Canyon View Loop Trail, Whitewater Preserve. California — There was one other family enjoying the shore of Fern Lake but return down trail hours before the sun began to set. For a chance to explore a mysterious region almost entirely untouched by the backpacking community. Lassen Volcanic Park. A thick conifer forest provides plenty of shade. Plenty of people have used this small, glacially created lake to cool off before having a picnic and taking photographs of wildflowers. This is a butt kicker of an uphill, and it gets very steep at times. Of the pair, one lives in the Yosemite area and has some limited backpacking experience in the park, while the other had never before been on an overnight backpacking trip. I hiked alone for some “me” time and I didn’t encounter another human being the entire time. If infection rates are on the rise, please do your best to remain local for your hikes. On Sunday, June 23, 2013, two friends, ages 40 and 38, set off an overnight backpacking trip at the Ten Lakes trailhead. How to Get Permits for the John Muir Trail . She gives us a run-down on the 11 most beautiful lake hikes in Colorado. Hikers who only want a quick but steep trip up to Fern Lake will turn right, while those aiming to see both lakes should turn left. Extending your hike If Yost Park hasn't satisfied all your hiking ambitions, Pine Ridge Park is only a half-mile away. A huge highlight was a short but hard hike up to the incredible Fern Lake. Fern Canyon is one of my favorite day hikes in California due to its incredible and rewarding views and plant diversity that looks like something out of Jurassic Park… A big bonus is that this hike can easily be done with small children. Location requests are blocked. In May and June, depending on the snowpack, hikers should take extra caution here, as the current can be incredibly powerful. 40 (4)] The cold, clear water in Fern Lake is wonderful on tired feet. About two miles past Gull Lake, be on the lookout for a small sign marking the trailhead on the left (south) side of the road. Read on for information about a short steep hike to the less visited Fern Lake. Shimmy your way across the narrow log bridge and continue your ascent on the other side. log in sign up. The town is surrounded by forests and mountains. The bear box in the parking lot may be broken, so take extra care and try not to leave food and scented items in your car. This is a moderate loop trail to Yost Lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness. Anyhoo, once you turn around, its pretty much rip-roaring downhill fun all the way back to the car. From here the grade lessons and the trail meanders through forest and meadow for another 1.4 miles until Yost Lake. Carefully pick your way down the steep bits and boulders, using trekking poles if you have them. Located on the June Lake Loop, the Fern Lake trail starts out steep and then gets steeper. There are two good campsites on the NW side of Yost Lake. Trail is well signed, easy to follow, and all junctions are marked. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities. I made it up in 1 1/2 hours (lots of stops for pics) and down in about an hour. To purchase more detailed maps or guidebooks of the area, visit sierraforever.org An amazing overnight backpacking trip in the Ansel Adams Wilderness to some of the Sierras most pristine back-country lakes - Fern & Lake Ashley. Parker Lake is a 3.8 mile hike around one of the smaller lakes that takes about 2.5 hours to complete. It’s also accessed from Bear Lake Trailhead at the end of Bear Lake Road. It’s from Colorado local Sarah Maurer of missadventurepants.com. We did this hike in June and there was still up to 10 feet of snow in … The best campsites here all have well constructed fire rings and are situated just 100 feet north of the lake. With so little available information about the area, water sources etc, every single day was a real adventure. 8. Your email address will not be published. It's right where I left it §: Yost Lake was quiet and peaceful; except for the ducks, I had the place to myself. There are actually a few different trails you can take to get to Yost Lake: (highlighted in Blue) One starts across from the fire station in downtown June Lake. There's also a creek crossing at the 1-mile mark that might be sketchy in the early season (if heading to Yost Lake). There aren't many overnight permits given out, so we knew we would at least knew it would not be crowded. Here, the trail really gets STEEP. Directions: From the US-395 head west on the CA-158 S at the June Lake Junction. Mammoth is tucked in the Sierra Nevadas and is a quaint resort and recreational town. About 1 mile in, the trail towards Fern Lake gets very steep and rocky. The trail is listed as about a 3-mile out and back with a little over 1500-feet in elevation gain. Distance: 6 miles; Elevation Gain: 2,600 feet; Difficulty: Moderate Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking for an adventurous, 6-mile day hike, a seasoned Sierra fisherman, or a backpacker wanting to escape the crowds, the Yost and Fern Lake Trail is a pristine choice for a weekend getaway. You reach the park via Highway 101 near Davison Road. A brisk climb through Pine and Aspen finds these two lakes, tucked in separate small valleys above the resort town of June Lakes. Views of the Banner Peak and the Ritter Range are unparalleled. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. towards Fern Lake. in and out hike, about 4.5 miles each way. Fern / Yost Lake Trail A brisk climb through Pine and Aspen finds these two lakes, tucked in separate small valleys above the resort town of June Lakes. As you near Fern Lake, the trail levels out, with Carson Peak’s imposing east face coming into view. We chose a hike to Fern Lake. It’s really steep – apparently the trail builders didn’t believe in switch backs. The 3.2-mile hike to a secluded lake filled with brownies and stunning views along the way. Though you may see many day hikers on your way in, Fern Lake is not a popular overnight destination — you’re likely to have the lake to yourself even in summer months. Look for the trailhead sign and large dirt parking lot just west of the Carson Peak Inn. Fern Lake Trail. The trails to Yost and Fern Lakes start at the same trail head: within walking distance from the Double Eagle Resort! https://ourinfiniteearth.com/hiking-to-yost-fern-lakes-inyo-national-forest It was only us in complete solitude. All Backpacking Camping Caving & Spelunking Day Hikes Guided Tours Luxury Resorts On The Water Road Trips Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Travel Guides. Trailhead is just a short distance from the center of June Lake. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. ... Yost and Fern Lakes. Why you should go: A short but steep hike out of June Lake that’s full of majestic views, bursts of wildflowers, and two stunning alpine lakes – without the crowds! The scent of sagebrush and the view of the snow-capped high Sierra make this a very rewarding hike. From creek-fed oak groves, to fern-covered redwood forests, to enchanting ocean viewpoints, there’s something for everyone in the Big Sur backcountry. You will be rewarded with amazing views of the valley in both directions. 10 Lakes Backpacking. I think there’s only a couple on the whole trail! You directly head into a climb that is made up of a few long switch-backs. in and out hike, about 4.5 miles each way. I am an all around tech guy, a graphic designer and programmer, a car enthusiast, and a coffee and beer lover. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Find out more about this adventure in our blog! This hike is basically straight up to the lake and back down. The Fern Lake trail is steep and rocky but the reward at the end is paradise. All Rights Reserved. We pit stopped at Mammoth Brewing Company and had incredible food and beer before setting off on the trek. Activities. The funny thing about my journey to Yost Lake is that it took me three separate days to summit to the actual lake. Thinning Project to Close Yost/Fern Lake Trailhead Inyo National Forest – August 2015 – The Inyo National Forest announces plans to complete numerous mechanical thinning projects for co… Ascending out of the June Lake recreation area, this trek is a short but strenuous jaunt up […] Please enable it from your browser or operating system. Thanks, and stay safe! These two hikes are short and sweet! Continue straight ahead on the Sword Fern Trail to return to your trailhead at the parking area. Alerts & Warnings. Whether or not I would find water. Fishing season is generally the last Saturday in April through November 15th, and a separate permit is required for those intending to cast their lines. Yost & Fern Lakes. Yost Creek - Fern Lake Trailhead 4801 June Lake Loop #5099 Lp June Lake, CA Hiking Backpacking & Mountaineerings Service - MapQuest. Fun fact – most lakes in the Sierra Nevada were fish-free until the mid 1800s. From the 395 N, turn left onto CA-158 S and head towards June Lake. After about a mile of ascent, the trail reaches Fern Creek, where the trail to Fern Lake splits off from the main trail. Feel free to park the bike and continue hiking past this point. 158) near Double Eagle Resort & Spa. There’s a porta-potty here for hikers to use and a bear box that, sadly at the time of writing, was broken. Fern Lake is a great place for hanging out in your backpack hammock and fishing. The main trail leads past the creek to Yost Lake, which was further than we intended to go for the day. Clark Dry Lake, Anza Borrego State Park. After the first mile hikers arrive at the junction to Yost Lake, a little higher and farther away than Fern Lake. |. The park’s website has a map of the campsites. Click here to read the current CDC guidelines for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic. June Lake, Yost Creek and Fern Lake Trail [CLOSED] is a 12.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near June Lake, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. It did rain here within an hour of the end of my walk. On June 17, 2016 March 2, 2019 By l2ik0 In Backpacking, Hiking, Journey to 59, Spring, Summer. Here’s what it was like. Wilderness permits almost never fill up. TL;DR. Awsome area of Yosemite that’s only 6.4mi from Tioga Road? Miles: 3.4 round trip; Elevation: 1,600 feet gain. Visiting Mammoth Lakes was an excellent segue from what we had done and what we were going to do on a road trip through Nevada and California. The trail climbs 1500 feet in about 2 miles to a beautiful mountain lake tucked just inside the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Big Sur’s Best Backpacking Trails. If you want to summit Carson Peak, the glorious peak you can see from the hydrotherapy pool, go to Fern Lake and take the east slope of Carson Peak up to the plateau. The trail climbs 1500 feet in about 2 miles to a beautiful mountain lake tucked just inside the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Turn in, drive over the small bridge, and park along the bordering logs. Alternatively to heading back to the Fern Lake trail head you can cross the log bridge and head to Yost Lake and Yost Meadows. To conclude your trip, simply return the way you came, heading north along the Fern Lake Trail. Turn left at the junction, avoiding the creek crossing, and wind down a set of two switchbacks before traversing a grassy, creekside forest for 0.1 mile on the way to your vehicle. To access the Fern / Yost Lake Trail from Hwy 395, follow the June Lake Loop (Hwy.158) through the community of June Lakes. If you’re looking to push yourself and have an authentic wilderness experience, this is the adventure for you! A shorter hike with decent elevation gain where we secured camping permits to stay overnight. Quick Info: Hiking to Fern Lake. It was awesome. The views from above are absolutely breathtaking. Please be sure to contact the local land management agency BEFORE you head out, as these conditions are likely to change without enough notice for us to fully stay on top of them. With hundreds of miles of hiking trails you can easily hike to Yosemite National Park or Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Park in a multi-night backpacking trip. At the trail junction, go left across Fern Creek toward Yost Lake. One of the June Lake Loop's standout hiking trails, the 3.8-mile (each way) trek to Yost Lake along Yost Creek climbs steadily up a wildflower-sprinkled High Sierra ridge. Those with a water filter who want to refill their supply may want to take the Yost Lake trail for 100 yards to a creek crossing. I hiked alone for some “me” time and I didn’t encounter another human being the entire time. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this is a nice hike to consider. Yost Creek - Fern Lake Trailhead for address, phone, website and other contact information Phone number 7606473044 .. Yosemite National Park. Walk north to the … Hike Flattop Mountain Trail for 0.8 miles, then the Fern-Odessa Lakes Trail for 3.9 miles to Fern Lake. Little overnight to Hilton Lakes, John Muir Wilderness, CA. The trail is short but steep reaching Yost Lake after only 2.7 miles and 1700' gain. Visited by 100K+ users in the freezing cold water to sooth your aching joints seeking a crowd-free campsite or a. A graphic designer and programmer, a graphic designer and programmer, a car enthusiast and! Interaction as you trek further into the hike to Fern Lake trail over... 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