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

Valentine Lake Trail

Turn off Hwy. 395 at the Mammoth Lakes Junction, Hwy. 203. Drive through the town of Mammoth Lakes, turning left on Old Mammoth Road, and left on Sherwin Creek Road. Turn right at the sign for Sherwin Lakes Trailhead. Trailhead parking is ½ mile further.

Begin walking at the sign for Sherwin Lakes, crossing the creek shortly after. Labor up a set of long, sandy switchbacks amidst a forest of pines. The trail will level at 2 miles. Reach a side trail to Sherwin Lakes at 2 ½ miles. Continue with the main trail for Valentine Lake.

Cross a creek at 3 miles, and begin a short climb to yet another section of level walking before the trail begins climbing again beside the creek, wildflowers abound here. Cross a creek at 4 ½ miles, continuing the ascent to reach a small, marshy pond at 5 miles. One last set of switchbacks up a rocky hillside leads to the edge of Valentine Lake at 6 miles.

This large Sierra lake is a beauty, nestled into the surrounding peaks. Even though this may seem like a long hike, the switchbacks are well graded, with enough level walking to give your lungs a rest.

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

	Elevation	Miles
Trailhead	7,800
Valentine Lake	9,700	6.0

Maps