Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski

Duck Pass Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 5.0 (20)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Mammoth Lakes
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“One of the most beautiful trails in all of the Inyo National Forest. ”

Tom Robson
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

5.7

Miles

9.2

KM

Point to Point

10,756' 3,278 m

High

9,137' 2,785 m

Low

1,676' 511 m

Up

682' 208 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

Description

Climbing over Duck Pass to join the John Muir Trail, the Duck Pass Trail starts on a forested hillside behind Coldwater Campground and goes past Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney Lakes before going over Duck Pass. A side trail to Emerald Lake offers an alternate route to Skelton Lake. Common destinations beyond Duck Pass include Duck Lake, with an intense, deep-blue color, and nearby Purple Lake.

A true gem of the John Muir Wilderness, Duck Pass Trail is a must-do and won't be forgotten for a long time.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Inyo National Forest Office

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 20 votes

#1

in Mammoth Lakes

#142

Overall
  5.0 from 20 votes
5 Star
95%
4 Star
5%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Mammoth Lakes

#12

in California

#142

Overall
20 Views Last Month
10,741 Since Aug 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
24%
24%
53%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Duck Lake and Pika Lake viewed from the top of Duck Pass.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The Duck Pass Trail climbs up the valley from the trailhead at Coldwater Campground.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Duck Lake in the afternoon light.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Mammoth Mountain, Barney Lake, and Skelton Lake from Duck Pass Trail
Sep 16, 2017 near Mammoth…, CA
Duck Lake on a fall afternoon.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The crystal clear blue Duck Lake.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 7, 2022
BK Hope
Jul 12, 2021
Ricardo Chapa
Aug 17, 2020
jeff v
Aug 9, 2020
Robert David
Aug 9, 2020
Brandon Hanna
Jul 25, 2020
Austin Morales
arrow head lake 1.1mi
Jul 24, 2020
Kathy Hightower
10h 00m
Jul 10, 2020
Ron A

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started