day hike recommendations

[tombellanca]

Coming to the area mid-October. Looking for some day hike suggestions.
1st day I plan on going up and back at Kearsarge Pass (that's a day-hike yes?)

Next day I plan on coming into Mammoth Lakes. Having a slower day and maybe doing Postpile and Rainbow Falls.

Looking for one more 3-7 mile day moderately strenuous hike around the ML area. Love creeks/rivers/lakes and scenery. no-duh!

Suggestions???

[tombellanca]

So I think I decided on Kerasarge Pass on my way up to Mammoth and Duck Pass/Lake once I get up there.

[Big Tim]

Duck Pass is a solid choice. Have Fun..........

[justanothertouron]

You should ditch the Postpile hike and replace it with the Little Lakes/ Morgan Pass walk out of Mosqito Flats. Everyone I've met who's walked it felt guilty. Big scenic payoff, minimal effort. http://www.everytrail.com/guide/little-lakes-valley

[tombellanca]

I had been thinking of finding an alternative to pp. I've done it 2x in past couple years.
Thanks for the rec.

[tombellanca]

Wow - that Little Lakes Valley hike looks nice. However might be a bit long - the link you provided listed it as 9.9 miles. That's got to be round trip, yes? I guess I could turn around at any of the lakes to make it shorter.

If you could do only 2 of these 3 - how would they rank?

Kearsarge Pass
Duck Pass
Little Lakes Valley

[justanothertouron]

Kearsarge
Little Lakes
Duck

IMHO, the vista view from the top of Kearsarge is by far the biggest and best of the three, and the tree section has a number of nice little stopping points. Duck is similar in that regard, while Little Lakes is more open with a ridiculous variety of Lakes and rock formations all packed on a generally flat trail. The exposed switchbacks just before Duck Lake will feel like an achievement, but they're not all that much fun. They're all nice hikes, though.

Another thought for your short walk, Parker Lake.

http://www.localhikesbeta.com/Hikes/Parker-Lake-922