Matlock Lake

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Distance:
7.3 Miles / 11.7 km
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Moderate
Time to Hike:
3 hours, ~39 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
Inyo National Forest
Town:
Independence, California
Directions:
36.772477, -118.341157
Added:
October 04, 2017
Updated:
January 12, 2021
By:
Elementalfx user profile picture
Elementalfx (Jason Smith)
1,453 '

Total Change
1,723 '

Ascent
1,857 '

Descent
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Hike up the Kearsarge Pass Trail through eastern Sierra vegetation and several lakes before reaching Matlock Lake via the Matlock Lake Trail. This hike is features countless views.

The Kearsarge Pass Trail is very popular. The trail starts out in a desert environment, then gradually ascends into a sparse eastern Sierra forest. It passes several large lakes, Little Pothole Lake and Gilbert Lake,  before reaching the junction with the Matlock Lake Trail.

Turn left onto the Matlock Lake Trail and immediately pass by Flower Lake before crossing over a small ridge and reaching the Matlock Lakes. The trail descends down to the lakes, with several spur trail leading around them. For the best views and campsites, take the middle trail between both lakes. Here gaze up at the jagged mountains above and the granite-rimmed lake below.

You can hike off-trail quite easily up here and explore several of the other smaller lakes in the area, such as Slim Lake with it's turquoise blue water.

  1. Parking

    36.772477, -118.341157
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  2. Main Trailhead

    36.775285, -118.343355
    copy
No community routes found. To add your own hike as a Community Route for this Trail guide, leave a Trip Report with an attached GPX file.

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)
Snakes

Seasons

Summer, Fall
Matlock Lake default picture

Photo Albums

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Matlock Lake - Matlock Lake album
13

1 Trip Report

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Trail Guide By:
Elementalfx user profile picture
Elementalfx (Jason Smith)
7.3 miles / 11.7 km
Trail added
October 04, 2017
Hiked on
August 09, 2017
Updated on
January 12, 2021
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