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Hiking the Little Lakes / Rock Creek Basin

Eastern Sierra • Inyo NF • John Muir Wilderness

High-elevation lakes Granite peaks Family-friendly options Classic fall color drive

Little Lakes Valley (Mosquito Flats Trailhead)

Start at Mosquito Flats (end of Rock Creek Rd). The Little Lakes Valley trail gently threads a chain of alpine lakes with constant views of Mt. Abbot, Mt. Dade, Bear Creek Spire, Mt. Mills, Pyramid Peak, and Mt. Starr. Side trails reach Chickenfoot Lake, Gem Lakes, and the higher Morgan Pass. The Mono Pass trail branches off early for a steep, scenic climb to Ruby Lake and beyond.

Trailhead elevation: ~10,200–10,300 ft (very high) Best day hike: 4–8 miles RT (choose your lake) Difficulty: Easy → Moderate (altitude amplifies effort) Parking now fills by ~8:30 AM (see details below)

Pro tip: Arrive early or go midweek/shoulder season. Overflow parking sits 0.25–0.5 mi down the road; the approach road is one-lane near the end.

Parking & Trailhead Access — Rock Creek / Little Lakes Valley

Real-world crowding notes for Mosquito Flats (Little Lakes), Hilton Lakes, and the lower Rock Creek corridor.

Mosquito Flats (Little Lakes Valley)

Fill time (summer): commonly by ~8:30 AM on fair-weather weekends.
Overflow: Park at lower pullouts/picnic areas; add 0.25–0.5 mi walk up the road.
E-bike strategy: Park lower (e.g., Rock Creek Lake), ride your e-bike on the paved road to the trailhead, and lock it there to skip the road walk.
When to go: Many hikers now avoid midsummer crowds and target late fall (after school resumes).

Reminder: Keep e-bikes on paved Rock Creek Rd; do not ride on non-motorized dirt trails unless specifically posted open to e-bikes.

Hilton Lakes Trailhead (Rock Creek Rd)

Fill time (summer): often by ~10:00 AM.
Plan B: Arrive early or go midweek; consider shoulder-season weekends.
Character: Quieter than Little Lakes in fall but increasingly popular overall.

Beat the Rush

Arrive pre-7:30 AM on weekends/holidays.
Hike Mon–Thu when possible.
Target late Sept–Oct for lighter crowds (weather-permitting).

Choose Smart Turnarounds

Little Lakes Valley: Long Lake or Chickenfoot to outpace the early crowd.
Mono Pass Trail: Ruby Lake is a quick “big-view” option.

Backup Ideas

Explore Trail 2906 along Rock Creek from the Sno-Park.
Try the drier Kenneth/Dorothy/Francis/Buck lake trails.

TL;DR: Mosquito Flats now fills by ~8:30 AM; Hilton by ~10:00 AM. Park lower and walk 0.25–0.5 mi, or use an e-bike shuttle on the road. Many hikers shift to late-fall visits.

Little Lakes Valley — Lakes in Order (North → South)

1) Mack Lake

~0.5 mi from trailhead • Shallow swale just below the trail

Elevation: ~10,354 ft
Views: First peek at the basin; meadows and creek braids.
Good day-hike?: Yes — easy family turnaround.
Notes: Trail crests a small hill; Mack can be partly hidden from the path.

2) Marsh Lake

~1.0 mi • Broad reflections, marshy inlets

Elevation: ~10,426 ft
Views: Mirror-calm mornings with peak backdrops.
Good day-hike?: Yes — easy family favorite.

3) Heart Lake

~1.3 mi • Right on the main trail

Elevation: ~10,436 ft
Views: Sandy shelves for wading; big granite cirque to the south.
Good day-hike?: Yes — very popular (expect company).

4) Box Lake

~1.6 mi • Trail traverses above the western shore

Elevation: ~10,492 ft
Views: Classic views of Pyramid Peak, Bear Creek Spire, and Mt. Dade from overlooks.

5) Long Lake

~2.1 mi • Photogenic shoreline traverse (~0.4 mi)

Elevation: ~10,557–10,560 ft
Views: Abbot & Bear Creek Spire dominate the skyline; meadows and outlet stream crossings.
Good day-hike?: Excellent family goal (≈4.2 mi RT, gentle grades).

6) Chickenfoot Lake

Leave main trail at signed junction (~2.75 mi); spur ~0.5–0.7 mi from far end of Long Lake

Elevation: ~10,790 ft
Views: Granite peninsulas, big-sky cirque; good backpacking camps with permits.
Good day-hike?: Yes — moderate due to altitude and final sandy climb.

End of main valley trail: Morgan Pass (≈3.7 mi one-way, ~11,110 ft). Beyond, the path drops toward the Morgan Lakes and eventually Pine Creek.

Key Side Trails

Mono Pass & Ruby Lake: Branch right at ~0.5 mi from Mosquito Flats; steep, scenic climb. Ruby Lake sits ≈2.0–2.1 mi from TH; Mono Pass tops out around ~12,060 ft (≈7.0 mi RT to the pass).
Gem Lakes: From ~3.4 mi, branch SW to a cluster of turquoise lakes framed by Dade & Abbot; lovely lunch spot.
Chickenfoot Spur: Signed junction around ~2.75 mi; short sandy climb to granite coves and fewer day-hikers.

Mosquito Flats Trailhead — Quick Facts

Elevation: ~10,200–10,300 ft (acclimate, hydrate).
Amenities: Restrooms, bear boxes, signage; road narrows to 1-lane near the top.
Parking: Summer fill by ~8:30 AM. Overflow adds 0.25–0.5 mi road walk.
E-bike option: Park lower (e.g., Rock Creek Lake) and road-ride to the trailhead; lock bike at TH (no e-bikes on non-motorized dirt unless posted).

Hilton Lakes Trail (Rock Creek Rd)

A drier, more open alternative to Little Lakes Valley: the Hilton Lakes basin rolls over lodgepole and whitebark forest, then drops into a chain of lakes (Davis Lake / Hilton #1–#8). Trailhead parking sits between Rock Creek Lake and the pack station along Rock Creek Rd. Trail is very sandy in spots which can be a energy drain to walk on.

At-a-Glance

Trailhead elevation: ~9,850–9,866 ft
Common day goal: Davis / Hilton #1 or #2 (≈4.5–6 mi RT; notable descent into basin going in)
Backpacking: Numerous lakes and meadows; popular for overnights

Difficulty & Character

Rating: Moderate → Strenuous if visiting multiple lakes (altitude + rolling terrain)
Vibe: Quieter than Little Lakes in fall; increasingly popular in summer
Parking: Often full by ~10:00 AM in summer

Highlights

Open ridges, granite benches, broad lake basins; excellent sunsets
Check current fishing regs before you go

Trail 2906 — Upper Rock Creek Canyon (Sno-Park → Rock Creek Lake)

Also shown as Upper Rock Creek Canyon Trail, this creek-side path parallels Rock Creek, begins near the Rock Creek Sno-Park / East Fork Campground area, and ends at the south end of Rock Creek Lake (connect to lakeside paths or continue toward the Tamarack Lakes network). Expect bridges, riparian meadows, and fall color pockets. Trail popular with fishermen.

Length: ~4–6 mi one-way depending on start (easy–moderate) Trail No.: 2906 Sno-Park (winter access) at Rock Creek Rd off US-395

Drier East-Side Options: Kenneth • Dorothy • Francis • Buck Lakes

From Rock Creek Lake (east side), the Tamarack Lakes trail network branches over sunnier, dustier slopes to lakes including Dorothy, Francis, Buck, and more. Expect a steeper start, fewer streams (carry water), and wide-open granite/talus country with big views. These shallow lakes can be dry in drought years.

Trailheads: East side of Rock Creek Lake (~9,600–9,700 ft) and Pine Grove CG spur
Examples: Francis Lake via Sand Canyon (≈5 mi RT, moderate); Buck & Tamarack loop ~9–10 mi
Character: Drier, more sun-exposed; great granite benches and backdrops; strong fall color pockets near creek corridors

Ruby Lake & Mono Pass (from Mosquito Flats)

For a quick “big-mountain” punch, take the Mono Pass Trail right at ~0.5 mi. Ruby Lake is a classic alpine bowl about 2.0–2.1 mi from the trailhead; Mono Pass rises to around 12,060 ft on a ~7 mi RT outing. Views sweep over the Mono Recesses and Pioneer Basin—steep, rocky, treeless, sustained, and spectacular. Note: Ruby Lake can be buggy depending on the time of year.

When to Go — Fall Color

Rock Creek is one of the Eastern Sierra’s most reliable fall color drives. High-elevation groves around Rock Creek Lake tend to turn early (often late Sept–early Oct), with the color wave cascading down Rock Creek Rd into mid-October.

Photographers: Calm early mornings along Marsh, Heart, and Long Lakes deliver glassy reflections; expect windier afternoons and quick moving mountain showers.

Classic Views You’ll Get

Alpine lakes chained by meadows & streams
13k-ft granite peaks tiered above glacial cirques
Aspen corridors along Rock Creek Road (great color)

Logistics & Safety

Altitude: Many hikes start near or above 10,000 ft. Acclimate, hydrate, and bring layers for sudden wind/rain.
Permits: Day hikes no permit required; overnights require Inyo NF wilderness permits.
Fishing: Popular throughout Rock Creek & the lakes; check current regulations.
Tom’s Place: Food, small store, lodging at the US-395 / Rock Creek Rd junction — a perfect meetup or post-hike stop.

Notes & Sources

Lake elevations are from USGS-derived topo resources and may vary slightly by datum and map edition: Mack (~10,354′), Marsh (~10,426′), Heart (~10,436′), Box (~10,492′), Long (~10,557–10,560′), Chickenfoot (~10,790′). Trail distances, junctions, and Morgan Pass stats follow USFS signage and standard hiking references.

Trail data source: USFS. CCCarto takes no responsibility for accuracy; use as reference only. Obey all posted trail, wilderness, and e-bike rules (e-bikes on paved roads only unless signed open).

Mammoth Lakes Trails - All hiking trails in the Mammoth Lakes Region.

Lower Rock Creek MTB Trail - Lower Rock Creek Mountain Bike Trail.