Laurel Lakes Road

Beautiful spot, we've been going there since 1985. Trail is open and doable with 4x4 low range and high clearance vehicle. Leaves were yellow and the valley heading up was very colorful and pretty. No one was up there except for us.

Pretty rocky the first half, but if you have high clearance not so much a problem. Recommend 4LO. The one switchback going down to the lake is sketchy…it is very off camber. Had flashbacks of that Jeep rolling down Black Bear in Colorado. Anyways, the challenges are worth it. Few people there.

We attempted to run this trail today with two Rubicons on 35s. The washouts are large, but not impossible. There are several bypasses created for them now and we made it thru the washouts towards the beginning of the trail. Then further up the trail, about 3/4 of the way, we encountered deep snow on the trail itself and could not make it all the way to the lake. Do not recommend anyone attempting at this point as we could see deeper snow further up the trail as well. Will have to come back at some other time.

The trail is now completely impassible until some work is done to fill in the washouts. The pictured washout looked to be about 2-3 feet wide and 2-3 feet deep. We made it through 2 gnarly washouts but the one in the picture needs some work to be passible. And we didn't make it far as all, these washouts are near the beginning of the trail. This is the worst I've ever seen it and our first trip up this trail was in 1985. It was just my wife and I in a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon on 38s, so we decided to not press on any further. This last storm must have been a real problem because it's washed out really bad in the last 2 weeks.

This trail is absolutely gorgeous (snow-capped mountains with Autumn colors, currently; babbling brooks with Aspen groves and amazing views of the basin) and we were so lucky to have run as much of it as we did. We cannot wait to return and fully complete the trail in its entirety. Note: this trail is considered impassable, currently, due to the (earlier) wash-outs from a storm quite a few months ago. Currently, our 2020 Tacoma TRD4x4OR (double-locked; only used rear locker within one of the many wash-out areas and probably did not need to in hindsight) did just fine on the entire trail; it was at the remaining 0.35 mile (so close!) mark to Laurel Lake that we had to turn tail and descend off of the mountain (around 10k feet elevation). The snow was quite packed and icy and was mostly located at two sweeping left turns at the end of the trail, just prior to the descending switchbacks to the lakes (see above map). These sections (I walked them to gauge difficulty) were located on off-camber, loose rock sections of the trail. We chose to live to drive another day and had to abort our journey (would have been an epic camp site). The fall (see pictured red Bronco II above) would not have been forgiving and we were travelling solo (one vehicle, two people, two dogs). That being said, this is definitely one of the most beautiful tracks we have done. Not technical, but breathtaking nonetheless. I do wish my snow driving skills were more honed, however I feel that unless you are up there with multiple vehicles and experienced drivers alike, the current conditions at the end of the trail should not be attempted. Local authorities, although not posting signs as to otherwise, are still cautioning people away from this trail. Journey at your own risk and be safe.

We were going to camp up there the weekend of 07/10/21 but the rangers were blocking the way because the road gave way . We drove 7 hours to do this trail, oh well I’ll have to go back in a month and hope it’s open

Last 1 mile of the trail was blocked by snow berm but we hiked all the way to the lake no problem. Nice and easy trail otherwise. Our lightly modified Toyota Tundra handled it no problem. Not a whole lot of traffic during Memorial Day weekend and we even had the lake by ourselves.

Such a beautiful trail but it does get busy at times like during a Memorial Day long weekend. Trail was open and passable all the way up until the final approx 0.5 to 1 mile from the lakes. The red bronco slid off where the trail got narrow and partially ice covered, and beyond this point there was still a snow pack fully covering the trail, making it too dangerous to continue.

Trail was snowed in about 1/2-1mile in vertically around this time. Was about 1ft deep and compact ice. Would like to know when the best time to do this trail.

Great trail that is very close to the town of mammoth making it an easy day trip. I have a stock 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD pro and there was nothing we could not handle but there were definitely some challenges. The fires have left a lot of smoke in the area but still a beautiful trail with a nice lake at the end.

Very cool trail that I really enjoyed. Probably top 5 trail for me. I liked it because you definitely need a capable vehicle to get to the lake. It took about 45 minutes to get to the lake area and the rocks sound like glass. The you tube video above does not show the whole trail or the lake. Maybe cause they wanted to hide this gem from the whole world? The road is narrow and just enough to be fun and not terrifying. There are some big rocks where high clearance will come in handy. The most sketchy part for me was near the end of the trail where you need to do a 2-3 point turn, right at the edge of a cliff. But with a spot, you'll be fine. Going up that same part was sketchy and I used my rear locker... cause why not if you got it.

Majestic lake and mountain view awaits. very good trail. we had a blast. came up with trailhawk grand cherokee and renegade.

It was a perfect weather day on the trail. The trail is easy enough, we had a 2013 JK and a 2017 Toyota Tacoma and had no issues. But there were so many people up there! We probably saw 30 other vehicles. It was the busiest I've ever seen it in the past 35 years that we have been going to Laurel Lakes! Lots of overlanders with rooftop tents and people camping everywhere. Still beautiful and worth the visit.

Drove up for the long weekend. The trail continues to be impacted with snow. But its beautiful area with nice dispersed camping sites along the way.

Snow blocked the road at waypoint 6 and it was impassable. We camped at waypoint 5 for 2 nights. There was a easy off roading trail to Convict lake and the view was great!

The trail was great. We camped overnight at the lake, there were plenty of spots. I was easily able to complete this with a stock 2017 Tacoma. The temperature dropped heavily overnight and the lake is in a deep valley, so the sun rises late and sets early.

We love Laurel Lakes! We've been running this trail regularly since 1985. It's not hard, but so scenic. I would sure like to catch one of the golden trout in the lake, but I never have had any luck there. There are some big beautiful fish in the upper lake.

Been to Laurel Lakes 39 times/1 time a year/ in Jun-July. Rangers know be very well! The drive is flat and rocky in some areas but never bad unless a landslide. What is highly critical! Drive up in early a.m. up to 11:00a.m. Drive back down after 1:30 p.m. or later! WHY? The road is highly narrow in 4 sections...Meaning about 2-3 feet winder than your vehicle. Meeting another vehicle head to head is highly dangerous..Backing up or down is almost impossible and so very dangerous...drop offs average 400 to 980 feet! Knowledge of 4 deaths maybe more... Best is the drive is so highly scenic and colorful. Fly fishing fish is fun here also on peninsula point with only legal campfire in Calif. 9, 980 feet! The highest! Have no Video URL. But, created a DVD disc, 1hour 30 minutes called "Highway 395 & Around". Lone Pine up to Bridgeport & Upper Twin Lakes. Covers parks, Mtns. , Lakes, River, towns, Historic areas, rare & unusual areas. (From 1985-2019) Give out about 50 discs yearly to people I meet, store owners, & Rangers. If any are sold no $ to store or individual: Only to Park Restoration. Bob Harris, Northridge, CA bharris100@gmail.com Download pictures tomorrow....On wrong computer right now!

Trail was in great shape but very crowded at the lake. It was a beautiful day, about 75 and partly cloudy. I will try to post some pictures at a later date.