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Duck Pass to Duck Lake

Inyo National Forest · Mono · Managed by Inyo National Forest (USFS)
Difficulty 28/100 · Moderateout and back#alpine-lakes#beginner-friendly#mammoth-lakes#fishing
Distance
9.5 mi
Total gain
3,210 ft
Net gain
1,011 ft
Net loss
1,011 ft
Elevation
9,177–10,768 ft
Days
2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Duck Lake is the easiest true backpacking destination in the Mammoth Lakes area: a 4.75-mile climb past Arrowhead and Barney Lakes and over Duck Pass to a broad alpine lake on the John Muir Wilderness boundary. At just over 10,700 feet, the lake feels remote while sitting less than half a day's walk from a trailhead with espresso five minutes away.

Highlights

  • A scenic chain of lakes — Arrowhead, Barney, Duck — each a reasonable day from the car
  • Duck Pass views across the Mammoth crest to the Minarets
  • Easy side trips to Pika Lake and the John Muir Trail
  • Sunrise reflections on Duck Lake's east shore

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Duck Pass Trailhead (Coldwater Campground) (9,177 ft · parking: Coldwater Campground day-use parking near Lake Mary, Mammoth Lakes)
  • Water: Arrowhead Lake, Barney Lake, and Duck Lake along the route; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Mammoth Lakes has full services minutes from the trailhead.
  • Shuttle: Not needed for an out-and-back.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Inyo National Forest (USFS)
  • Reserve or apply on recreation.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for Duck Pass applies during quota season.
  • Reservation window: 60% of quota released six months out, 40% two weeks out, at 7 a.m. PT.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed in existing rings unless current Inyo NF fire restrictions are in effect; wood is scarce at Duck Lake — most visitors cook on stoves. A California Campfire Permit is required for stoves and fires. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: July, August, September.

Snow: Typically snow-free by early July; the pass itself holds snow in heavy years.

Heat: Pleasant; trailhead afternoons can reach the 80s in August.

Bugs: Mosquitoes at Duck Lake through July.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Permits are quota'd in summer — reserve early
  • Mosquitoes can be heavy at the lakes through July
  • Bear canisters are required; food-storage rules are enforced
  • The last pitch to the pass is sun-baked granite; carry water

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 19070497 (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) (ODbL 1.0).

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Inyo National Forest - Wilderness Permits. Recreation.gov / U.S. Forest Service. https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233262. Accessed 2026-09-07. Year-round permit requirement, quota release schedule, and food-storage rules.
  2. Inyo National Forest alerts and fire restrictions. U.S. Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/inyo/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions-effect. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Current Stage 1 fire restrictions affecting campfires and stoves.
  3. Duck Pass Trail route relation 19070497. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/19070497. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: ODbL 1.0. Route geometry; distance and elevation statistics computed from this track.
  4. SRTM90 elevation data. OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-07. Elevation enrichment for computed gain/loss statistics.