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Duck Pass Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 5.0 (20)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …High Sierra
  4. Mammoth Lakes
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“One of the most beautiful trails in all of the Inyo National Forest. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

5.5

Miles

8.8

KM

Point to Point

10,758' 3,279 m

High

9,126' 2,782 m

Low

1,649' 503 m

Up

627' 191 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

Description

Climbing over Duck Pass to join the John Muir Trail, the Duck Pass Trail starts on a forested hillside behind Coldwater Campground and goes past Arrowhead, Skelton, and Barney Lakes before going over Duck Pass. A side trail to Emerald Lake offers an alternate route to Skelton Lake. Common destinations beyond Duck Pass include Duck Lake, with an intense, deep-blue color, and nearby Purple Lake.

A true gem of the John Muir Wilderness, Duck Pass Trail is a must-do and won't be forgotten for a long time.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Inyo National Forest Office

Shared By:

Tom Robson
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 20 votes

#1

in Mammoth Lakes

#142

Overall
  5.0 from 20 votes
5 Star
95%
4 Star
5%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Mammoth Lakes

#12

in California

#142

Overall
20 Views Last Month
10,741 Since Aug 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
24%
24%
53%
0%
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Photos

Duck Lake and Pika Lake viewed from the top of Duck Pass.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The Duck Pass Trail climbs up the valley from the trailhead at Coldwater Campground.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Duck Lake in the afternoon light.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
Mammoth Mountain, Barney Lake, and Skelton Lake from Duck Pass Trail
Sep 16, 2017 near Mammoth…, CA
Duck Lake on a fall afternoon.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA
The crystal clear blue Duck Lake.
Oct 17, 2018 near Mammoth…, CA

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 36 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 7, 2022
BK Hope
Jul 12, 2021
Ricardo Chapa
Aug 17, 2020
jeff v
Aug 9, 2020
Robert David
Aug 9, 2020
Brandon Hanna
Jul 25, 2020
Austin Morales
arrow head lake 1.1mi
Jul 24, 2020
Kathy Hightower
10h 00m
Jul 10, 2020
Ron A

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