Trail Run Project Logo

A peaceful and seldom-traveled, wooded route in the heart of the Monarch Divide.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

4.4

Miles

7.1

KM

88%

Runnable

10,490' 3,197 m

High

9,672' 2,948 m

Low

899' 274 m

Up

622' 190 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

28%

Max Grade (16°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

The State Lakes Loop is a really beautiful excursion off the Simpson Meadow Trail in the Monarch Divide. Lower State Lake is breathtaking and peaceful with easy access to the off-trail state lakes. It's a beautiful swim with lots of rocks to launch from so you avoid stirring up the muck. Upper State Lake is nice, but brings to mind a giant puddle. After the Upper Lake, the trail can be easy to lose in the rocks so pay attention.

Be very careful in the creek crossings during wet years. The second crossing, right before you start to climb toward the lower lake, is particularly sketchy in the wet season.

Nearby Horseshoe Lakes is an excellent launching point for a cross-country trip to Lakes Basin and the original John Muir Trail route.

Check out the photos here for tips to find the abandoned Shorty's Cabin below lower State Lake.

Contacts

Shared By:

Sophie Carrillo-Mandel

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 1 vote

#2570

Overall
  5.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#280

in California

#2,570

Overall
5 Views Last Month
885 Since Sep 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Right after the State Lakes junction.
Dec 22, 2015 near Big Pine, CA
Dry creek bed "flowing" out of Upper State Lake; this is where the trail becomes easy to lose.
Dec 23, 2015 near Big Pine, CA
Upper State Lake with Dougherty Peak in the background.
Dec 23, 2015 near Big Pine, CA
This is sometimes a meadow and sometimes a swamp.
Dec 23, 2015 near Big Pine, CA
The remaining trunk of a dead lodge pole pine with a "candlelight" marks where the trail begins to climb.
Dec 23, 2015 near Big Pine, CA
Lower State Lake.
Dec 23, 2015 near Big Pine, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.