https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/gem-lake-via-rush-creek-trail |
Distance: 6.6 miles
Route Type: Out & Back
Elevation Gain: 1,943 feet
High Point: 9,187 feet
Duration: 2 hrs
Getting There:
The Rush Creek Trail starts at the Silver Lake parking lot on the June Lake Loop, just passed the June Mountain Ski Area. I was camping at the Sherwin Creek Campground in Mammoth Lakes with two friends from San Diego. We got to the parking lot in mid morning of the hike.
I think we drove back to San Diego afterwards.
The Hike:
The first two miles has a grade of 17% and climbs steadily above Silver Lake, no switchbacks. At the top of this section is a railway track that looks like stairs from a distance is not. It's pretty technical and you'll want to take it slow and carefully.
A little further along you reach Agnew Lake and the dam.
The trail hugs the north side of the lake to another dam for Gem Lake.
From what I remember, we hike pretty far up the East side of Gem Lake and had lunch. The map at the top of this post is bit shorter of a hike.