Parker Lake Hike: June Lake, California
The Eastern Sierra Nevada area of California is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States – and some of the best hiking trails in California. The Parker Lake hiking trail is located along the June Lake Loop in the Eastern Sierra Nevada and offers hikers some gorgeous mountain scenery for not a whole lot of effort.
Details:
Trailhead:
You’re going to have to put in Parker Lake Trailhead into Google Maps to find it. It’s down a dirt road right off of the June Lake Loop.
The dirt road leading to the trailhead can be in questionable conditions. One year when we attempted this, the dirt road was extremely rutted and washed out, with large puddles (more like lakes) everywhere. We didn’t want to get stuck so we didn’t proceed. The next year, the road was dried out but bumpy, so we were able to make it. Both attempts were in early July.
Trail length: 3.6 miles round trip – out and back
Time commitment: About 2 hours
What to bring: Sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera!
Dogs are allowed
No permits needed
Hiking to Parker Lake
The Parker Lake hike starts off with a bang. From the parking lot until about 0.8 miles, you’ll be going straight uphill. This part of the Parker Lake trail is completely exposed, so you’ll want to be wearing sunscreen and a hat. This is the toughest part of the hike, so grin and bear through it.
RELATED: After your hike, treat yourself to Mono Cone! Read my review here!
Past this, the trail levels out. You’ll go through a shaded forest that runs alongside a creek. Keep following the trail until you hit the lake.
Parker Lake itself is a crystal clear gem of a lake with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains standing tall. Trust me, you’ll take about a million pictures here!
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Parker Lake is stunning!
After you’ve relaxed at Parker Lake, time to head back. Luckily, it’s all downhill from here. Once you get out of the woods, you’ll get a beautiful view of Mono Lake from the trail.
The Parker Lake hiking trail was not crowded – we hiked this on the most popular summer weekend – Fourth of July – and didn’t reach the trailhead until 11 am.
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Parker Lake Hike – Pros and Cons
Pros:
Relatively easy trail
Stunning scenery
Cons:
Road conditions to the trailhead are poor – potholes, mud pits, ruts. Best to take a 4×4/SUV to the trailhead if you can, though I saw sedans in the parking lot.
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