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Photos MapsSummary: This hike is easily one of the top hikes that we've done in the Sierra. There are so many great viewpoints and so much great scenery to take in. On the way up to Duck Pass this hike passes by three nice alpine lakes (with a couple of waterfalls below two of the lakes) and after crossing over Duck Pass goes to two more lakes (probably the best two). The incredible hue of Duck Lake is well known to locals of the area and to those who have seen it for themselves. Finish at Pika Lake for a little more seclusion.Distance: 10.3 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 1,980' totalSeason: late-June through OctoberFees & Permits: None for dayhikers. Wilderness permits required for overnighters.Finding the Trailhead: 37.5911 N, 118.9892 W (Duck Pass Trailhead). Drive through Mammoth Lakes, CA, and either take the Lake Mary Rd or the Old Mammoth Rd toward the Mammoth Lakes. About 0.7 miles from the junction of the Old Mammoth Rd and the Lake Mary Rd turn left onto Around Lake Mary Rd, go ~0.6 miles and turn left again into the Cold Water Campground. Follow the one-way road all the way back to the southeastern end of the campground where the trailhead is (just past the trailhead for Emerald Lake).
The Hike: From the trailhead you immediately begin to climb. At ~0.9 miles you reach a junction with a side-trail leading down to Arrowhead Lake (if you begin this hike in the morning, I recommend doing this side-trail on the way back down when there is better light for photos, ~0.25 miles there and back). Coming out of Arrowhead Lake is a nice waterfall (see waterfall description here). Continuing to climb, the trail reaches the western end of Skelton Lake (if the lake looks like a hand giving a thumb up, then this would be the fingers) at ~1.5 miles from the trailhead (there's also a nice waterfall just below Skelton Lake, see the description here). To get to the shore of the lake requires a short (~0.1 miles there and back), easy side-trail. As the trail climbs above and beyond Skelton Lake there are nice views looking back down toward it. Continuing to climb the trail reaches the northern end of Barney Lake at ~2.45 miles from the trailhead, where there are nice views of the lake. Continuing on the eastern side of the lake you begin to climb above the lake zig-zagging your way up the talus slope towards Duck Pass. Virtually all along this section are wonderful views to the NW. A little before reaching the Pass was where I thought the best views were. At ~3.5 miles the trail reaches Duck Pass somewhat uneventfully since the views aren't that great from the Pass. However, walk just a few more steps and you begin to have views looking down and over Duck Lake. At ~3.55 miles the trail intersects with the Pika Lake trail (as shown by the wooden sign). Turning left onto this trail you descend towards the northern shore of Duck Lake with its notable blue waters. After skirting the northern shore of Duck Lake the trail turns SW and follows along the eastern shore until it comes upon the outlet creek for Pika Lake where it turns east and climbs slightly up towards Pika Lake. At ~4.7 miles from the trailhead you reach the western end of Pika Lake with the barren, rocky, and jagged peaks looming above the lake. We walked a further ~0.1 miles to a nice spot along the northern shore where we rested and had lunch. On the way back to the trailhead remember to: (1) walk a little ways (~0.25 miles) to the SW from the Pika Lake trail junction to get great views of the mountains to the SW as well as a view of Duck Lake and Pika Lake, (2) visit the shoreline of Skelton Lake, and (3) visit the shoreline of Arrowhead Lake.
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