Crowley Lake, California

Looking for the best backpacking in Crowley Lake? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Crowley Lake. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Crowley Lake

  • Bishop, California

    Climb Columbine Peak's NE Ridge

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions This Bishop Pass Trail starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head the rest ...
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  • Bishop, California

    Backpack into the Palisades from Bishop Pass

    18 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Drive up to the trailhead near South Lake from the town of Bishop (you can get directions at the Ranger Station when you get a permit). The hike goes from approximately 9,000 ft. to 13,000 ft. over the course of 9 miles.The first approximately 6 miles are on trail to the top of Bishop Pass. From ...
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  • Bishop, California

    Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail

    52.67 mi / 9173 ft gain
    Bishop Pass Trail to John Muir Trail to Piute Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Bishop, California.
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  • Bishop, California

    Treasure Lakes Trail

    5.0
    5.79 mi / 1375 ft gain
    The Treasure Lakes Trail is dog and kid friendly, just make sure all parties can handle the elevation gain. The scenery throughout the entire hike is amazing, and early in the summer, the creeks roar. The lake is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. The trail is best used in the summer an...
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  • Bishop, California

    Evolution Basin via South Lake

    35.66 mi / 7769 ft gain
    It’s been called the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada, the highlight of the entire 211-mile John Muir Trail. Whatever superlatives are used to describe it, Evolution Basin is undoubtedly one of the most incredible landscapes you’ll ever explore. There is a small catch, though: There is no easy ...
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  • Lakeshore, California

    Hike to George Lake

    9.2 mi / 1050 ft gain
    The hike to George Lake starts out about 4 miles after you turn off 168 onto Kaiser Pass Rd. You'll want to park at the parking lot right before Badger Flat Campground. The parking lot is easy to notice and it is located on the right hand side of the road, two pit toilets and bear lockers are loc...
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  • Lee Vining, California

    Hike to Upper Sardine Lake

    Directions (from south of June Lake): 395 northTurn right onto the 158Keep right at fork onto Parker Lake Rd and go about 0.5 milesTurn right at first right and head all the way to the top until you hit a parking lot/camping ground/trail head From North of June Lake: 395 southTurn left at 158Keep...
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  • Big Pine, California

    Fourth Lake via Big Pine Creek North Fork Trail

    4.0
    12.6 mi / 3205 ft gain
    From Big Pine, you'll turn onto Crocker St. to head towards the mountains. Once you are about 11 miles down the road you will see a sign and a turnoff on the right for trailhead parking. That is where you are going to want to park if you are staying overnight but you can continue to where the roa...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Lyell Loop

    35.88 mi / 5541 ft gain
    Start the hike at the Mono pass trail. You'll eventually take the fork towards Parker Pass a couple miles in. We tackled the trail in late spring, and it quickly became clear that there was still enough snow to make our lives difficult. As we climbed out of the Parker drainage, the trail essenti...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Mono Pass to Silver Lake Trailhead via Koip Peak Pass

    20.25 mi / 3606 ft gain
    This trip begins in Yosemite National Park and can be completed as an out-and-back or by hiking one-way to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and exiting at Silver Lake on the east side of the mountains. Start at the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead, a few miles past Tuolumne Meadows. Don't forget to make a pe...
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  • Lee Vining, California

    Junction Campground, Mono County

    Junction campground is by far one of my favorite campsites when I am visiting the High Sierra and Tuolumne Meadows. The only downside is, you can only camp certain months; usually from June through October when highway 120 is open.  The Junction campground is far away from the crowds of Yosemite...
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  • Madera County, California

    Backpack to Lower Merced Pass Lake

    4.0
    23 mi / 880 ft gain
    LMPL (let's be honest, the full name is a mouthful) is situated just below the crest of Merced Pass, and can be accessed by hiking south from Yosemite Valley, or north from Chiquito Pass. This is a stunning and much less crowded spot to camp, or a great way to access some of the less climbed moun...
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  • 37.876736,-119.346085

    Glen Aulin

    4.8
    12.19 mi / 1532 ft gain
    Start your hike to this waterfall oasis in the heart of the sierra at the parking lot for the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp sits along the beautifully winding Tuolumne River. White Cascade an 80ft waterfall sits at the edge of camp and provides an excellent swim...
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  • Wawona, California

    Waterwheel Falls

    17.34 mi / 2520 ft gain
    Waterwheel Falls may be the most unique waterfall in Yosemite. During high waterflow an extraordinary phenomenon appears as the raging water hits a series of ledges creating a plume, this coupled with strong gust blowing upward create cyclical "waterwheel" effect hence the name. On a good day th...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Mt. Conness

    5.0
    19.03 mi / 5243 ft gain
    This trip is best done as a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip making camp at Young Lakes, however it is possible to do it in a single day long haul. Start at the Lembert Dome Parking Lot and take the trail via the Dog Lake route towards Young Lakes. It's about 7 miles to the upper of the three You...
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  • Wawona, California

    Young Lakes

    4.7
    14.14 mi / 2710 ft gain
    The Young Lakes trail starts from the Lembert Dome parking area and then winds up around 6 miles into the high country past alpine meadows and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Lower and Middle Young Lakes are beautiful, but you're going to want to push on to Upper Young Lake, where y...
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