John Muir on the Sierra Nevada: "...the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen."
The Sierra Nevada mountain range is home to arguably some of the most scenic alpine landscapes in the country. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada is the Eastern Sierra—a stretch of granite peaks, diverse forests, cascading waterfalls, as well as alpine lakes and meadows. Bordering its popular neighbor Yosemite National Park, the Eastern Sierra offers a more intimate experience with the outdoors.
Over the past few years, I've found myself returning to the Eastern Sierra time and time again. It is not quite like anywhere else I have visited—it is a special place. The Eastern Sierra has had such an immense impact on me, yet still feels so much like home.
This hiking guide will detail everything you need to know to plan your visit to the Eastern Sierra, including a list of my trail recommendations. If you're interested in exploring more of the Sierra Nevada, check out my blog posts for travel guides to Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
Table of Contents
Skip ahead to specific sections in this guide!
When to Hike in the Eastern Sierra
• Spring (March—May): Expect cool weather during the day and cold weather at night. During spring, you can typically expect late-season snow lingering from March to early to mid-April and warmer weather settling in by late April. While lakes at higher elevation may still be frozen during this time of year, waterfalls are at their peak and wildflowers are in full bloom.
• Summer (June—August): Expect warm weather during the day and cool weather at night. Summer is considered peak season as all roads are open and trails become clear of snow. During this time of year, you can still expect to see waterfalls roaring and wildflowers in bloom.
• Fall (September—November): Expect cool weather during the day and chilly weather at night. During autumn, the Eastern Sierra becomes draped in vibrant fall colors. While snow can begin to appear in November, you can expect ideal weather for hiking throughout most of the season.
• Winter (December—February): Expect snowy and cold weather. During winter, some roads will be closed due to snow and many trails will become inaccessible, with or without the proper gear.
Where to Stay in the Eastern Sierra
Camping: If you plan on day hiking, there are several campgrounds in the Eastern Sierra to choose from—find a comprehensive list here (my favorite has been Grays Meadows Campground which is located by a creek). Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season from late spring to early fall. You can typically reserve a campsite up to six months in advance. I recommend planning ahead as campsites get booked fast!
Make a reservation here in advance.
Backpacking: If you plan on backpacking, most trails in the Eastern Sierra require a permit for overnight stays—the trails and areas listed here require a wilderness permit year-round. You can reserve a permit up to six months in advance. Make sure to plan ahead as wilderness permits in the Eastern Sierra get booked almost instantly, especially for popular trails like Thousand Island Lake or Big Pine Lakes.
Make a reservation here in advance.
Staying at a hotel or Airbnb: If sleeping in a tent isn't your preference, there are a number of accommodation options in the Eastern Sierra to choose from. You can find hotels, Airbnbs, and similar lodging options in these towns, listed from north to south on the map:
• Bridgeport
• Lee Vining
• June Lake
• Mammoth Lakes • Bishop
• Big Pine • Independence • Lone Pine
Getting Around in the Eastern Sierra
The best (and most efficient) way to access trailheads in the Eastern Sierra is by car—most trailheads can only be accessed by roads that branch off from Highway 395. I recommend checking for up-to-date road status and conditions here, especially from November through June when roads may be closed due to snow.
Trail Recommendations in the Eastern Sierra
With countless trails in the Eastern Sierra, it can be overwhelming to determine where to start. Below is a list of trails I've hiked so far, including what to expect on each trail so you can plan ahead. All of the trails listed are worth visiting, but I'm highlighting my favorites from top to bottom in case it's helpful.
Note that this list is not comprehensive of all the trails in the Eastern Sierra—I'll continue to update this list with more trails as I hike them!
Cottonwood Lakes Trail
• Distance: 11.8-mile loop to reach the third Cottonwood Lake
• Time: 6—7 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate—Hard • Elevation gain: 1,102 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here. This map provides the full-length route—we hiked to the third lake before returning.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The trail to Cottonwood Lakes winds through diverse meadows. The earlier ones ribbon alongside trout-filled streams and the later ones stretch toward alpine lakes framed by snow-capped peaks. The high alpine meadows on this trail are idyllic—they are unlike any that I've seen elsewhere.
Kearsarge Pass Trail
• Distance: 12.4 miles out-and-back
• Time: 7—8 hours
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation gain: 3,490 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The trail to Kearsarge Pass is a continuous ascent on switchbacks for most of the route, passing by a series of alpine lakes—each tucked beneath craggy, granite peaks. Kearsarge Pass itself offers sweeping views of the Kearsarge Pinnacles as well as the Kearsarge Lakes in the valley below. Watch my YouTube video here for what to expect!
Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes Trail
• Distance: 7.2 miles out-and-back
• Time: 3—4 hours
• Difficulty: Easy—Moderate
• Elevation gain: 1,033 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The Little Lakes Valley to Gem Lakes Trail is a quintessential Eastern Sierra hike. It passes by a number of alpine meadows and lakes, as well as through clear, running creeks before reaching Gem Lakes—which is nestled in a basin surrounded by towering granite peaks. Watch my YouTube video here for what to expect!
Big Pine Lakes Trail
• Distance: 14.7 miles out-and-back
• Time: 8—9 hours
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation gain: 3,841 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The trail to Big Pine Lakes winds through diverse landscapes from alpine meadows and pine forests to rugged mountain terrain. One of the most iconic views in the Eastern Sierra is along this trail, of a glacially-fed lake framed by Temple Crag—a 12,982-foot peak.
Treasure Lakes Trail
• Distance: 5.5 miles out-and-back
• Time: 3—4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 1,371 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: Treasure Lakes feels incredibly remote and is striking. These clear, alpine lakes are surrounded by granite peaks, and the lakeshores are lined with pine trees. Watch my YouTube video here for what to expect!
Lake Sabrina to Blue Lake Trail
• Distance: 5.9 miles out-and-back
• Time: 3—4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 1,453 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: Blue Lake appears as if it’s from a storybook—it is so beautiful. Similar to Treasure Lakes, Blue Lake is a clear, alpine lake framed by granite peaks and surrounded by tree-lined lakeshores. Watch my YouTube Short here for what to expect!
Rainbow Falls Trail
• Distance: 4.9 miles out-and-back
• Time: 2—3 hours
• Difficulty: Easy—Moderate
• Elevation gain: 534 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit—note additional restrictions here.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The trail to Rainbow Falls begins at Devils Postpile National Monument—a stack of basalt columns formed by lava roughly 100,000 years ago. Rainbow Falls itself is a 101-foot waterfall that cascades against a steep, rocky cliff lined with pine trees. If you have extra time, extend your hike to Lower Falls which has a swimming hole you can take a dip in!
Lone Pine Lake Trail
• Distance: 6 miles out-and-back
• Time: 3—4 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation gain: 1,771 ft.
• Permits: Day hikes do not require a permit. Overnight stays require a wilderness permit.
• Map: Find the trail route on AllTrails here.
• Trailhead: Find the trailhead on Google Maps here.
Trail highlights: The trail to Lone Pine Lake follows the same beginning route as Mount Whitney, and is a continuous ascent on switchbacks along most of the route. The trail passes through mountain streams and pine forests beneath granite cliffs, before reaching an alpine lake. Check out my blog post here for what to expect!
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