Little Lakes Valley & Mono Pass in Eastern High Sierra - Rock Creek, CA

 

October 19, 2016

Trailhead: Mosquito Flat/10,200 ft
Morgan Pass: 7 miles RT; highest point/11,100 ft
Mono Pass: 7 miles RT; highest point/11,920 ft; Summit Lake/12,040 ft (?)

Amazing hike!  Hike along a series of alpine lakes and craggy peaks of High Sierra. Little Lakes Valley and Mono Pass (or Morgan Pass) via Rock Creek is a must do hike if you want to see breathtaking vistas of lakes and mountains. This is an easy to moderate/advance hike depending on which route you may choose....Morgan Pass or Mono Pass. 

Morgan Pass Trail:  Hike 0.5 miles to the junction and go to the left for 3 miles to Morgan Pass at 11,100'. You travel along a series of beautiful alpine lakes.

Mono Pass Trail:  Travel 0.5 miles to the junction and take the Mono Pass Trail to the right. Trail climbs above Little Lakes Valley in switchbacks. Trail climbs up to the right and leads to the pass at 3 miles (11,920').  You can continue on the route and reach Summit Lake (12,040'). Ruby Lake is seen down below to the left on the way up to the pass. It's a good side trip to the lake if you have enough time and energy.  Enjoy breathtaking vistas of Mt.Abbott, Petit Grifon and Mt. Mills looming over Ruby Lake.

Summit Lake - Mt. Rainier, WA

This is a really pleasant hike climbing in a moderate grade and the pristine alpine lake is just within 2.5 miles reach. If you follow the trail all the way to the end/Summit Lake Peak passing the lake, which can be achieved in a short extra mile distance, the reward is a "Wow" moment of the breathtaking view of Summit Lake and the majestic Mt. Rainier! The trail runs mostly through the forest, so the heat wave was not an issue when I hiked today. 

The trail is in good shape and offers a variety of terrains....switchbacks, meadows, lakes, bridges/creek crossing (very dry!), rocky trail. Sadly wild flowers are already fading along this trail, however.....it's too early to see that happening due to the abnormally warm and dry weather. I'd love to go back and hike again to see fall colors after the summer....boy, the views will be gorgeous, I can imagine. 

The forest road to the trailhead is very rough with pot holes and big rocks sticking out here and there, but passable with low clearance vehicles. Just take your time driving slow and carefully....my little sedan could make it, but dust!