Location: Mammoth Scenic Loop, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Distance: 1.5 Miles (Out and Back) Time: Less than 1 Hour
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 150 Feet
Season: Year Round (Road is impassable in winter but you may snowshoe from the main road)
Foot Traffic: Low to Moderate
Date Hiked:
Overview
This is a great area to check out the effects of volcanic activity. The Inyo Craters are three craters in the Mammoth Lakes region that were formed during an Eruption only 600 years ago. Today these craters are filled with emerald green waters from the nearby snowmelt and rain runoff. This trail is one of the easiest located in the Mammoth Lakes region and makes for a great late day hike. There is a bit of climbing but overall the elevation gain is pretty mild and the trail is very short. For those that want to make it even shorter, it is more than reasonable and fulfilling just to visit the Crater and pool.
Trail Description and My Story
We started our week long trip with a hike out to Second Lake via the North Fork of Big Pine Creek earlier in the morning. As the day wore on we made our way into Mammoth and with daylight dwindling we decided to get one last hike in for the day. We decided on the quick trail to Inyo Craters.
After making the short drive down the dirt road we arrived at a secluded parking area situated among a grove of Ponderosa Pines. We followed the obvious trail up a slight incline under a dense canopy of Ponderosa and Pinyon Pines. This is area is very scenic and enjoyable. Eventually, we exited the forest canopy and came to a overlook above the craters.
Reaching the Inyo Craters
The first Crater is inundated with trees and rubbish and is not very appealing to the eye or conducive for photo taking. We decided to make our way towards that second Crater and this one was very enticing. A beautiful emerald green water filled the Crater and views down into it were wonderful.
I was a little shocked as I turned around and saw our friend, Josue, who had joined us on the trip, wasn’t paying all that much attention and was walking and staring at his phone. I asked him what he was doing and he responded that he was trying to catch a Pokemon. For one I couldn’t believe he had reception and for the other I couldn’t believe that he didn’t want to take in the sights.
We spent some time taking some photos and just sitting around the summit caldera and enjoying the Crater all to ourselves. This is a fabulous hike for those who are short on time. As our day had been pretty eventful, this was a great, quick way for us to close out the day.
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is there a fee to visit the Inyo Craters?
- No, there is no fee to hike or park at the Inyo Craters Trail.
Are dogs allowed on the Inyo Craters Trail?
- Yes, dogs are allowed on the Inyo Craters Trail. Please pick up and properly dispose of all animal waste.
Are there restrooms at the trailhead?
- Yes, vault toilets are located in the parking area of the Inyo Craters Trail.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers, and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
