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

Mcgee Creek Trail

Thirty-two miles north of Bishop, or eight miles south of Mammoth Lakes, turn west at the McGee Creek exit. Drive 4 miles to the roads end.

Begin walking on an old jeep trail, which has been reverted to it's primitive state. The trail ascends easily through sage to a creek crossing at 1 mile. Climb steadily through an Aspen grove before the trail levels at McGee Creek. Early season crossings can be tricky, a boulder-hop up stream may be easier.

Continue climbing up the canyon through a forest of Lodgepole Pines to reach a meadow at 3 miles. More climbing leads to a junction at 4 ½ miles. The left branch goes to Grass Lake and Steelhead Lake. Climb a set of short steep switchbacks to Grass Lake, and more steep switchbacks to reach Steelhead Lake.

The right branch leads to Big McGee Lake, Little McGee Lake, and McGee Pass. Pass several small unnamed lakes, before steep switchbacks head south over a forested, rocky slope. Pass by beautiful meadows before the trail switchbacks up to Big McGee Lake. This is a beautiful spot, framed by mountain ridges and lined with Lodgepole and Whitebark Pines. Leave the trees behind as you head toward Little McGee Lake. Climb on to reach the pass at 9 miles, Tully Lake is 3 miles further on the other side of the pass.

	Elevation	Miles
Trailhead	8,000
Steelhead Lake	10,350	5.5
Big McGee Lake	10,480	7.0
Mcgee Pass	11,900	9.0
Tully Lake	10,400	11.5

Maps - John Muir Wildernes - Topo Mono Divide High Country - 15 minute - Topo Mt. Tom - 15 minute quad - Topo Mt. Tom - 7.5 minute quad - Topo Inyo National Forest - 60 minute