Outbound Collective logo

Shaver Lake, California

Looking for the best backpacking in Shaver Lake? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Shaver Lake. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Shaver Lake

  • Bishop, California

    Long Lake via Bishop Pass

    5.51 mi / 991 ft gain
    Directions The trailhead for Long Lake starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head th...
    Read more
  • Bishop, California

    Climb Columbine Peak's NE Ridge

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions This Bishop Pass Trail starts by South Lake outside Bishop, CA. You'll want to take Line Street, which is the 168, West out of Bishop. Approximately 14 miles up, you'll want to merge left towards South Lake. This junction is well-signed if you keep an eye out for it. Head the rest ...
    Read more
  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

    32 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Thousand Island Lake via Agnew Meadows

    5.0
    19.6 mi / 3642 ft gain
    Start from Agnew Meadows about 7 miles away. You can take the High Trail out as part of the River Trail with a long detour passing by several other scenic lakes, including Shadow Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ruby Lake. You will arrive at Thousand Island Lake a few hours after lunch, just in time to set...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Ediza Lake via Agnew Meadows

    4.0
    13.54 mi / 1804 ft gain
    Start at the Agnew Meadows Trailhead. You will need to arrive before 7:30AM or take the Shuttle from Mammoth Mountain. Start out by heading north on the John Muir Trail. You will pass Shadow Lake; walk around the south side of the lake for mountain views. Then, follow the trail up Shadow Creek u...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Ansel Adams' Garnet Lake

    5.0
    14.46 mi / 2717 ft gain
    Garnet Lake is one of the premier stops along the Pacific Crest Trail. However, even if you don't have time for an entire thru-hike (like most of us), this beautiful lake is still easily accessible as an overnight trip! While there are many possible routes for reaching Garnet Lake, the Agnew Me...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Cecile Lake via Agnew Meadows

    16.11 mi / 2667 ft gain
    Located in the heart of the Ansel Adams Wilderness, Cecile Lake can be reached from a variety of trailheads. I chose to start out in Agnew Meadows. From here, the trail criss-crosses through a serene lowland environment with several crystal clear streams. After passing Olaine Lake, veer left an...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Climb Mount Ritter

    Mt Ritter is a long climb, but it is worth the effort. Start out by establishing camp at Ediza Lake prior to your ascent. The SE Glacier route (first ascent by John Muir) follows the path of least resistance up the SE side of Mt Ritter.The route first gains a broad bench below Ritter and Banner P...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Backpack to Waugh Lake

    5.0
    11 mi / 1000 ft gain
    There are several trailheads you can start at to get to the lake, but we chose the River Trail in Agnew Meadows because it was the only trailhead that hadn't met the quota yet. You can check on permit's and trailheads here. If the River Trail is booked other great options are Shadow Creek, Fish C...
    Read more
  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hike to Steelhead Lake through McGee Creek Canyon

    5.0
    11.5 mi / 2510 ft gain
    Whether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views.I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easil...
    Read more
  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Backpack to Red Slate Mountain

    22 mi / 5600 ft gain
    I would recommend you spend the night in the area to acclimatize, since the trailhead does start at ~8,000ft and you will be hiking up to ~10,500ft at the end of the first day and climbing up to 13,100ft on the second day. One option would be to reserve a spot at the nearby McGee Creek Campground...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Backpack the Shadows of the Minarets Loop

    5.0
    16 mi
    Ansel Adams Wilderness is located in Mammoth Lakes, California. The trail to Lake Ediza is frequently traveled and is usually completed as an out-and-back day hike. In the summer, from 7am-7pm the road to the trail head is inaccessible to cars. To reach the trailhead you must take the shuttle fro...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    John Muir Trail: Camping at Lake Ediza Junction

    NOTE: there are some camping closures in this area. Read here for more details. The Lake Ediza Junction has several great spots to camp. Try to find a spot that will have long afternoon sun as some spots will fall under the shadow of the ridge to the west. There are some sunny campsites along the...
    Read more
  • Mono County, California

    Summit Mount Baldwin (12,614')

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions The hike for Mount Baldwin starts at the Convict Lake trailhead. The turn off for Convict lake is about 4.5 miles south of the Mammoth Lakes exit along the 395 and roughly 35 miles North of Bishop, CA. Take this exit and follow the road West towards the mountains. Turn right at the ...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

    5.0
    7.51 mi / 300 ft gain
    Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point

    5.0
    21 mi
    Known for its breathtaking vistas, towering granite faces, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park truly is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Though the park covers nearly 1200 square miles, the vast majority of the ~4 million annual visitors spend almost all their time ar...
    Read more