Little Lakes Valley
Photos MapsSummary: This is an incredibly beautiful hike and one of the top hikes that we've done in the Sierra so far. Among the many lakes that this trail visits there are vistas of 13,000'+ peaks virtually the whole way. Named peaks seen along this hike include Bear Creek Spire (13,713'), Mt Dade (13,600'), Mt Abbott (13,715'), Mt Starr (12,835'), and Mt Morgan South (13,748'). The Mosquito Flat Trailhead is the highest elevation trailhead in the Sierra Nevada (~10,250').Distance: 7.75 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 970' totalSeason: Late June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for day use. Wilderness permit required for overnighters. Campfires are prohibited.Finding the Trailhead: 37.4350 N, 118.7473 W (Mosquito Flat Trailhead). Head south on Rock Creek Road from US-395 just east of Lake Crowley at Toms Place. Follow the road for ~10.4 miles to the trailhead parking area (at ~9.2 miles the road narrows). The trailhead is off the southern side of the parking area. Overflow parking is available off the side of the road a little ways before the main parking area. Be sure to arrive early at the trailhead during the summer because this is a very popular trail.
The Hike: Starting from the trailhead you head southwest along Rock Creek. After ~0.45 miles you reach the junction with the trail leading up towards Mono Pass to the right (just W of Mack Lake). Staying left, you crest a small hill (picture to the right) north of Marsh Lake before descending towards a junction (~0.9 miles) with a side-trail which leads to the northern shore of Marsh Lake. After ~1.15 miles from the trailhead the trail comes upon the western shore of Heart Lake after crossing over the creek coming from Ruby Lake on a small footbridge. At ~1.8 miles from the trailhead the trail hovers over the western shore of Box Lake. Shortly after this the trail crosses over Rock Creek (on rocks, ~2.0 miles). Immediately after crossing the creek there were some Baby Elephant's Head (see pictures page). At ~2.2 miles from the trailhead the trail reaches the northern shore of Long Lake (our favorite lake of the ones visited on this hike). Hugging the eastern shore of Long Lake the trail continues south until you leave the lake, start climbing, and reach the junction with the Chickenfoot Lake trail at ~2.9 miles from the trailhead (on your left, not the easiest junction to notice). Taking this side-trail you can reach the western shore of Chickenfoot Lake at the inlet after a further ~0.3 miles (many different trails going in different directions west of the lake). The views from where the inlet creek meets Chickenfoot Lake were our favorite of this hike (see top picture). There are also some nice views from the western shore a little ways to the north (picture to the left). Once you pull yourself away from this setting (there were also some Magenta Paintbrush here) you head south and reconnect with the main trail (~0.2 more miles) before heading further south. After climbing a little the trail crosses over the creek coming from the Gem Lakes. At ~3.8 miles total the trail reaches the junction with the trail to the Gem Lakes (if you stay on the main trail you will reach Morgan Pass after a further ~0.4 miles). Turning right onto the Gem Lakes trail (this section of the map is less accurate) you pass by the first few Gem Lakes before reaching the largest and southernmost Gem Lake at ~4.0 miles total. If you cross the outlet creek as it leaves the largest Gem Lake you can explore the northern parts of this lake as well as the southern end of the second Gem Lake. From the outlet for the largest Gem Lake the trailhead is ~3.9 miles away (includes ~0.2 miles total side-trail to Marsh Lake's north shore).
