A Hike to Duck Lake

Barney Lake viewed from Duck Pass

Trailhead: Coldwater campground near Lake Mary, Mammoth Lakes; 9,050′ (2760 m)

Distance: 

Arrowhead Lake	1.25 mi	9,660′ (2,944 m)
Skelton Lake	1.5 mi	9,915′ (3,022 m)
Barney Lake	2.7 mi	10,203′ (3,110 m)
Duck Pass	4.7 mi	10,797′ (3,290 m)
Duck Lake	5 mi	10,427′ (3,209 m)

Altitude gain: 1,747′ (532 m)

Duck Lake is the largest of lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The hike to Duck Lake is a pleasant stroll through high alpine terrain with several smaller lakes on the way. It is one of the most popular day hikes in the Mammoth Lakes area and offers magnificent vistas.

Don't forget to check with the Mammoth Lakes ranger station for weather conditions. The trail can be covered with snow well into July. In the summer, bring bug repellent: mosquitoes abound. If you get lucky, you might have a close encounter with Bigfoot, who is rumored to be living in the area.

To get there, follow the Lake Mary Loop road until the sign to the Coldwater Creek campground. The trailhead to Duck Pass is at the far end (southwest) of the campground. You can park in the day use area there. There are clean toilets at the trailhead.

The Duck Pass trail begins with some moderately steep switchbacks through a pine forest. After about ½ hour, you will pass along Arrowhead Lake on your left (a sign points to it). Next come Skelton Lake and after crossing the 10,000′ elevation line and about 1 ½ h on the trail, Barney Lake with its deep turquoise waters.

If you still have some energy left and it's not too late in the day, right after Barney Lake, a strenuous series of steep switchback lead to the unmarked Duck Pass. Looking on the south side of the pass, you will find Duck Lake and Pika Lake right behind it.

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Make sure to bring enough water with you (½ L/h, ½ quart/h). There are several streams on the way, so you can refill as you go if you have a water filter or purifying tablets.

You should count on 2 ½ hours to reach Duck Lake from the trailhead.

During the hike my SpO₂ was 91-92%, with a heart rate of 65-140 bpm.