Elevation Gain
25.00 ft (7.62 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
0.80 mi (1.29 km)
Warming hut
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Twin Lakes Loop is a short and easy snowshoe route in the Mammoth Lakes area that is suitable for beginning snowshoers, as well as families just looking to get out and find a spot in the snow to play.

Beginning on a footbridge that crosses between the Twin Lakes, the path tends to stick to the edge of the uppermost of the lakes. There are no signs, but it is easy to see where the lake edges up against the base of the adjacent mountain. (This is also the bottom of the backcountry Hole In The Wall ski slope, where daring skiers can shoot through a tunnel in the mountain before descending to Twin Lakes)

Views of peaks and enveloping mountains abound. About halfway around the lake you'll encounter groomed trails belonging to Tamarack Lodge's trail network. Snowshoers and cross-country skiers must pay a fee (ranging from $5-$29 as of 2017) to use these trails, so stick to off-groomed trail terrain.

In under a mile the lakeshore loops around and returns to the Tamarack Lodge parking area. Easy backcountry terrain can be explored across the lakeshore from the parking area. 

Restaurant and amenities are located at Tamarack Lodge.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Easy terrain.

Cons

Navigating around private trails.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Trailhead Elevation

8,521.00 ft (2,597.20 m)

Features

Big vistas
Cross-country skiing

Typically multi-day

No

Groomed trail

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California
Eastern Sierra + White Mountains Area, California

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.