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A great short hike under Red Mountain to Heart Lake. Large Aspen Trees and Pines.


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Map Key

1.5

Miles

2.4

KM

Point to Point

9,578' 2,919 m

High

9,092' 2,771 m

Low

498' 152 m

Up

30' 9 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

23%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

From the parking area, the trail climbs up a gradual grade to reach Heart Lake in about a mile.

If you are determined, you can make your way around the lake by following an on-again-off-again trail that somewhat follows the shoreline. The trail is eroding into the lake on the east side, it can be hard to follow around the south side, and there are a few braids to choose from along the west side.

Runners are probably best served by treating this as a simple 2-mile out-and-back (or up-and-down) run to the lake and back, skipping the circumnavigation of the lake. Ultimately, you don’t need to go around the lake to take in its beauty.

When you finish, take a small detour to walk through the Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine interpretive site near the parking area. The partially restored site contains the original mining offices, assay office, mill, bunkhouses, schoolhouse, mining equipment and mine shafts that were in operation from 1927 to 1933.

Contacts

Shared By:

Hiking Project Staff with improvements by Adam Hodges

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 3 votes

#14

in Mammoth Lakes

#23709

Overall
  3.7 from 3 votes
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Trail Rankings

#14

in Mammoth Lakes

#2,369

in California

#23,709

Overall
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1,698 Since Sep 1, 2015
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Photos

Mammoth Mountain and the Minarets viewed from the Heart Lake Trail.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Mammoth Mountain viewed from the Heart Lake Trail.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Remnants of the Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine found near the start of the Heart Lake Trail.
Oct 16, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The backside of Heart Lake
Sep 1, 2015 near Mammoth…, CA
Panorama of Heart Lake, Red Mountain in the background.
Sep 1, 2015 near Mammoth…, CA
The trail to a canopy of pine and aspen trees.
Sep 1, 2015 near Mammoth…, CA
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