Drama-ramic Hike

Convict Lake Hike

It's not just the granite peaks—including famous Mount Morrison—encircling Convict Lake that make it such a dramatic place. Carved by glaciers from the Ice Age, this giant canyon featuring a beautiful turquoise oasis has a turbulent past—144 years ago to this date (September 17!) six escaped prisoners from Carson City holed up here and got into a Wild West shootout. That's all history now, but for those who can't resist a little drama, go on a 3-mile hike around the lake during late afternoon. The mountain scenery reflecting onto the ultra-clear waters of the lake makes for a spectacular outing. Start on the northeast side of the lake and follow the easygoing trail with mild ups and downs. Plenty of spur trails descend to the water, which is a popular fishing spot. A boardwalk crosses Convict Creek on the back side of the lake and passes through a grove of aspen trees. Towards the end of the hike there's a pebble beach with a few picnic tables, but there are plenty of places to stop all along the route (we like the halfway point shoreline area where large rocks make nice perches). Finish the loop just before sunset and watch from a viewing platform as Mount Morrison transitions to a mysterious, looming silhouette.

STAY: For a beautiful setting, easy access to adventures, and the ability to barbecue and eat in, Snowcreek Resort has a variety of options worth checking out, including pet-friendly units.

The turnoff for Convict Lake is 8 miles south of Mammoth Lakes off of Hwy. 395, across from the airport. Follow Convict Lake Rd. 2 miles to the lake. The trail around the lake is dog-friendly!

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Serene Las Gallinas

    A serene stroll alongside marshland, passing ponds and grasses frilled in seasonal wildflowers, with Mount Tam a beacon in the background … how nice. As part of the esteemed Bay Trail, San Rafael’s Las Gallinas Valley Birding Loop and Wildlife Ponds comprises about 3.5 miles of wide-open trail.

    View
  2. Paint Brushy

    This time of year you’ll have good reason to head for the hills—the electric-green rolling hills of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve in Livermore. This 4.5-mile loop hike is like stepping into a plein air painting.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    2025 POST Wildflower Walks

    Get flower empowered! POST’s complimentary 2025 Wildflower Walks guide blooms with the best places to see a variety of florals across the Peninsula and South Bay this spring.

    View
  4. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Weekend in Reno Tahoe

    Weekend plans? Reno Tahoe! Just a few hours by car or a short flight away, Reno Tahoe springs to the moment with great ways to combine adventure and relaxation in its beautiful mountains-meets-desert setting.

    View
  2. Hiker walking along the North Bluff Trail on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

    Purely Wild

    Channel Islands National Park lives up to its nickname as “North America’s Galapagos.” This less-traveled national park is an undeveloped and isolated series of five dramatic and distinct islands reached by boat. Hike the largest of the islands, Santa Cruz.

    View
  3. Woman hiking the South Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon

    Truly Grand Day Hike

    One of the best spring day hikes in the Grand Canyon? See layer upon layer of the park’s grandeur—including the river—on this 3-mile (one-way) journey to Skeleton Point via the South Kaibab Trail.

    View
  4. A woman stands amid an array of yellow and purple flowers at Descanso Gardens in Los Angeles

    Petal Paradise

    Tulips, lilacs, and daffodils—flower power is in full bloom at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. Sprawling across 150 acres surrounded by mountains, the gardens are putting on their best show right now.

    View