California’s Great Beyond

Emerald Lake Trail

  • Mammoth Lakes Basin, Coldwater Creek
  • Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
  • Phone: (760) 924-5500

An easy 1.5-mile trail that starts out of the Coldwater Creek Campground and is an out-and-back type trail. The trail to Emerald Lake winds uphill along a beautiful creek with only about 450 feet of elevation gain. Emerald Lake pops into view just after the trail levels out, with a fork in the trail going left or right towards the lake. Go right to enjoy the wildflowers and lake during the warmer months, or take the trail left and continue on towards Skelton Lake and the Duck Pass Trail.