Gem Lakes

Hiked: 7/5/2025
Distance: 9 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 10945' (Gem Lakes)
Elevation Gain: 1355'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.0
Round trip time: 4 hours
Recommended water: 48 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Mosquito Flat trailhead (Little Lakes Valley)
Difficulty: Moderate

We drove south from Mammoth to Little Lakes Valley trailhead. We arrived around 9:00 AM and the regular parking lot was full. There was some overflow parking a little way back, also full. We had to park at a lot 0.7 miles from the trailhead. Most of the two lane road in between was signed as No Roadside Parking. Some visitors were ignoring the signs, so bold as to park right under the signs. We hoofed the extra bit and started on the very nice trail. We never went more 500' without passing other parties either coming or going. A popular hike on a holiday weekend led to much crowding. Dogs and horses were also welcome on the trial, but fewer people had their dogs compared to the Duck Lake trail, and we saw no horse droppings but no horses. The valley was dotted with numerous small lakes. The first one was Mack Lake, where another trail split toward Mono Pass. Then we walked the banks of Heart Lake and Box Lake. All were picturesque with Mount Starr forming the western valley wall. Soon, we reached Long Lake and took a short break there. Past Long Lake, we took the side trail to Chicken Foot Lake, which is larger than it looks because of its unusual shape. Finally, we reached Gem Lakes under the towering peaks of Bear Creek Spire, Mount Dade, and Mount Abbot. Small fish were swimming in the shallows. The trail continued up to Morgan Pass and Morgan Lakes, but we turned around and headed back. This beautiful area can be reached without much vertical which probably contributes to its popularity.

Leisa and I at Heart Lake

Box Lake

Long Lake

Chickenfoot Lake

Gem Lakes

Cars mocking the no parking sign

Pika Lake via Duck Pass

Hiked: 7/4/2025
Distance: 10.3 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 10811' (Duck Pass)
Elevation Gain: 2278'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.8
Round trip time: 5 hour 40 minutes
Recommended water: 64 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Duck Pass trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate

Leisa and I headed to Mammoth Lakes, camping at Coldwater Campground south of Lake Mary. From our tent, we hiked to the Duck Pass trailhead and got on our way. Our destination was Pika Lake, but we would pass many other lakes on the way. The trails were wide, sandy, and well groomed. Dogs were allowed on the crowded trail, and half of the parties included one or more dog. They were all friendly and happy to be out exploring with their humans. First up was Arrowhead Lake. There was short side trail to reach it, but we decided to continue and view it from higher elevation. We hiked by the shores of Skelton Lake where some people were fishing. Next came Barney Lake, another large lake with more fisherman. After Barney Lake, we followed switchbacks heading up to Duck Pass. Most of the elevation gain was up to Duck Pass at 10811'. From the pass, the views back down the valley were dramatic. We also got a great view of Duck Lake, the largest by far. We could also see part of Pika Lake, just south of Duck Lake. We picked up the Pika Lake trail there and dropped 300' to the shores of Duck Lake. The trail wound around Duck Lake and ended at the north shore of Pika Lake. The surrounding mountains showcased veins of snow in their deep, north facing gullies. It was serene and quiet at Pika Lake and we had it to ourselves. After a lunch break, we headed back the same way.

Skelton Lake

Barney Lake

Barney Lake

Duck Lake

Duck Lake

Pika Lake

Brush Mountain

Hiked: 6/27/2025
Distance: 3.7 miles round trip cross country
Summit Elevation: 7048'
Elevation Gain: 1000'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.8
Round trip time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on San Emigdio Road
Difficulty: Easy

On the way back from San Emigdio, I parked at the intersection of 9N34 and 22W12 Blue Ridge OHV. I considered driving to Brush Mountain (HPS #115) in the Tacoma, but thought it had done more than enough work already. It took a couple of tries to park and an angle that left both roads open. About a mile down the road, I ran into some rough sections that made me glad I didn't try to drive it. The road rolled up and down, eventually leading to the remote Marian Campground. There was no one there. Not knowing any better, I started a cross country trek toward Brush Mountain. It was mostly open country, but I found the road again near the summit. The road on the right was the one to take when leaving Marian Campground. Brush at least had a good view of Pinos, Sawmill, and Grouse. I followed the road partially on the way back and got a nice angle on Eagle Rest Peak. I completed six HPS peaks on this trip:

1. Frazier Mountain
2. Tecuya Peak
3. Cerro Noroestre
4. Grouse Mountain
5. San Emigdio Mountain
6. Brush Mountain

My total stats for the day: 11.5 miles, 3385' gain.
Tacoma total stats for the day: 327 miles, 13726' gain.

Parked at the OHV split

Road didn't look bad at start, but got rougher

Unnecessary, but easy cross country

Pinos, Sawmill, and Grouse

Eagle Rest Peak

San Emigdio Mountain

Hiked: 6/27/2025
Distance: 0.3 miles round trip cross country
Summit Elevation: 7492'
Elevation Gain: 60'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0
Round trip time: 20 minutes
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on San Emigdio Road
Difficulty: Easy

To reach San Emigdio (HPS #97), I drove up Forest Road 9N34. The dirt road was in pretty good shape, but had a few deep ruts. I parked just below the summit of San Emigdio. I passed one truck on the road that was loaded with short logs. The driver was hard at work on some downed trees with a chainsaw. He looked like a private citizen not working in an official capacity. The hike was on a faint use trail to a rather plain flat summit. I'm not sure why I bothered taking my pack but I did. There was a pair of red register cans, but no marks found. Another summit with limited views due to trees. Peak five was done for the day. On to Brush Mountain.

Cerro Noroestre and Grouse Mountain

Hiked: 6/27/2025
Distance: 5 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 8291' (Noroestre), 8593' (Grouse)
Elevation Gain: 1650'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.3
Round trip time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on Cerro Noroestre Road
Difficulty: Easy

Continuing east on Cuddy Valley Road, I took the paved Cerro Noroestre (HPS #61) Road and parked just outside the Campo Alto campground. Then, it was a about a 300' walk to a small rise in the forest that was the high point. No register or marks. I dropped down the south slope to catch the single track Mount Pinos trail to Grouse Mountain (HPS #45). The trail was in great shape and descended about 600' to a saddle between Cerro Noroestre and Grouse. I couldn't see the summit of Grouse along the trail since it wasn't on the visible part of the ridge. It was a pleasant walk up through pine forests before intersecting the trail running to Sawmill. A side trail continued up to the Grouse summit, which was just the highest point on the trail as far as I could tell. A couple of small boulder piles made up the summit. No register or marks that I could find. This was another summit with no open views due to large surrounding trees. I took a longer break on Grouse after completing the fourth peak of the day. It was about 11 AM and I had time to press on before facing the soul crusing traffic back through LA. Next up was San Emigdio.

Parking for Cerro Noroestre

Cerro Noroestre high point

This young bird was upside down in distress, but righted itself without assistance.

Grouse Mountain

Grouse summit

Tecuya Mountain

Hiked: 6/27/2025
Distance: 2.5 miles round trip on dirt road
Summit Elevation: 7160'
Prominence: 1240'
Elevation Gain: 675'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.5
Round trip time: 1 hour
Recommended water: 16 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on Forest Road 9N21
Difficulty: Easy

After coming down from Frazier, I drove east on Cuddy Valley Road to Forest Road 9N21, Scott Russell Road. Another dirt road with minor ruts and rocks. I drove up to a clearing on the ridge adjacent to Tecuya Mountain (HPS #110). I hiked the road to a saddle between the ridges, startling a couple of deer. At this point, the road turned into a difficult and steep OHV road. There was a turnout there and it should be safe driving that far. I don't think I could have driven the last part of the road. Tecuya was at the end of the ridge. The high point seemed to be in the middle of an open area. It had the best views of the day with a clear 270 degree arc. I returned the same way. Two peaks down for the day. On deck, Cerro Noroestre.

Doe, a deer, a female deer

Tecuya from the saddle

Frazier Mountain from the summit

The adjacent ridge where I parked