Wilderness Areas of the Sierra Nevada Plus Inyo and White Mountains Ansel Adams Boundary Peak Carson Iceberg Desolation Dinkey Lakes Domeland Granite Chief Emigrant Golden Trout Inyo Mountains Inyo National Forest Jennie Lakes John Muir Kaiser Kings Canyon Mokelumne Monarch Sequoia National Park Mt. Shasta South Sierra Yosemite National Park

Inyo National Forest

Duck Lake Trail

From Hwy. 395, take the Mammoth Lakes exit, Hwy. 203, and drive through town to the Lake Mary road. Turn left on Road 4S09 to Lake Mary, continue around the lake to Coldwater Campground. Drive through the campground to the trailhead parking lot.

Begin this strenuous hike at the trailhead sign for Duck Pass, reaching the John Muir Wilderness soon after. Climb steadily through a forest of pines on a dusty, aromatic trail. ( This is a popular trail with packers and stock animals ). Pass a spur trail leading down to Arrowhead Lake after about 1 mile. Continue climbing to reach Skeleton Lake, a popular day hike destination, at 1 ½ miles.

Wander up through a meadow, passing little Red Lake at 2 ½ miles. Cross the creek and pass Barney Lake shortly after. There are a few good campsites in the trees. The ascent kicks in from here on a rocky trail that switchbacks up to the pass at 4 miles. Continue over the pass to reach the very large and beautiful Duck Lake ½ mile further.

Continue on to reach a junction with the John Muir Trail at 5 ½ miles. The trail to the right heads north towards Reds Meadow. The left fork heads south toward Purple Lake and Lake Virginia.

John Muir Wilderness - Topo Ansel Adams Wilderness - Topo Mammoth High Country - 15 minute - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute

	Elevation	Miles
Trailhead	9,140
Arrowhead Lake	9,700	1.0
Skeleton Lake	9,950	1.5
Barney Lake	10,200	2.5
Duck Pass	10,780	3.3
Duck Lake	10,450	3.7
Purple Lake	9,925	7.5
Lake Virgnia	10,340	9.0

Maps