Lake Dorothy and Mildred Lake, Eastern Sierra
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Lake Dorothy and Mildred Lake
Two lakes in the Sierra Nevada highcountry, above Convict Lake; shallow Mildred Lake, at the head of a deep, rocky canyon, and the larger Lake Dorothy, higher up to the west
Length: 4.8 miles to Mildred Lake, 5.8 miles to Lake Dorothy
Elevation change: 2,130 feet, 2,700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Type: One-way
Usage: Low
Season: Spring to fall
Trailhead: End of the road to Convict Lake
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Elevation change: 2,130 feet, 2,700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Type: One-way
Usage: Low
Season: Spring to fall
Trailhead: End of the road to Convict Lake
Rating (1-5): ★★★★★
Named after an incident involving escaped prisoners in 1871, Convict Lake is a popular Eastern Sierra destination, especially in the fall when the aspen leaves are changing color - the place is easily reached, by a short paved side road off US 395, it has a scenic setting, framed by rocky slopes, and it is circled by an easy 2.6 mile loop trail.
But not so many people take the one extended path hereabouts, starting at the far side of the lake, a sometimes steep route that ascends the rugged canyon of Convict Creek, reaching the smaller Mildred Lake after another 4 miles; this is equally pretty, backed by a meadow crossed by meandering streams, with the peaks of the Sierra crest not far beyond.
The path continues another mile to Dorothy Lake, similar in size to Convict, and again with a beautiful setting, lined by peaks and ridges; this after nearly 6 miles. Several other lakes are close by including Bighorn to the south, Genevieve, Edith and Cloverleaf to the north. Like most high elevation trails in the Eastern Sierra, the hiking season is usually between late May and mid November.
32 views along the trail
Convict Canyon topo map. Overview map of the Eastern Sierra
Convict Lake is served by a large parking area by the eastern shore, 2.3 miles from US 395. The Mildred Lake Trail starts at the far side, one mile along the northern section of the Convict Lake Loop, or 1.6 miles along the south. The path soon passes a sign for the John Muir Wilderness, climbs via a few switchbacks then becomes more level, running a little bit above the stream (Convict Creek) feeding the lake, as it flows through a corridor of trees, over a series of noisy cascades. The path crosses an exposed, boulder-covered slope, hot in summer, heading towards big rocky peaks - typical of much of the valley, which is not especially scenic, lacking any meadows, just extensive talus fields, rock outcrops and avalanche chutes.
The route steepens, passing through a patch of pines, and scree, then moves into a more level part of the valley to a grove of aspen near the stream, and back into pines. After another steeper part it crosses a sizable tributary, the exit stream from Lake Genevieve 1,000 feet above, and comes down to the main stream, at the concrete foundation of an old bridge, washed away in some past flood. The path crosses the main creek to the east side of the canyon, a possible problem at times of high water flow, and then, rather harder to follow, winds through a mass of boulders, soon climbing high above, traversing the steep hillside. To the west, all along the canyon, are huge peaks and twisted strata, of Sevehah Cliff near Convict Lake and Peak 3240 higher up the valley.
The path finally levels out in a meadow, and passes through a little gap to the edge of Mildred Lake, beyond which is a larger grassy area, quite boggy, crossed by meandering streams. Brown and grey cliffs of granite and limestone rise to the east, and taller summits to the south, along the mountain crest. The trail moves south a way, crosses the grassland and rises up the slope to the west, quite straight, initially over open terrain then into sparse woods, still climbing, over a brow and down to Lake Dorothy, a large lake, nearly a mile in length, with peaks all around. From here the path forks - one branch follows the eastern shoreline and ascends to Big Horn Lake, 1 mile, while the other crosses a divide and descends to Lake Genevieve, later rising again to lakes Edith and Cloverleaf.
But not so many people take the one extended path hereabouts, starting at the far side of the lake, a sometimes steep route that ascends the rugged canyon of Convict Creek, reaching the smaller Mildred Lake after another 4 miles; this is equally pretty, backed by a meadow crossed by meandering streams, with the peaks of the Sierra crest not far beyond.
The path continues another mile to Dorothy Lake, similar in size to Convict, and again with a beautiful setting, lined by peaks and ridges; this after nearly 6 miles. Several other lakes are close by including Bighorn to the south, Genevieve, Edith and Cloverleaf to the north. Like most high elevation trails in the Eastern Sierra, the hiking season is usually between late May and mid November.
Lake Dorothy and Mildred Lake Photographs
32 views along the trail
Maps
Convict Canyon topo map. Overview map of the Eastern Sierra
Start of the Trail
Convict Lake is served by a large parking area by the eastern shore, 2.3 miles from US 395. The Mildred Lake Trail starts at the far side, one mile along the northern section of the Convict Lake Loop, or 1.6 miles along the south. The path soon passes a sign for the John Muir Wilderness, climbs via a few switchbacks then becomes more level, running a little bit above the stream (Convict Creek) feeding the lake, as it flows through a corridor of trees, over a series of noisy cascades. The path crosses an exposed, boulder-covered slope, hot in summer, heading towards big rocky peaks - typical of much of the valley, which is not especially scenic, lacking any meadows, just extensive talus fields, rock outcrops and avalanche chutes.
Convict Creek Canyon
The route steepens, passing through a patch of pines, and scree, then moves into a more level part of the valley to a grove of aspen near the stream, and back into pines. After another steeper part it crosses a sizable tributary, the exit stream from Lake Genevieve 1,000 feet above, and comes down to the main stream, at the concrete foundation of an old bridge, washed away in some past flood. The path crosses the main creek to the east side of the canyon, a possible problem at times of high water flow, and then, rather harder to follow, winds through a mass of boulders, soon climbing high above, traversing the steep hillside. To the west, all along the canyon, are huge peaks and twisted strata, of Sevehah Cliff near Convict Lake and Peak 3240 higher up the valley.
The Lakes
The path finally levels out in a meadow, and passes through a little gap to the edge of Mildred Lake, beyond which is a larger grassy area, quite boggy, crossed by meandering streams. Brown and grey cliffs of granite and limestone rise to the east, and taller summits to the south, along the mountain crest. The trail moves south a way, crosses the grassland and rises up the slope to the west, quite straight, initially over open terrain then into sparse woods, still climbing, over a brow and down to Lake Dorothy, a large lake, nearly a mile in length, with peaks all around. From here the path forks - one branch follows the eastern shoreline and ascends to Big Horn Lake, 1 mile, while the other crosses a divide and descends to Lake Genevieve, later rising again to lakes Edith and Cloverleaf.
Lake Dorothy and Mildred Lake - Similar Hikes
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