June Lake Trail Map · Hikes
Parker Lake
Short, easy and pretty, a deep lake under the Sierra crest. Best in October.
Map by Bill Tipton, made for the Yosemite Gateway Chalet. For planning: carry a real map and check conditions before you go.
Past the first steep pitch, the trail levels out beside Parker Creek through meadow and aspen and ends at a deep lake under the walls of the Sierra crest. The best first day at altitude on the Loop, and spectacular in October. Parker Lake has its own fishing rules, and on the way down, stop and turn around for the view back to Mono Lake. Everybody forgets to.
- Round trip
- About 4 miles
- Climb
- About 550 ft
- Fishing
- All year, artificial lures, 14-inch minimum, 2 fish
Nearby on the map
- Parker BenchThe high sagebrush shoulder above Silver Lake, off the Parker Lake trail.
- Parker Lake TrailheadA dirt road off 158 past Grant Lake. The start for Parker Lake and Parker Bench.
- Bloody Canyon and Mono PassThe old route over the crest, from Walker Lake up past the Sardine Lakes to Mono Pass.
- Grant LakeThe big reservoir at the north end. Swims in summer, big browns in spring and fall.