Hiking Trail or Trailhead 
McGee Creek Trail
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Photo © Christian Pondella
McGee Creek, just west of Crowley Lake in Mono County, offers access to the John Muir Wilderness for hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. The canyon and creek side boast spectacular colors in the fall and wildflower landscapes in the summer. The trailhead for the canyon is located at 8,000' and eight miles south of Mammoth Lakes on US Hwy. 395, west at the McGee Creek exit. The most popular hiking destinations from the trailhead are Steelhead Lake, (10 miles round trip, 2350' elevation gain) and McGee Lake, (14 miles round trip, 2480' elevation gain).
Services located in the McGee Creek area include a rustic lodge and restaurant (open year-round), a campground, RV park, and a pack station (closed in winter).
Colorful wildflowers, aspen trees, and dramatic views make McGee Creek Canyon a great place for photographers and nature lovers alike.
A wilderness permit is required for overnight travel, available at the Inyo National Forest in Bishop, California.
Vertical Gain or Loss: Steelhead Lake 2,350' / McGee Lake 2,480'
Trail Distance: Steelhead Lake 10 miles roundtrip / McGee Lake 14 miles roundtrip
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Todd A wrote on June 12, 2010: I had the pleasure of being in the canyon in May 2008. It was absolutely spectacular - wild, green, rocky, packed with wildflowers, with the turbulent river as the sound track. I can't recommend this canyon highly enough as a place for a long or short trek into the high Sierra.