parker lake trail

This is my favorite hike out of the June Lake Loop. Parker Lake is a popular hiking destination in this region, and it's not hard to see why! It is a relatively short easy hike that arrives at a pristine alpine lake in the back-country surrounded by towering peaks. It’s about a two mile hike to Parker Lake with a 600 ft. elevation gain with Parker Lake siting at 8,300 ft. elevation. You can cut that hike down to 0.6 miles if you have a capable 4 wheel vehicle and take the rough 4 wheel drive road on your left from the main road, but most folks take the nice graded dirt road to the Parker Lake Trailhead.A well maintain trail starts out in a desert like sandy sagebrush setting that follows Parker Creek as it meanders up through a mix of Jeffrey pines and Aspen trees to Parker Lake. After about two miles, you’ll reach the lake. Parker Lake is mostly lined by a conifer forest. It's a very pretty lake and worth the effort to hike there. Many hikers bring their fishing rods to this lake, as it has some large Browns and Brookies that occupy its waters. I always had the best luck fishing using natural looking flies used in most back-country lakes that I fish. Others may just enjoy the views, the surrounding forest, and the view of the lake. Bring a picnic lunch with you to maximum your time here.On the hike back, check out the nice views of Mono Lake just before you get to the Trailhead parking lot.

If you are looking for a moderate hike with great views ending at an alpine lake, this is your trail! It is fabulous. We have three kids and had just arrived to the high elevation, so we didn't want anything too strenuous. That said, there is about 500-600 feet of elevation gain and you're at 8,000 ft so it's nothing to sneeze (or wheeze) at either. All the (relatively) hard work is at the beginning and then it's smooth, flat sailing. The views in front and behind you are phenomenal. There are no scary drop-offs. You are rewarded with an alpine lake view and if you go when we did, incredible fall colors. This is a must-do if you're in the area.(No bathrooms, water or amenities of any kind so come prepared. Wide dirt road leads to ample parking lot. Good signage.)

This hike off the June Lake loop is the most accessible hike into this part of the Sierras. For a fairly minimal elevation gain, you can hike along the creek to Parker Lake. Be sure to look back at Mono Lake when you are stopped to catch your breath. The lake and its headwall are beautiful, and you can watch fishermen and beggar mallard ducks in the lake.

We have enjoyed doing the easy hike from June Lake Loop. Start of the trail is just a bit east of Grant Lake area of June Lake Loop. The hike starts in the desert area and soon you are seeing beautiful mountain areas on your way to Parker Lake. The mountains are 12,00 ft. peaks Parker Lake is often a day hike so we have taken along picnic lunches to enjoy plus our fishing polesYou can also do a longer hike from the pack station area of June Lake Loop - this is by Silver Lake and if you go this route you also get breathtaking views of Mono, Grant, and Silver Lakes.