Hike to Peeler Lake

This trip can be done as a day trip or backpacking trip. It is around an 11 mile out-and-back trip.

Park at Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, CA. There is a $10 fee and it can take a while on busy weekends. A permit is required to stay overnight in Hoover Wilderness. The trailhead can be hard to find; it is in the back of the Twin Lakes Campground.

The trail starts easy and gently wanders through fields of wildflowers and small aspen groves. As you near Barney Lake the trail steepens. Barney Lake is 4.5 miles in, and is a perfect stop for lunch, or even camping on multi-night trips. From Barney Lake, Peeler Lake is another 4.5 miles. from here. Traffic on the trail dissipates and the views continue to surprise.

Peeler Lakes sits near the border of Yosemite National Park on a pass with the West Sierra Slope to the west and the Sierra Escarpment to the east. The lake sits at 9,488 feet and is excellent for fishing. This lake holds some of the best fish I have found in the Sierra. All of the rainbow trout we caught were over 12’’ and aggressive.

Peeler Lake has some great campsites to the south, in the shadow of Crown Point (11,346 ft). From the lake, Crown Point can be summited relatively easily. There are breathtaking views of Yosemite and the Sawtooth Range from the top, and it is worth the climb if you have the time.