Mosquito Flat Trailhead

Bring a camera — you can’t take a bad photo in this place. The trail is wide and very nicely maintained. We hiked it in August with a 5 year old and 6 year old children. They went all the way to Box Lake, about 1.6 miles one way. But, this is not just a family friendly trail, there were people of all different skill levels on this hike, just depends how far and where you’re going. The majority of the hikers were small groups of friends chatting the whole way end enjoying being outside.

One of the most beautiful hikes we’ve done up in the sierras. There was road construction and we had to wait about 20 min for an escort truck, but no worries-we’re on vacation and in no hurry.
We got to the parking lot around 930 on a weekday and there was plenty of parking. It was cooler up there so you may want to bring extra clothes just in case.
WE took the trail to Morgan pass and it was just beautiful. Never saw so many lakes in such a short distance. We were in mammoth for a few days prior to hiking this lake but the altitude was still a killer. Definitely recommend this hike. Don’t forget the bug repellant!

So beautiful, and worth the drive from the Bay Area! My boyfriend and I took our border collie, Riley, on a gorgeous 4 mile out-​and-​back hike through Little Lakes Valley to Chickenfoot Lake. We parked at the Mosquito Flat trailhead, and headed toward Morgan Pass. The first «official» detour we took was to check out Marsh Lake, just a quick offshoot from the main trail. A few minutes later, we were continuing toward Heart Lake, then passing Box Lake, crossing streams and marveling at the unreal views. There were plenty of friendly hikers and other dogs on the trail, but it didn’t feel crowded. I was thrilled that I didn’t see a single piece of trash on the ground the entire time. Must make time to go back there sometime soon and do the hike to Treasure Lakes.

Disclaimer: I did this hike immediately after hiking to Ruby Lake (a 3 miles and 1000′ of altitude hike)
OK! To the point, THIS WAS NOT FLAT! LOL
It wasn’t bad, but after doing Ruby Lake, it wasn’t exactly easy either.
There is a gradual incline and there are SMALL hills you walk over, but overall, definitely an easy hike with a beautiful scenic backdrop.
Came here Labor Day weekend and it wasn’t too hot and there weren’t too many bugs… (THANK GOD!)
Recommended to my fellow laid back hikers!

AMAZING HIKE!
It seems like this trail is called the Rock Creek Trail, The Little Lakes Valley Trail, and the Mosquito Flats trail. But whatever the official name is, this was a spectacular hike. (And we saw no mosquitos, since it was early October.)
It had snowed the day before, so we weren’t sure we would even be able to access the area, but our little rental car did make it to the top of the road (the last parking lot). From there, we bundled up and set out (and we took the trail towards Morgan Pass, which I believe is the shorter/​easier of the hikes you can do, and the sign is clear when the trails split).
There were very few people there (probably due to the snow and the fact that it was a weekday) and it was simply breathtaking. The lakes we passed were glittering in the sunlight and the snowy mountains all around us were spectacular and majestic. It was absolutely perfect. We were even taking off layers as we hiked, sometimes eating the pristine fresh snow to cool off!
The trailhead is at about 10,000 feet and you go up from there. So elevation/​altitude sickness is definitely something to be aware of. Although me and my hiking companions are in fairly good shape, we were breathing heavily through all the uphills. Because of this (and our feet slowly getting wet and cold), we only went as far as Long Lake, then decided to turn around.
Overall, this was one of the highlights of our trip to the Sierras. I would definitely recommend this trail!
And you can get pie at The Rock Creek Resort or Tom’s Place afterwards :)

We’ve been hiking this trail for many years. It is the most beautiful place I’ve seen in the Eastern Sierras. Good for young kids too… not too tough. With a rewarding view at the lakes and picnic by the grassy area, it is totally worth the time!

Wow! The Gem Lakes, at the end of the hike — that is if you head to Morgan Pass (as opposed to Mono Pass, well signed) — are worth going miles out of your way to see.
Every year is different — in 2013 we were here July 3, and it was an easy hike with well maintained trails and gorgeous flowers. Ann L. says that in 2011 the last leg of the hike, to Gem Lakes, was totally snowed in.
We also experienced a lot of mosquitoes in the early a.m. — but on the way back out a bit of a breeze had picked up and they had plenty of other humans to feast on so they were not a problem at all.
GO EARLY!!! We started at around 7:30am and were the only ones on the trail on the way out — it was blissful, with only the sounds of birds calling, chipmunks chirping and rushing water — but on the way back the trail was crowded. At a leisurely pace, with plenty of photo ops and a picnic at Gem Lakes, it was about 5 hours. If you were moving quickly you could probably cut that in half.
This is truly one of the most spectacular hikes I’ve ever done. Wish it was in my backyard!

Don’t go on a busy Autumn wknd. if you don’t like crowds. There are plenty of other beautiful hikes elsewhere w/​o the crowds. Last Autumn I had to park in the outflow lot about ½ mi. away. Dogs needed to stay on their leashes, too many people non-​stop along the trail nearly back to back.

Hiking is tough here, but views are awesome. We went July 2 & 3, 2011. We did Ruby Lake Sat 7÷2÷11 in the afternoon — tons of mosquitoes! Spray DEET all over yourself.
Sun 7÷3÷11 did almost the same hike, but at a junction went left, not right. Lots of lakes heading to Gem Lakes: Mack, Mtn, Marsh, Heart, Box, Chickenfoot, & Gem. More if you like hiking in the snow & backpacking.
Gem Lakes is hard to find this yr and trail is 100% snow. I liked Chickenfoot Lake better, mostly frozen but 1 mile less work to get there.
Down the road is Rock Creek Lakes Resort — pie is suppose to be available 10:30am-1pm or when sold out.

Seriously in my top 3 places of all time. From here you can really access some amazing places and just get lost for days, literally, if that’s what you want to do. And if you don’t wanna go for a hike you can just drive to the end of the road and grab some rhubarb pie a la mode and hang out @Rock Creek Lake.

Mosquito Flat (a.k.a. Rock Creek or Little Lakes Valley) ranks among the top in my all-​time favorite trailheads. It’s high elevation (10,300 ft.) supports fine views of sparkling blue lakes and stark granite peaks with relatively little effort. As a result the trailhead is used heavily by fishermen, hikers, backcountry skiers, and climbers. That being said, if you’re willing to walk a few miles (or go off-​season) you’ll be rewarded with solitude.
There are bear boxes and restrooms at the trailhead as well as excellent pie at Rock Creek Lake Resort just down the road (go early for the best selection).