Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
and cools as it trickles down into several rock pools right by the side of lively Buckeye
Creek, which is handy for taking a cooling dip. One pool is partially tucked into a small
cave made from a rock overhang. Clothing is optional. To get there from Hwy 395 via
Twin Lakes Rd, turn right at Doc & Al's Resort (7 miles from Hwy 395), driving 3 miles
on a (momentarily paved and then) graded dirt road. Cross the bridge at Buckeye Creek (at
2.5 miles), and bear right at the Y-junction, following signs to the hot spring. Go uphill a
half mile until you see a flattish parking area on your right. Follow a trail down to the
pools.
For hikers, the main trailhead is at the end of Twin Lakes Rd just past Annett's Mono
Village; weekly overnight parking is $10 per vehicle. From here, hikers can set off along
Robinson Creek for adventures in the stunning the
Hoover Wilderness
and overnight
backpacking trips (wilderness permit required) into northeastern Yosemite. The day hike to
lovely
Barney Lake
(8 miles round-trip) takes in magnificent views of jagged granite
spires in
Little Slide Canyon
- where rock climbers detour to scale a fierce wall called the
Incredible Hulk - and steep boulder rockslides on the ridge to the north.
For a hike with great views of Twin Lakes, go south from Annett's on the
Horse Creek
Trail
, which soon leads to the cascades of
Horsetail Falls
. It continues up to skirt the wil-
derness boundary and then descends back to Twin Lakes on the
Cattle Creek Trail
. Loop
back along the lake for 7.5 miles in total. In
Dharma Bums
, Beat author Jack Kerouac de-
scribes an ascent he made from Horse Creek Canyon to nearby Matterhorn Peak (12,300ft)
with poet Gary Snyder.
Twin Lakes Rd (Rte 420) runs through pastures and foothills for about 10 miles before
reaching Lower Twin Lake. The road is a satisfying route for moderately fit cyclists, with
mostly level terrain and heavenly scenery.
Sleeping & Eating
Past the bridge at Buckeye Creek, bear left at the signed Y-junction along a road for 2
May-mid-Oct)
,
