Lake Helen Falls

Location

Lake Helen Falls: 38.0006 N, 119.2953 W

USGS Topo: Dunderberg Peak

Directions

The trailhead for the Lundy Canyon to 20 Lakes Basin hike (hike description to come) is located at the western end of Lundy Lake Road (~6.5 miles west of the intersection with US-395). The Lundy Lake Road is located ~7.4 miles north of the US-395/CA-120 (Tioga Pass Rd) intersection in Lee Vining. At the trailhead there is a loop with parking available on the side of the road. The trail begins heading west and shortly (~1/4 mile) comes to a pond, where the trail continues to the right. The northeastern shore of Lake Helen is reached (after passing Lundy Canyon Falls) ~2.7 miles from the trailhead and a view of this waterfall is reached just west of Lake Helen, ~2.9 miles from the trailhead. An alternate trailhead would be the end of the Saddlebag Lake Road at the southern shore of Saddlebag Lake (~2.5 miles north of CA-120). The trail skirts the eastern shore of Saddlebag Lake until it comes to a junction off of the northwestern shore (~2.1 miles from the Saddlebag Lake trailhead). Or you could follow the trail on the western shore of Saddlebag Lake and reach this junction after ~1.6 miles. Turning north here, Lundy Pass is reached after a further ~0.7 miles and the northeastern shore of Lake Helen is reached ~3.6 miles from the Saddlebag Lake trailhead. Turning left here, follow the directions as stated above.