North Fork, California
North Fork, California, a top spot for outdoor adventures, offers some of the best trails and outdoor activities. One must-visit is the Willow Creek Trail, known for its scenic beauty. This moderate-difficulty trail boasts a variety of natural features, including lush forests, a sparkling creek, and unique rock formations. Another highlight is the Mammoth Pool, a pristine lake perfect for fishing and boating. Near North Fork, the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is a must-see. This driving route offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing ample opportunities for photography. Whether you're a hiker, angler, or simply appreciate the great outdoors, North Fork has something for you.
Top Spots in and near North Fork
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Hume, California
General Grant Tree Trail
4.80.57 mi / 171 ft gainThe trailhead starts at the back of the parking area, a sign will direct you. This short yet beautiful walk will lead you past amazing sights. Starting counter clockwise you will quickly pass the Fallen Monarch. Feel free to walk inside this massive fallen tree. As you continue you soon reach...Read more -
Mono County, California
Fishing at Convict Lake
4.3Many people come to Convict lake for the fishing. Convict is located only 2 miles off the main highway in the Eastern Sierras. The lake is clear and pristine with beautiful views. There are various ways to fish here; some rent out boats or bring their own and cruise around the lake fishing. O...Read more -
Mono County, California
Summit Mount Baldwin (12,614')
15 mi / 5000 ft gainDirections The hike for Mount Baldwin starts at the Convict Lake trailhead. The turn off for Convict lake is about 4.5 miles south of the Mammoth Lakes exit along the 395 and roughly 35 miles North of Bishop, CA. Take this exit and follow the road West towards the mountains. Turn right at the ...Read more -
Bishop, California
Morgan Pass via Little Lakes Trailhead
5.011.07 mi / 1685.26 ft gainTake the 395 North for 20 miles past Bishop and make a left on Rock Creek Road. Follow this road for 10 miles until you reach the free parking area at the Mosquito Flats Trailhead. Even on a holiday weekend, finding parking wasn’t a problem. The trailhead offers easy access to bathrooms and bear ...Read more -
Bishop, California
Little Lakes Valley Trail
5.03.43 mi / 465.22 ft gainThe Little Lakes Valley located in the John Muir Wilderness provides easy access to spectacular views of High Sierra peaks as well as a long list of beautiful alpine lakes. The area is accessed via the Mono Pass Trail starting from Mosquito Flat/Little Lakes Trailhead. From the trailhead at the...Read more -
Bishop, California
Fish for a Sierra Grand Slam in Little Lakes
Access to this relatively mellow (for the Sierras) trail can be reached via Rock Creek Road off of Highway 395, north of the town of Bishop, California. Following Rock Creek road southwest until its terminus will take you directly to the parking lot and signed trailhead for Little Lakes Valley.Fr...Read more -
Bishop, California
Backpack to Ruby Lake
5.04 mi / 1000 ft gainAt 10,200 feet, the trailhead (Little Lakes Valley) for Ruby Lake is one of the highest (if not the highest) in the Sierra. Meaning you get right to the heart of the mountains quickly. Ruby Lake itself is at 11,200 feet elevation.How to get there: At Tom's Place off of Hwy 395, turn southwest int...Read more -
Hume, California
Hume Lake Loop
2.72.8 mi / 223 ft gainThis spot is less than four hours from the Bay Area and offers everything you would ever want to do in the outdoors. The interesting thing about Hume Lake is that it is actually a Middle School and High School camp in the Summer and Winter. That being said, it is not the place to go if you are lo...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Lower Cathedral Lake
5.0Make the .75 miles detour off of the John Muir Trail to reach this spot and you won't regret it. Lower Cathedral Lake is typically less populated than nearby Upper Lake and has some of the mot beautiful scenery on the JMT. Sunrise and sunset with the reflection of Cathedral Peak on the glassy wat...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Convict Lake Loop
4.92.46 mi / 56 ft gainIn 1871, a group of inmates escaped from a prison and were ambushed near the lake by a posse who had tracked them down. The inmates escaped the shoot out after killing two of the men in the posse and the lake now had a name – Convict Lake. You won’t witness a wild west shootout here, but if you ...Read more -
Mono County, California
Gem Lake via Rush Creek
5.06.91 mi / 2313 ft gainThis hike starts next to Silver Lake in the June Lake Loop, located just north of Mammoth Lakes, CA off HWY 395. There is a parking lot near the RV park as well as street parking across the road from the trailhead. Once you head out on the hike, you'll start gaining elevation as you hike up tow...Read more -
June Lake, California
Agnew Lake via Rush Creek Trail
4.05.11 mi / 1590.55 ft gainJune Lake never ceases to amaze. In just about any weather, this particular portion of the 395 is something to be experienced in its entirety. If you are dedicating a day or two to explore the June Lake loop, then a trek to Agnew Lake is the perfect hike to throw into the plans. It is not extrem...Read more -
Hume, California
Camp at Sunset Campground in Kings Canyon National Park
Sunset Campground is minutes away from the King's Canyon National Park entrance. There are a total of 150 sites (2 group campsites) at this campground which can be reserved here. There are several bathroom, water faucets and even an amphitheater. Each campsite comes with a bear locker, picnic tab...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
10 Lakes Basin in Yosemite
5.013.38 mi / 3035 ft gainBeginning at the Ten Lakes trailhead, the trail to the lakes is a moderately strenuous uphill grind to Ten Lakes pass, followed by a quick downhill into the lake basin. We met a woman at the top who made sure we didn’t miss the short side trail to a vista point on the pass that offered a sweeping...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Grant Lake via Ten Lakes Trailhead
4.012.24 mi / 2641 ft gainThe trail begins at the Ten Lakes trailhead (7600 ft) right beside Yosemite Creek. The first 4 miles start you on the ascent through the wooded forest, however there are portions of the trail that will take you through granite rock valleys marked with only cairns so keep your eyes peeled througho...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Red Slate Mountain via McGee Creek
18.99 mi / 5440.73 ft gainI would recommend you spend the night in the area to acclimatize, since the trailhead does start at ~8,000ft and you will be hiking up to ~10,500ft at the end of the first day and climbing up to 13,100ft on the second day. One option would be to reserve a spot at the nearby McGee Creek Campground...Read more
