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| | | Green Creek Trail to East Lake, CA | | | |
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Green Creek Trail to East Lake, CA
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| Hiking | 9.11 Miles |
1,647 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.11 Miles | 8 Hrs 51 Mns | | 1.25 mph |
| 1,647 ft AEG | 1 Hour 33 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This was my first of 8 day-hikes I would take in the Eastern Sierras over eleven days from June 24 to July 4 as I worked my way south along Highway 395 from Bridgeport to Bishop, CA. The Green Creek Trailhead is in the Forest Service Green Creek Campground and on this trip was only about 20 yds from my campsite. An alternate TH is in a parking lot about a quarter mile before reaching the CG. The trail provides access to three beautiful lakes (Green Lake, West Lake and East Lake) within easy day hiking distance. I've been to all three lakes on previous hikes in the fall of 2019 and the summer of 2020. I keep returning because of the beauty of this area and the light tourist load relative to many other destinations in the Eastern Sierras. The trailhead and campground is accessed via the well maintained gravel Green Creek Road from its intersection with HW395 4.5 miles south of Bridgeport. There are a number of scenic primitive dispersed campsites in the California Dept of Fish and Wildlife's Green Creek Wildlife Area along the creek a few miles before reaching the end of the road. I was expecting packed campgrounds on this trip but was surprised to find that only 2, including mine, of the 10 campsites in the FS CG were occupied during my stay. A quick drive-thru check of two of the dispersed camping areas on my day of departures found only 3 sites out of about 12 occupied. Campfire Permits are required in CA for open fires, such as campfire, barbecues and portable gas stoves on federally controlled lands and private lands that are the property of another person. The permits are not required when camping in official campgrounds. I was never checked for a permit the 27 years I lived in CA. However a campsite neighbor over the July 4th weekend told me they had gotten a $500 fine for not having a permit a few days before when dispersed camping. The permits are available free on-line after watching a 2.5 minute video and taking a 10 question test about fire safety.
The first section of the hike up to Green Lake offers views of a large beaver pond and creek rapids along with glimpses of the mountains ahead and the valley behind. The first major creek crossing is near the outlet to Green Lake and the wide spacing of a couple of the stepping stones gave me pause. A young backpacking couple showed up while I was contemplating crossing on a log jam about a 100 ft downstream. I suggested the log jam to them and then waited for the two of them to cross first to test the route before successfully attempting it myself.  The trail to East Lake at this point can get confused with the several side tracks to Green Lake but choosing the trail that heads directly up-hill away from the creek will get you there. However I took a short side trip to the shore on one of these trails to enjoy the spectacular views of Green Lake. There I encountered a group of four fishermen relaxing in their camp near the lake. I stopped to chat and soon got involved in exchanging old fishing stories. The more talkative of the four had an Americanized Italian Accent. He kept his conversation well lubricated with frequent swigs out of an Italian type leather canteen from which he soon offered me a swig of Brandy. If I'd taken up his offer I probably would have been there the rest of the day. 
The section of the trail to East Lake is a moderate climb with switchbacks crossing back and forth across the creek several times. The creek was low enough to make the crossings easy on well placed stepping stones. Reaching a viewpoint at the edge of the lake I saw a large trout (18-20 inches) cruising by confirming some of the stories I'd heard from my fishermen friends down at Green Lake. A fisherwoman showed up at the lake shore near me to take photos. I told her she had just missed a chance at a large trout. She politely told me she had no need, her pack was already full. I continued following the trail along the east side of the lake to take more photos before starting my return to camp. On a day hike a couple days later I would be at a viewpoint on top of Kavanaugh ridge (11000 ft) on the East edge of the Hoover Wilderness looking down on this lake and several others. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
The hike would not disappoint. There are some amazingly beautiful trees along the trail. The views of Green Lake and the mountains and valleys behind that lake were stunning. I met some nice people on the trail and got some good advice on other places to visit. I'll never tire of the Eastern Sierras.
