How To Hike McLeod Lake Trail In Mammoth Lakes

Quick Trail Highlights

Here are a few quick McLeod Lake Trail highlights before I go into more details:

• Length: 1.8 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: Around 347 feet
• Time Needed: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dogs allowed?: Yes, this trail is very dog-friendly

About McLeod Lake Trail

McLeod Lake Trail is a scenic 1-mile long wilderness hike that leads through a forest and ends at a small mountain lake. You can extend this hike by another .8 miles by taking a loop that goes around the entire lake (which I highly recommend you do!).

The McLeod Lake Trail is easy and only gains around 350 feet in elevation through a steady climb to the alpine lake. It travels along a narrow forest path with some rocky sections so good hiking shoes with grip are highly recommended.

This is not a technical hike so it is doable for most people and kids. But this trail is located at 9300 feet in elevation so you might feel slightly winded from the altitude. If you do, take frequent breaks, drink lots of water, and go slowly.

For wilderness trips, I always use the AllTrails hiking app to track my route and distance. This is a pretty straightforward trail, but without a map, even easy trails can get confusing.

Map Of McLeod Lake Trail from AllTrails:

On hot days, McLeod Lake is a great place to jump in for a refreshing alpine swim. Swimming is allowed at Mammoth Lakes, but the higher you go, the colder the water might be.

For those who are interested in fishing at McLeod Lake, there are a few rules to keep in mind:

• You can catch & release only. All trout must be returned to the lake unharmed
• Only artificial lures are allowed
• Flies with barbless hooks can be used
• Baits or scented products are not allowed

McLeod Lake is also a very dog-friendly trail. I hiked this trail with my pup Quito and he had the best time! Here’s a couple of things that I bring along for outdoor trips with my dog:

• Collapsible dog bowl. A collapsible dog bowl is essential for hiking, camping, and road-tripping with a dog. This bowl collapses small and is lightweight so you can throw it in a backpack and easily carry it everywhere.
• RUFFWEAR dog boots. I always keep these in my backpack in case the sand gets too hot for his paws in the summer or the trail has very sharp rocks.
• 2 Hounds No Pull Harness. I love this harness because it comes with multiple clip-on points providing more comfort for my dog and extra control for me when hiking.
• Biodegradable poop bags. Dog waste can be harmful to wild animals and nature. It’s always good practice to bring extra poop bags and carry dog waste out on day hikes. These poop bags are also biodegradable – even better for Earth!

Trail Location & Parking

McLeod Lake Trail starts by Horseshoe Lake within Inyo National Forest. There is a large paved parking lot that can be used by visitors and wilderness hikers.

This parking lot has many spots available so parking here doesn’t seem to be an issue. I hiked this trail in the evening and only some of the spots were taken.

Once you park, make your way to the west end of the parking lot where you will see a sign for ‘McLeod Lake’.  

Nearby you will also find large signs covering information about Horseshoe Lake, wilderness practices, and trail maps.

Google Map Location: Lakes Basin Path / Horseshoe Lake Trailhead

My Experience Hiking McLeod Lake Trail

Here is the detailed breakdown of the McLeod Lake hike covering what the trail is like and highlighting some of the main stops.

After arriving at Horseshoe Lake, I found parking near the McLeod Lake Trailhead. If you have extra time to hike Horseshoe Lake Trail as well, it is an interesting stop on its own.

The McLeod Lake hike starts in a region full of fallen, dead trees. Due to earthquakes high amounts of CO2 can be found in this area causing the trees to die.

It can also be dangerous for humans and dogs to spend a lot of time in areas with high CO2 levels. It can lead to headaches and flu-like symptoms so don’t linger in this area too long.

Once you head into the McLeod Lake Trail, you will soon start climbing in elevation where the wilderness returns to a healthy pine forest.

The trail to McLeod Lake is only 0.5 miles long each way. Although the hike does feel a bit strenuous due to the 350-foot elevation gain, I arrived at the lake very quickly. I got to the lake near sunset and most people were heading out, as I was coming up.

Despite being such an easily accessible trail, it wasn’t very crowded. The entire hike felt very serene and peaceful.

If you come up here on a hot, sunny day – bring your bathing suit so you can jump in for a refreshing swim.

McLeod Lake has crystal-clear water with a bright blue tone to it. There is a shallow sandy shoreline with some rocks, fallen tree roots, and boulders.

To get different views of the lake, I recommend taking the 0.8-mile-long loop that goes around the entire lake. Along this loop, you’ll get to enjoy views of the jagged snow-covered mountain peaks that surround this lake.

After taking in the views, you can head back the same way that you came. If you plan to stay until sundown, just make sure to bring along a headlamp for the way back.

What To Bring For The Hike

Here are a few things that I recommend bringing for the hike to make it more enjoyable:

• Bring bug repellant. The lakes in Mammoth attract tons of mosquitos and they are very persistent. I even saw people turn around and exit some trails because the bugs were too much to handle.
• Use trekking poles. Overall, this is not a technical trail but some sections are steep so trekking poles can help.
• Carry plenty of water. I always carry several bottles of water, even on short day hikes. Our California summers are just getting hotter and hotter so bring plenty of water. If don’t want to carry heavy water bottles, you can also bring a Sawyer water filter and get freshly filtered water from the alpine lakes in Mammoth.
• Pack mineral sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and a hiking hat to help with the sun. It’s easy to get sunburned on elevation hikes, even on trails that pass through a forest like this one.
• I always bring a first aid kit, and a portable phone charger, even on quick day hikes. It’s always best to go prepared!

Camping In Mammoth Lakes

If you plan to camp in Mammoth Lakes overnight, there are a few campgrounds in this area. Some of the most popular ones are:

• Coldwater Campground
• Lake Mary Campground
• Twin Lakes Campground

During my trip, I stayed in my campervan by the Duck Lake Pass Trailhead next to the Coldwater Campground. The Duck Lake Pass Trailhead parking lot is flat, decent in size, and has a restroom with running water.

If you’d rather book a hotel, these 10 best hotels in Mammoth Lakes will ensure you’ll have a cozy and comfortable experience!

McLeod Lake Trail is a short wilderness hike in Mammoth that leads to a scenic alpine lake. Have you hiked this trail before? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more things to do in the area? Here are a few other awesome hikes in Inyo National Forest that you may like:

• 7 Incredible Day Hikes In Mammoth Lakes
• Hiking Skelton Lake Trail In Mammoth Lakes
• Convict Lake Hike In Inyo National Forest
• Crystal Lake Trail In Inyo National Forest
• Hiking Heart Lake Trail In Mammoth

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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