12 Alpine Lake Hikes in California's Eastern Sierra Mountains

As a California native who just discovered the Eastern Sierra mountains in 2015, I have been on a hunt for beautiful alpine lakes in the mountains ever since. During my frequent trips to the Eastern Sierra every Summer and Fall, I’ve found most, if not all, of the prettiest and most vibrant turquoise lakes in the Eastern Sierra mountains you need to visit.

California alpine lakes are a great way to spend the summer weekends. An alpine lake is a lake at a high altitude in the mountains, usually near or above the treeline. Treeline in the Eastern Sierra ranges on average from 8,000 – 12,000 ft.

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If you’re looking to swim at some high-altitude lakes in the mountains, below are some of my favorite California hikes to pretty lakes of all different hike distances and levels, most of which can be done as a day hike or a quick weekend trip!⛰️

Number One Gear Recommendation for Alpine Lake Days

The Matador Nanodry Packable Towel is a must-have if you are hiking to a lake. It’s made of a lightweight nanofibre material so it is very compact, dries quickly, and best of all — it’s a full-size towel!

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Turquoise-Colored Lakes in Eastern Sierra Mountains

Parker Lake

girl in big pine lakes, glacial lake, eastern sierra california — 8.4 miles hike to all 7 Big Pine Lakes but only 5.5 miles to Second Lake which is the most popular. Third and Fifth Lake are the other turquoise-colored lakes worth checking out.

asian girl in white bikini and dog in glacial lake, deer lakes, mammoth lakes, eastern sierra california — 6.2 miles one way. This one is really nice because it’s much less crowded and a bit more remote while still holding beautiful green-turquoise colors

girl in red bikini in duck lake, mammoth lakes alpine lakes, eastern sierra california — 5.6 miles one way. Easy-moderate hike in Mammoth Lakes

girl with ponytail in finger lake, south fork big pine, glacial lake, eastern sierra california — <6 miles one-way, and includes a short class 2 scramble and route-finding at the end. This is one of the most turquoise & coldest water in the Sierra Nevada I’ve been to.

asian girl in turquoise consultation lake, mt whitney zone, eastern sierra california — This one is on the Mt Whitney Trail which does require a specific permit. It’s actually a vibrant blue color which can be easily reached just before Trail Camp.

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Scenic Alpine Lakes in CA (Non-Glacial / Non-Turquoise)

Minaret Lake

tiff at red lake at split mountain, eastern sierra california — This is a great camp spot if you’re climbing Split Mountain in two days. The trail to get here honestly kind of sucks but the lake and views are freaking gorgeous!

Followtiffsjourney at blue lake in bishop, eastern sierra mountains of california. photo by Josh Steele @outofthewoods — Blue Lake in Bishop starts at Sabrina Lake TH. It’s about 3 miles one way and accesses an entire lakes basin if you continue onwards!

Thousand Island Lake

alpine lakes in california, treasure lakes — From Little Lakes Valley: The hike to Gem Lake (not pictured) is easy, and the trail up here to Treasure Lake after requires cross-country hiking and navigational skills.

girl at lower lamarck lake in bishop, eastern sierra california — Lower Lamarck Lake in Bishop: 1.84 miles one way with 1318 ft of elevation gain. It’s short but a great workout and there’s an upper Lamarck Lake you can hike to beyond this.

Looking for alpine lakes in Colorado Rocky Mountains?
Check out these hikes in the summer

Lake Haiyaha in Rocky Mountain National Park

island lake colorado ice lake trail, colorado alpine lake hike

Island Lake and Ice Lake in San Juan Mountains

Crater Lake in Maroon Bells

colorado alpine lake hike, summit lake mt evans hike

Summit Lake near Mount Evans

Ready for the lakes? Don’t forget to prepare for the sun! Check out these 5 essential items to pack for fun in the sun!

summer hiking essential adventure pack list

Thanks for reading!
I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below :)
& please don't forget to practice LEAVE NO TRACE

Tiffany

Tiff, the owner and author of Follow Tiff’s Journey, is a California/ Colorado-based adventurer and outdoor connoisseur who divides her heart between the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Despite her fear of heights, she’s become a seasoned mountaineer, ultralight hiking and backcountry camping enthusiast, expert road trip planner, and a fervent explorer of alpine lakes, natural hot springs, and sandstone canyons.

With 10 years of experience exploring the outdoors, her blog is your go-to source for all things wilderness, offering invaluable insights and pro tips, essential gear recommendations, and awe-inspiring stories from her adventures.

Join Tiff on her quest to share the wonders of nature and inspire others to follow their own path in the great outdoors.

Christine Jones Estep

March 30, 2024 at 5:03 pm

Where is this at?
https://followtiffsjourney.com/alpine-lakes-in-eastern-sierra/
You are wearing red in light blue water.

Tiffany
April 1, 2024 at 11:44 am

Hi Christine, the locations/ matching blog articles are linked underneath each photo 🙂

Alpine Lakes in the Eastern Sierra to Hike This Summer

Number One Gear Recommendation for Alpine Lake Days