Meysan Lake is an easily accessible hiking destination in the Inyo National Forest near the popular Whitney Portal. This overlooked trail receives much less traffic than the Whitney Portal, however, making it relatively easy to find complete solitude. Hikers will find a well-maintained, challenging trail that constantly rewards with superb views.
The trail begins in the Whitney Portal Campground located just below Whitney Portal, the first campground available for visitors in this area. Hidden inside the campground is the trailhead that also leads to Lone Pine Peak. You can park in the campground if you will be staying overnight; otherwise, park your car on the side of the road just outside the campground.
The trail quickly climbs away from the campground's noise, and the view is immediately stunning with Lone Pine peak looming to the southeast. After 4 miles you will come across Grass lake, and less than a mile further you will reach Camp Lake (which is also a perfect place to camp!). There is plenty of running water here. The trail ends at Camp Lake, so you will have to do a little bit of route finding to reach Meysan Lake. The easiest strategy is to aim for the shorter ridge in the front of jagged peaks. Stay as far left as possible to avoid to being cliffed out or finding yourself on the wrong set of boulders. Scramble southeast for another half a mile and you will arrive at this gorgeous lake surrounded by jagged peaks.
Spend as much time here as possible, or swim if you like (the water is very cold). If you have plenty of time, the lake is also a great place to fish since it is one of the three lakes that are filled with brook trout. To return, follow the same route you used to hike in.
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