Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Eastern Sierras → Lee Vining Area → Parker Lake

Location: Lee Vining Area, Eastern Sierras, California

Time Required: 2 – 3 hours

Distance: ~4 miles round trip

Elevation Gain/Loss: 650 feet

Red Tape/Notes: No permit required. The trail is so straightforward you don’t really need any additional information, but if desired, you can find anything you need on this post from Hiking Project.

What’s Nearby?: June Lake Loop, Mono Lake, Lundy Canyon, Tuolomne Meadows

Parker Lake is a nice little alpine lake in the same area as the June Lake loop. The hike is fairly short and the elevation gain is only moderate; given the lovely views and excellent destination, you get a high return on your efforts. You’re unlikely to have the trail to yourself, but you’ll leave behind the scores of people thronging the loop. Even better, virtually everyone who hikes to the lake stops when the trail reaches the lake at the northeastern end, but you can continue on the use trail that leads around the lake. This trail is mainly used by anglers, and there are a number of nice spots for fishing, particularly on the southwest end of the lake. Trout can be found in the lake itself, or in Parker Creek which leads into and out of the lake. For even more fun, carry a packraft and paddles in with you – it’s delightful to be able to paddle out onto the lake, and our packrafts are stable enough that you can fish from them (sitting down of course).

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Northern California → Eastern Sierras → Lee Vining Area → Parker Lake