Backpacking Duck Pass Trail to Duck Lake in Mammoth Lakes

HIKE TO: Barney Lake, Duck Pass, Duck Lake, and Pika Lake
TRAIL: Duck Pass Trail
MILES: 5.6 miles one way
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,739 ft
MAX ELEVATION: 10,502 ft
TIME: 2 days/ 1 night (or you can day hike it 3.5 hr one way)
DATE I WENT: 9/1 – 9/2, 2018
DIFFICULTY: moderate backpacking trail
HIKE PERMIT: yes, wilderness permit required for backcountry camping
LOCATION: Mammoth Lakes Basin/ EASTERN SIERRA

Duck Pass Trail to Barney Lake, Duck Lake, and Pika Lake is one of the best hikes in Mammoth Lakes, California. The crystal-clear water of Duck Lake makes this moderate a must-do on your summer trip.

The trail for Duck Pass and Duck Lake starts at the end of Coldwater Campground. There is a big parking lot that fills up fast, a restroom, and a few bear lockers to store the extra scented items that aren’t making it on the trail with you. This moderate-level hike is great for the whole family!

While backpacking permits for overnight camping along the Duck Pass trail can be hard to obtain, there are other hiking options and camping options nearby. Skip to the end of the blog to learn more.

Duck Pass Trail in a Nutshell

Duck Lake is only 5.6 miles one-way so you can easily day hike it, but it’s nice to backpack it so you can enjoy more time at the lakes. The out-and-back trail passes Heart Lake (there’s a side trail to this one), Arrowhead Lake, Skeleton Lake, and Red Lake before reaching Barney Lake. The trail then goes up Duck Pass and down to Duck Lake at which point you can continue further to Pika Lake (keep left from Duck Lake) or move forward (keep right) to Purple Lake and connect to the JMT/ PCT. You can also create a loop and swing by Emerald Lake on your way back.

Full Duck Pass Trail Backpacking Trip Report

We started at 2:28 pm and the trail picks up with some elevation gain right away and switchbacks throughout most of the trail. We reached the Arrowhead Lake junction about one mile in at 3:03 pm (it’s a short walk down the left trail where you can access the water), arrived at Skeleton Lake at 3:25 pm, and got our first views of Barney Lake at 3:54 pm. The trail up until this point is well-shaded in the trees.

Barney Lake and Red Lake (the small lake to the left when you get down to Barney) are about 2.4 miles from the trailhead and a great place to filter water before you start up Duck Pass. The pass isn’t very long but it’s all steep switchbacks and can be very exposed depending on what time of day you’re trekking. There’s a creek that runs through the trail between the lakes which had a lot of flowing water to filter when we went in Sept 2018.

Once we reached Barney Lake, we decided to head back to the top (before the trail dips down towards the lakes) to find a spot to pitch our tents overlooking the lakes for the night so we could enjoy some time exploring the area and hanging out in the lakes. There were a few other campers down between the lakes but no one around us up above it.

Camping at Barney Lake on Duck Pass Trail

Since the trail is short, we slept in and started towards Duck Pass at 9:20 am. It took about an hour to reach the top of the pass and once you get to the top of the trail, Duck Lake sits very large in front of you and you can see Pika Lake at a distance.

Hike Duck Pass to Duck Lake and Pika Lake

We chose to head down the left side of Duck Lake and over to Pika Lake instead of continuing because Pika Lake looked like it had more color to it and I personally like smaller lakes rather than large ones. Heading down can be a little slippery with the loose rocks and dirt since it’s a little steep also, but it’s only a short distance before the trail flattens out (note that it’s fully exposed here also) and we arrived at Pika Lake within 20 mins.

Pika Lake flows into Duck Lake so as you cross over, you can filter water here again (assuming there’s water flow depending on the season). We saw quite a few people who camped along this section of the trail and around Pika Lake so if you got your wilderness permit, this is another campsite option.

Pika Lake was so green and serene so Vanessa and I spent over an hour here just hanging out, having lunch, and floating – there were no other people at the lake although some were off in the surrounding wilderness at their campsites. This was only my second trip with Vanessa, but by now, she’s inspired me to dip into as many backcountry lakes as I can and not be a wimp with the alpine chill (in the summer season at least).

Pika Lake

So on our way out and back, we decided to stop at Duck Lake and dipped in there too (yes, I’m quite proud of myself)! 30 mins later we were back on the trail.

Duck Lake

We started heading down Duck Pass at 2:26 pm, made a detour around the cliffs next to Red Lake to explore (you can see either Skeleton or Arrowhead Lake from higher up, not sure which one), and as the clouds rolled in, we packed up camp at 4:20 pm and were off the trail by 5:30 pm.

Alternative Trail Option to Hike to Duck Lake in Mammoth Lakes CA

Hike Mammoth Crest to Deer Lakes and Duck Lake

Mammoth Lakes Camping Guide

Best Mammoth Lakes Camping Guide

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Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes

• The Westin in Mammoth Lakes: This modern hotel is conveniently located in the middle of Mammoth Lakes. Step out of your hotel into all of the main shopping centers and restaurants. The hotel is very nice and clean, spacious, has a cozy fireplace in the room, and the lobby even had free wine and hot chocolate each afternoon during our winter stay last year. The Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is less than 5 miles away for your winter skiing! There is a free parking garage as well as valet options.
  Click here to book your stay at The Westin
• Austria Hof Lodge: this smaller hotel: this cute Beaux Arts-inspired hotel is smaller with less natural light but clean with free parking. There’s a full-size bar and lounge inside so try to not stay in a room near the bar as it can be a bit loud. This lodge is only a 5-minute walk to the Canyon Express Life at Mammoth Mountain Resort and a close drive to the main town center.
  Click here to book your stay at Austria Hof Lodge

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