Best Backpacking in Mono County
Looking for the best backpacking in Mono County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mono County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the incredible Outbound community.
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...
Camp at 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 c...
Backpack the Lyell Loop
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 cli...
31 miles
5600 ft gain
Backpack over Koip Peak Pass
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 mile...
19 miles
2500 ft gain
John Muir Trail: Camping at Thousand Island Lake
This is one of the most recogizable lakes on the John Muir Trail and is known for being one of Ansel Adams' favorite places to photograph. Banner and Ritter Peaks tower over the tree covered islands and make for incredible scenery. This is a good ...
4-Day Backpack Trip to Thousand Island Lake
Start from Agnew Meadows about 7 miles away. You can take the High Trail out as part of the River Trail with a long detour passing by several other scenic lakes, including Shadow Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ruby Lake. You will arrive at Thousand Island...
Backpack to Ediza Lake
Start at the Agnew Meadows Trailhead. You will need to arrive before 7:30AM or take the Shuttle from Mammoth Mountain.Start out by heading north on the John Muir Trail. You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain...
13.4 miles
1200 ft gain
Backpack Ansel Adams' Banner Lake
Banner Lake is one of the premier stops along the Pacific Crest Trail. However, even if you don't have time for an entire thru-hike (like most of us), this beautiful lake is still easily accessible as an overnight trip! While there are many poss...
15.6 miles
1307 ft gain
Backpack to Cecile Lake
Located in the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Cecile Lake can be reached from a variety of trailheads. I chose to start out in Agnew Meadows. From here, the trail criss-crosses through a serene lowland environment with several crystal clea...
16 miles
1904 ft gain
Climb Mount Ritter
Mt Ritter is a long climb, but it is worth the effort. Start out by establishing camp at Ediza Lake prior to your ascent. The SE Glacier route (first ascent by John Muir) follows the path of least resistance up the SE side of Mt Ritter.The route f...
Backpack to Waugh Lake
There are several trailheads you can start at to get to the lake, but we chose the River Trail in Agnew Meadows because it was the only trailhead that hadn't met the quota yet. You can check on permit's and trailheads here. If the River Trail is b...
11 miles
1000 ft gain
Backpack the Shadows of the Minarets Loop
Ansel Adams Wilderness is located in Mammoth Lakes, California. The trail to Lake Ediza is frequently traveled and is usually completed as an out-and-back day hike. In the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the trail head is inaccessible to cars. To...
16 miles
