7 min
Overview
About 2.5 miles southeast from the summit of Mt. Whitney (as the Clark’s nutcracker flies), a shimmering body of water fills an austere alpine basin beneath the stern gaze of colossal granite peaks. As hundreds of hiker huff and puff their way up the 99 Switchbacks after fighting a fierce battle with a convoluted permit system, a mere handful of people work their way up the challenging Meysan Lakes Trail. Sure, few of your friends will know what you’re talking about when you brag about bagging this trail (as opposed to Whitney), but your compensation is a generous helping of solitude and some gorgeous Sierran scenery. Several challenges add up to make this a demanding hike. First, the trail is an unrelenting uphill climb that becomes progressively steeper and less discernible until the trail peters out altogether. A rough, informal path marked with cairns leads the way from Camp Lake to Meysan Lake, which adds a bit of navigational responsibility. The trail follows a south-facing slope through the entirety of the route, and if you get a late start on a warm day, you are likely to have a very uncomfortable hike. All of this adds up to a hefty day of hiking or a rugged overnight, but if you’re up for the challenge you will earn yourself a memorable experience. Backpackers seeking to camp at any of the five lakes fed by Meysan Creek must obtain a backcountry permit from Inyo National Forest. Inyo’s thoroughly modern online system operates through Recreation.gov. Simply select the trailhead (Meysan Lakes), the dates you’re looking to camp, and purchase your permits. You will need to pick your permit up before your hike from the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center. Lone Pine Creek The Meysan Lakes Trail starts from a modest roadside parking area just east of the entrance to Whitney Portal Campground. Follow the gated access road downhill into the campground, and then head due south across the campground. Along the way, you will cross Lone Pine Creek and pass a junction with the Whitney Portal National Recreat
Trail Stats
18.3 km
1280 m
3540 m
2385 m
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