Shamrock Lake – Excelsior Lake loop from Lake Helen

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Hiking trails & Routes

United States

California

Mono County

Shamrock Lake – Excelsior Lake loop from Lake Helen

Easy

2.8

(27)

hikers

Shamrock Lake – Excelsior Lake loop from Lake Helen

01:59

6.98km

150m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: August 9, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Hoover Wilderness

Inyo National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

612 m

Shamrock Lake

Highlight • Lake

Stunning blue alpine lake in 20-Lakes Basin with several small islands.

Tip by

1.16 km

Excelsior Lake

Highlight • Lake

Small alpine lake in the 20-Lakes-Basin. Best time to visit between April and October, depending on snow level.

Tip by

1.50 km

Steelhead Lake

Highlight • Lake

Pretty large alpine lake in the 20-Lakes-Basin. If you bring a fishing rod, you might catch some trout.

Tip by

3.56 km

Greenstone Lake

Highlight • Lake

Cystal clear alpine lake in the 20-Lakes-Basin with some fish and just a quarter mile from the water taxi to Saddlebag Lake Resort.

Tip by

4.06 km

Saddlebag Lake

Highlight • Lake

Large blue alpine lake in the 20-Lakes-Basin. The Saddlebag Lake Resort offers regular trips from the General Store with boat taxi to the back of the lake. You can also rent boats for fishing.

Tip by

6.61 km

Lake Helen

Highlight • Lake

Beautiful alpine lake at 9.900 feet at the northern end of 20-Lakes Basin, where the trail down Lundy Canyon branches off.

Tip by

6.98 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.95 km

Surfaces

6.95 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (3,160 m)

Lowest point (3,070 m)

Weather

Today

Saturday 10 October

14°C

2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 26.0 km/h

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Comments

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Shamrock Lake – Excelsior Lake loop from Lake Helen

Shamrock Lake

Excelsior Lake

Steelhead Lake

Greenstone Lake

Saddlebag Lake

Lake Helen

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