Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Convict Lake Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.6 (20)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Bishop
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A wonderful, easy hike around Convict lake. Sagebrush, towering peaks & aspen trees galore! ”

Eric Hunter
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List

2.6

Miles

4.1

KM

Point to Point

7,646' 2,330 m

High

7,591' 2,314 m

Low

170' 52 m

Up

175' 53 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (1°)

8%

Max Grade (4°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Family Friendly Beautiful walk and mostly flat

Overview

The trail is about 2.5 miles total that follows the shoreline. You can hike in either direction around the lake. Park at the Marina and hike to the end of the pavement. The trail is relatively flat, ranging from 7,620 to 7,660 feet in elevation. At the back of the lake there is a boardwalk that crosses the creek.

Description

If you park at the Marina, follow the road about a quarter mile to the trailhead. The trail is straightforward and starts in sagebrush. About a half mile down the trail, you'll enter a great aspen and cottonwood forest.

On the back side of the lake is a great area for a picnic and some small beach areas which are great for fishing spots.Cross over the boardwalks. Then, continue on and you'll be back hiking through sagebrush until you come back to the parking area. Overall, this is a short, easy hike that gets warm in the summer time. Drink Water!

Flora & Fauna

Great for wildflowers and looking up at Mount Morrison. Also a great place to see fall colors.

Contacts

Local Club: Friends of The INYO

Apr 19, 2025: ACTION ALERT: Protect the Rights of Non-Federally Recognized Tribes in California!

Mar 31, 2025: Owens Lake Bird Festival, Earth Month, and More in the April Juniper, our E-Newsletter

Mar 27, 2025: ACTION ALERT: March 27th -TONIGHT- Tell Congressman Kevin Kiley to Defend Public Lands!

Land Manager: USFS - Inyo National Forest Office

Shared By:

Eric Hunter with improvements by Ethan Fichtner
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 20 votes

#1

in Bishop

#616

Overall
  4.6 from 20 votes
5 Star
75%
4 Star
15%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Bishop

#101

in California

#616

Overall
39 Views Last Month
5,533 Since Aug 14, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
33%
19%
43%
5%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Convict Lake in the fall, aspen trees are firing in color.
Aug 14, 2015 near Mammoth…, CA
View from the trail.
Apr 20, 2023 near Mammoth…, CA
Dusk at Convict Lake
Jan 25, 2020 near Mammoth…, CA
Laurel Mountain stands guard over Convict Lake.
Jun 22, 2017 near Mammoth…, CA
View from the trail.
Apr 20, 2023 near Mammoth…, CA
View from the trail.
Apr 20, 2023 near Mammoth…, CA

2 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
6,000 characters
6,000 characters
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 31, 2024
Anjana Sasi
Jul 15, 2024
Barbara Barrocas
Jun 24, 2024
Kasia Jankiewicz
Apr 20, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Jul 25, 2022
A V
Jul 16, 2022
Nancy Schulz
2.6mi — 2h 00m
Sep 19, 2021
Bert Noe
May 31, 2021
DARSHAN SOMASHEKHAR

Nearby Recommended Routes

PrevNext
April 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930   
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started