell Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    On your way back · 6 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 Rock 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, 31.2 mi away at 8,694 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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.