Lundy Canyon & 20 Lakes Basin

<-Tallant Lakes

Relay Peak->

The Hike: The hike begins by heading west through an aspen grove before coming up to a pond (~0.25 miles) with a view of Lower Mill Creek Falls and the peaks on the western end of the canyon. Continuing up the trail, you climb above the waterfall (~0.75 miles) and cross the creek where there are views of Burrow Lake Falls to the north and Dore Cliff Falls & South Lundy Canyon Falls to the southwest. Next, the trail passes by a beaver pond before crossing a creek just below East Lundy Canyon Falls (~0.9 miles) and climbing up near the brink of another waterfall along Mill Creek. After this, the trail passes into another tree stand where you cross Mill Creek and come upon the remains of an old log cabin. Continuing to the southwest the trail weaves its way in an out of tree stands before it comes to a junction with a short side-trail (~0.1 miles one-way) to the side of Mill Creek at the bottom of Middle Mill Creek Falls (~1.7 miles). After passing through the last stand of trees, the trail really begins to gain elevation along the rocky, talus slopes. At ~2.2 miles from the trailhead begins the very steep switchbacks up towards the 20 Lakes Basin. At ~2.4 miles the trail comes very close to Mill Creek where there is a phenomenal view of the middle section of Lundy Canyon Falls. Before this, there are great views of West Lundy Canyon Falls as well. About 2.7 miles from the trailhead, the trail reaches Upper Lundy Canyon Falls where we ran into quite a bit of snow in late-July, 2010, and had to walk over big drifts to continue. At ~2.95 miles the trail reaches Helen Lake in the 20 Lakes Basin with outstanding views of North Peak & Mt Conness (borders of Yosemite). We turned right where Mill Creek leaves Lake Helen to head towards Shamrock (~3.55 miles) & Steelhead (~3.95 miles) Lakes. Along the way are more outstanding mountains views and a view of Lake Helen Falls. Also, along this section is where the worst of the mosquitoes were and where we lost the trail several times (maps show our route, not necessarily where the trail is). Back on the trail we continued on the eastern side of Steelhead Lake where there is a view of Steelhead Lake Falls toward the southern end of the lake (you can follow another side-trail to the top of this waterfall) and if you turn around a view of Hess Falls. At ~4.75 miles from the trailhead the trail reaches the northern end of Wasco Lake. At ~5.7 miles, just after passing the northern end of Greenstone Lake, the trail intersects with the trail coming from the boat dock on Saddlebag Lake (alternate trailhead for the 20 Lakes Basin). At ~5.8 miles from the trailhead the trail intersects the Lundy Pass trail. Turning left here, the trail reaches the southwestern end of Odell Lake just on the other side of the pass after another ~0.85 miles. The trail intersects with the trail from Lundy Canyon at the outlet of Lake Helen ~1.5 miles from the start of the Lundy Pass trail. From here, follow the Lundy Canyon trail back down into the canyon and to the trailhead (~2.95 more miles).