Virginia Lakes

Photos Maps Summary: This area is a great place to take in many of the great things about the eastern Sierras in a short day hike. Lofty peaks surround you throughout this hike as the trail climbs up to Summit Pass (Virginia Pass is northwest of Summit Lake). There are also many options for side-trails and continuations of a hike, including continuing on into Yosemite National Park.Distance: 5.8 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 1,350' totalSeason: June through OctoberFees & Permits: none for dayhikersFinding the Trailhead: 38.0479 N, 119.2634 W (Big Virginia Lake parking lot). From the US-395/CA-182 intersection in Bridgeport, follow US-395 south for ~12.7 miles and turn right onto Virginia Lakes Road. Follow this for ~6.1 miles to the end of the road at the trailhead parking lot. There is a backpackers parking lot a little ways before this. The Hike: Starting at Big Virginia Lake, the trail follows its northern shore with nice views of Black Mountain (11,797') to the SW and Mt Olsen (11,100') to the SE before climbing away from the lake towards Blue Lake. At ~0.35 miles the trail reaches one of the small ponds below Blue Lake and at ~0.5 miles the trail reaches Blue Lake. Now in the Hoover Wilderness, the trail follows the creek that connects most of the lakes seen during this hike and climbs above Blue Lake, where at ~1.0 miles from the trailhead it passes by an old miner's cabin to the left. Cooney Lake is another ~0.25 miles past the cabin and offers great views of Black Mountain reflected in its waters. The trail continues off the northern side of Cooney Lake and climbs up to a junction at the first Frog Lake ~1.45 miles from the trailhead. Here, turn north off of the main trail and follow the lake's eastern shore towards the northernmost Frog Lake for spectacular views (~0.15 miles from the junction) of the surrounding mountains to the south and west as well as a view towards Summit Pass. Back at the junction turn right and continue to the west by crossing the creek and then cross the outlet for the western Frog Lake (~1.6 miles from the trailhead). Here, again are incredible views of the peaks to the southwest.