Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes, California

5.0/5

based on 3 reviews

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

9.76 miles

Elevation Gain

2026 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Tyler Drake

With the fresh mountain air, old growth pines, and stunning lake views, this hike that takes you into the John Muir Wilderness simply cannot be missed. To get to the trailhead is a quick 10-15 minute drive from the Village in Mammoth Lakes.

Park at the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead. Begin your ascent through scrubby foliage and old pines. Once you arrive at a junction with a bench, turn around. Note that the uphill climb is pretty decent past Sherwin Lakes, so if you're feeling overly winded after the arriving at these lakes, this may be a good turn around point.

Alternatively, you can head up from the Valentine Lake Trailhead just down the road next to the Sherwin Creek Campground for an out-and-back or loop this hike with Sherwin Lakes. If you do choose to loop the hike, keep in mind that you'll have approximately 2 miles to walk along the road to reach your initial trailhead.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Hiking

Forest

Scenic

Wildlife

Reviews

Austin Galli Todd

Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail

08/19/20

I'm an avid backpacker and plan to come back to backpack to Valentine Lake in the future. I hiked to Sherwin Lakes twice, two separate days, as I was looking for a workout in the mornings. Just beautiful! Loved the trees and the trail is in excellent condition. The best part was getting great photos of Sherwin Lakes reflecting the mountain behind it at sunrise!

5.0

Austin Galli Todd

Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail

08/19/20

5.0

PRO

Kelly Drake

PRO

Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail

10/28/17

Really beautiful hike! It was a good challenge for me, because of the altitude (& a couple switchbacks near the lake). We spent the day at valentine, had sandwiches & caught a bunch of small brookies on a fly rod at the outlet. There was still snow on the mountains (& a little remained on the trail) in the spring, which made for great photos!

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Sherwin Lakes Trail

Just outside the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA is the Sherwin Lakes Trailhead. An easy 10 minute drive down some dirt roads will get you to the dirt parking lot where you can safely leave your vehicle and begin your fairly easy 2.5 mile hike to Sherwin Lakes. (Valentine Lake is not much further beyond Sherwin) The trail is very clear and easy to stay on. It is a fairly popular hike for the locals,...

Snowshoe Shady Rest Park

Shady Rest Park is located on Sawmill Road just minutes from the Mammoth Lakes town center. Start off by crossing through the parking lot headed north towards the large open field covered in snow. The open field is a great place to walk around and become comfortable with wearing and walking in snowshoes, and to test new gear if you've got it. For those that are feeling more adventurous, you can...

Lake Basin Path

Panorama Dome

This is a great short hike, located near the turn off for Twin Lakes. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with 360 degree views of the lakes basin, the town, Mammoth Mountain, and the White Mountains. There was a little snow left at the top, when we hiked it over Memorial Day weekend. Even if Lake Mary Road is closed off, this trail is accessible. You can take the lakes basin trolley, ...

Heart Lake

Starting by parking at the Goldwater Creek Campground parking lot, you will see a couple trailheads. This one is specifically marked Heart Lake. There will be a couple forks in the trail, but if you stay right and on the more obvious path, you will be up to Heart Lake in no time. (Going left will take you on a short half mile loop around some old mines.) Just over a mile on a fairly easy trail...

Skelton Lake Trail

The hike to Skelton Lake in Mammoth Lakes, CA starts off at the Duck Lake Pass trailhead just past Lake Mary. The hike starts off with quite a few switchbacks as you climb through the John Muir Wilderness. About one mile up the trail, you'll see an option to veer off to Arrowhead Lake. Continue on the Duck Lake Pass trail for another mile and you will reach the shore of Skelton Lake. Skelton ha...

Valentine Lake via Sherwin Lakes Trail

Details

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Sherwin Lakes Trail

Snowshoe Shady Rest Park

Lake Basin Path

Panorama Dome

Heart Lake

Skelton Lake Trail

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps