California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Sharktooth Lake

2.0 mi
round trip
912 ft
climb
9,846 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Sharktooth Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Sharktooth Lake is a 2-mile out-and-back hike in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest. The trail climbs from about 9,000 feet to nearly 9,850 feet, with a total elevation gain of 912 feet, and it is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface, not accessible, and bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows, which sits about 1,150 feet lower, show July highs around 71°F and lows near 38°F. That station's figures are only a rough guide, since temperatures on this trail run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Coyote Cutoff and Silver Creek are both about 2 miles away, and Fish Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 2.3 miles off. For an overnight base, Coldwater Campground - Inyo NF (CA) is about 7.2 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Coldwater Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 7.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lakefront

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 8 mi
  • If it rains

    Iva Bell Hot Springs

    Hot spring

    On your way back · 2 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 Sharktooth 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 1,200 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Long CanyonPhoto: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Long Canyon

~3 min drive

0.14-mile out-and-back trail in Long Canyon, California with 30 ft of elevation gain.

Peter Pande LakePhoto: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Peter Pande Lake

~7 min drive

3.60-mile out-and-back trail to Peter Pande Lake in California.

Pumice ButtePhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pumice Butte

~8 min drive

3.87-mile out-and-back trail to Pumice Butte in California.

HIKE

Fish Creek

~8 min drive

28.68-mile out-and-back trail in California with 3,399 ft elevation gain.

Olive LakePhoto: Tom Hilton, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Olive Lake

~6 min drive

2.76-mile out-and-back trail to Olive Lake in California with 433 ft elevation gain.

Deer CreekPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Deer Creek

~8 min drive

3.37-mile out-and-back trail in California with 625 ft gain.

Minnow CreekPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Minnow Creek

~10 min drive

18.74-mile out-and-back trail in California with 628 ft elevation gain.

FISH CREEKPhoto: Leif, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

FISH CREEK

~7 min drive

3.12-mile out-and-back trail in California with 781 ft gain and 9,178 ft max elevation.

Purple LakePhoto: Leif, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Purple Lake

~8 min drive

5.73-mile out-and-back trail to Purple Lake in California with 629 ft of elevation gain.

John Muir TrailPhoto: Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

John Muir Trail

~11 min drive

8.1-mile out-and-back hike in California with 2,542 ft gain/loss and 8,939 ft max elevation.