California · Hiking · John Muir Wilderness · Near Mammoth Lakes

Woods Lakes

Woods LakesPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.2 mi
round trip
283 ft
climb
10,177 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Woods Lakes 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.

Woods Lakes is an easy out-and-back hike in California's John Muir Wilderness, within the Mammoth Ranger District of Inyo National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and runs about 2.2 miles, with a total elevation gain of 283 feet from a low point of 9,870 feet to a high of 10,177 feet. The route is natural-surface and allows horses, and it is not an accessible trail. Bikes are not permitted. The trail is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows, which sits about 1,500 feet lower, show July highs around 71°F and lows near 38°F. That station's figures are not directly comparable to conditions on this trail, which sits higher. Emerald Lake-Skelton Lake and Duck Pass, both mountain biking routes, are within half a mile. The Talladega Nights Area climbing spot is about 0.8 miles away, and Coldwater Campground is about 2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Coldwater Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lakefront

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rains

    Art Gallery at Twin Lakes

    Gallery

    On your way back · 3 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 Woods Lakes

    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, 28.9 mi away at 8,694 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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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