Lengths are round-trip unless noted. Start/High Point are approximate to the nearest ~50–100 ft. “Day hike?” is a practical recommendation, not a permit check.
Convict Lake Loopeasy
Length 2.5 mi loop
Gain ~170 ft
Start / High ~7,580' / ~7,750'
Day hike? Yes (family friendly)
Views: mirror-calm lake, sheer walls of Laurel/Morrison, strong fall color pockets along creek.
Mostly level path; a short rocky section on the east shoreline.
Convict Creek → Mildred Lakehard
Length ~9.8 mi
Gain ~2,300–2,600 ft
Start / High ~7,580' / ~9,750'
Day hike? Yes for fit hikers; popular overnight
Views: roaring creek, polished canyon slabs, turquoise Mildred, with options to Dorothy/Genevieve.
Steep, sun-exposed canyon; carry ample water.
Sherwin Lakesmoderate
Length ~4.3–4.5 mi
Gain ~850–1,000 ft
Start / High ~7,600' / ~8,300'
Day hike? Yes
Views: twin subalpine lakes, Mammoth/Long Valley vistas, excellent fall color on approach.
Hot/dry on sunny slope; limited shade early on.
Valentine Lakehard
Length ~8.9 mi
Gain ~2,200 ft
Start / High ~7,600' / ~9,600'
Day hike? Strong day; terrific overnight
Views: shaded forest, creek cascades, big granite cirque and quiet high lake; strong fall color.
Shares lower approach with Sherwin Lakes; wilderness permits required for overnight.
Sherwin Creek (Camp Loop)easy
Length ~2.3 mi loop
Gain ~150–250 ft
Start / High ~7,500' / ~7,700'
Day hike? Yes
Views: mellow creek corridor, pines, pockets of aspen; good leg-stretcher or family walk.
Multiple social spurs; expect some sandy stretches.
Horseshoe Lake Loopeasy
Length ~1.7–1.9 mi loop
Gain ~100–150 ft
Start / High ~9,100' / ~9,200'
Day hike? Yes (kid-friendly)
Views: wide sandy shores, lodgepole pine, Mammoth Crest skyline.
Safety: Observe posted CO2 tree-kill zone signs; avoid low spots in those areas.
McLeod Lakeeasy
Length ~1.7–1.8 mi
Gain ~300–350 ft
Start / High ~9,100' / ~9,450'
Day hike? Yes
Views: crystal-clear green water, sandy beachy shoreline, Crest backdrop; great quick outing.
Short, shared start with Mammoth Pass; sandy tread.
Mammoth Pass (via Horseshoe)moderate–hard
Length varies (eg. 7.9 mi loop via McLeod)
Gain up to ~2,100 ft (loop)
Start / High ~9,100' / ~9,700'+
Day hike? Yes (choose turnaround)
Views: red pumice, Crest panoramas; connectors toward Crater Meadow/Red Cones/Reds Meadow.
Great “build-your-own” distance; carry sun protection.
Lake George Loopeasy
Length ~1.5 mi loop
Gain ~100–200 ft
Start / High ~9,250' / ~9,400'
Day hike? Yes
Views: close-up of Crystal Crag, classic basin scenery; great golden hour.
Trailhead also accesses Crystal Lake, TJ/Barrett, and Mammoth Crest.
TJ Lakeeasy–moderate
Length ~1.5 mi
Gain ~300–350 ft
Start / High ~9,025' / ~9,300'
Day hike? Yes
Views: tucked, photogenic lake in lodgepole forest—shady and serene.
Short roots/steps; very popular in summer.
Barrett (Barret) Lakeeasy–moderate
Length ~1.1–1.5 mi
Gain ~250–300 ft
Start / High ~9,025' / ~9,300'
Day hike? Yes
Views: quick climb to a quiet bowl above Lake George; nice refuges for picnics/fishing.
Shares first stretch with TJ Lake; first 0.7 mi is steeper.
Crystal Lakemoderate
Length ~3.0–3.2 mi
Gain ~800–840 ft
Start / High ~9,000' / ~9,700'
Day hike? Yes
Views: switchbacking balcony over Lake George & Mary; striking teal water under Crystal Crag.
Some rock steps and narrow tread; big views the whole way.
Mammoth Crest (via Lake George)moderate–hard
Length ~4.5–5.0 mi
Gain ~1,300–1,500 ft
Start / High ~8,900' / ~10,300'+
Day hike? Yes (fantastic viewpoint)
Views: sweeping skyline—Ritter/ Banner, Minarets, entire Lakes Basin; photogenic red pumice.
Exposed near the crest; start early on warm days.
Emerald Lakeeasy–moderate
Length ~1.5–1.7 mi
Gain ~370–450 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~9,500'
Day hike? Yes
Views: lively creek, wildflowers in season, deep-green lake under the Crest; strong fall color nearby.
Good add-on to Sky Meadows or as a family hike on cooler days.
Sky Meadows (via Emerald & Gentian)moderate
Length ~3.4–4.0 mi
Gain ~900–1,000 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~10,000'+
Day hike? Yes
Views: cascades, lush Gentian Meadow, broad alpine meadow at ~10k’ with peaks all around.
Continue past Emerald; great summer wildflowers, golden aspen nearby in fall.
Arrowhead Lake (Duck Pass TH)moderate
Length ~1.6–2.0 mi
Gain ~500–600 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~9,700–9,800'
Day hike? Yes
Views: granite shores, short waterfalls in season, clear water—nice picnic/swim spot.
Left fork at ~1.3 mi from Duck Pass TH.
Skelton Lake (Duck Pass TH)moderate
Length ~3.4–3.6 mi
Gain ~820–860 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~9,900–9,950'
Day hike? Yes
Views: classic Sierra lake ringed by granite & pines; photogenic in early/late light.
A step up from Arrowhead; continue to Barney for bigger scenery.
Barney Lake (Duck Pass TH)moderate
Length ~5.0 mi
Gain ~1,150–1,200 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~10,210'
Day hike? Yes
Views: big cirque lake at timberline; great granite walls and meadows.
Duck Pass climbs above Barney—continue for Duck Lake vistas.
Duck Pass & Duck Lakehard
Length ~8–10+ mi (to Duck/Pika)
Gain ~1,900–2,200 ft
Start / High ~9,120' / ~10,700–10,800'
Day hike? Yes for fit hikers
Views: chain of lakes (Arrowhead–Skelton–Barney), airy pass, huge blue Duck Lake; classic High Sierra.
Popular backpack; expect altitude. Permit required for overnight.
Red Lake (spur from Duck Pass trail)off-trail spur
Length short, unsigned spur
Gain minimal from main trail
High Point ~10,200'
Day hike? Yes (as a side trip)
Views: quiet red-talus bowl near Barney Lake; good solitude.
Use path/scramble; not a signed official trail—bring a map/GPS.
Lost Lake (Lake Mary area)easy
Length ~0.5–1.2 mi (varies)
Gain ~<150 ft
Start / High ~8,900' / ~9,000'
Day hike? Yes
Views: marshy inlets, glassy reflections, aspens—nice quick stop off Lake Mary Road.
Mostly informal/social paths; routes vary—respect habitat and posted signs.