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Little Lakes Valley

Inyo National Forest · Inyo · Managed by Inyo National Forest (USFS)
Difficulty 20/100 · Moderateout and back#alpine-lakes#beginner-friendly#fishing#eastern-sierra
Distance
6.4 mi
Total gain
1,242 ft
Net gain
616 ft
Net loss
616 ft
Elevation
10,305–10,898 ft
Days
1–2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

Little Lakes Valley is a chain of emerald lakes threaded beneath the 13,000-foot granite spires of Bear Creek Spire and Mount Morgan, reached by one of the highest trailheads in California. The trail gains barely 600 feet in 3.2 miles, making it a gentle overnight — or the perfect warm-up for Rock Creek's bigger passes.

Highlights

  • A valley-floor stroll beneath some of the finest granite spires in the range
  • Backpacking to Long Lake or Chickenfoot Lake with negligible climbing
  • Fishing in nearly every lake along the way
  • Rock Creek Road reaches 10,300 feet, cutting the approach to nothing

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Mosquito Flat Trailhead (10,305 ft · parking: End of Rock Creek Road, west of Tom's Place)
  • Water: Streams and lakes the entire way; treat all water.
  • Resupply: None; Tom's Place and Bishop are short drives down Rock Creek Road.
  • 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 Mosquito Flat 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 in this alpine valley; 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: The valley floor melts out by late June; Rock Creek Road closes in winter.

Heat: Cool; highs rarely leave the 70s.

Bugs: Mosquitoes are intense at the lakes in July — head nets are worth carrying.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • The trailhead is at 10,305 feet — altitude hits quickly if you drive from sea level
  • Mosquitoes in July are the valley's defining feature; go in August or September if they bother you
  • Bear canisters are required
  • Permits are quota'd in summer despite the easy grade

Map

Route track shown for reference only — navigate with map and compass. Track source: OpenStreetMap route relation 19072433 (© 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. Little Lakes Valley Trail route relation 19072433. OpenStreetMap contributors. https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/19072433. 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.