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Unlimited Recreation
Twin Lakes are a pair of pristine alpine lakes nestled in the Eastern Sierra.
Each lake is about two miles long and one-third mile wide. They are separated by a small spillway and a short stretch of Robinson Creek. The elevation of the lake surfaces are 7,000 feet; the surrounding ridgetops tower above 12,000 feet. Each lake has a spectacular view of Sawtooth Ridge, the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park. The lakes are mostly surrounded by Toiyabe National Forest.
Fishing - The lakes are well known for trophy trout. Most fishing is done with bait and lures although fly fishing is popular on nearby Robinson Creek and also on Green Creek. The fishing season extends from late April through mid October. Marinas are available on each lake to meet all needs of fishermen. The marinas stock the lakes with large, mature rainbow and brown trout, supplementing the natural fishery and fingerlings planted by the California Division of Wildlife.
Boating and Water Sports - Lower Twin Lake is a no-wake lake (maximum speed: 5 mph). Upper Twin Lake permits fast boating including water skiing and jet skiing between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. Fishing boats are available for rent at the marinas on each lake. If you rent a boat on the Lower Lake, you can motor directly to the cabin and tie up your boat at water's edge, if the lake is full. If you bring your own boat for water sports, you can rent a slip on the Upper Lake and motor to the sandy beach nearest the cabin. Although most mornings are glassy calm, there is sometimes an afternoon wind off the Sierra that makes for fun sailing with small sailboats or a sailboard.
Swimming - The water is crystal clear and great for swimming. Water temperatures are similar to Lake Tahoe (usually mid to low 60's in early summer, warming to the low 70's in mid August). Mid day air temperatures typically range from the 50's to low 70's in the spring and fall, warming to the mid-80's in summer. All weather, of course, is variable.
Hiking - There is an extensive system of hiking trails in the surrounding national forests, many of them leading into the nearby Hoover Wilderness area. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant. Perhaps the most popular is Robinson Creek trail, through a beautiful open meadow leading to picturesque Barney Lake (8 miles round trip). For a shorter hike, take the footpath along the southern shore line of the Upper Lake (2 miles one way). Another popular trail follows Horse Creek from its mouth, a short, shady and sometimes steep hike past a series of classic Sierra waterfalls. The ambitious can do a day hike into Yosemite backcountry via Peeler Lake (15 miles round trip).
Biking - Cyclists enjoy riding to Mono Village (4 miles round trip, paved), riding around the Lower Lake (4 miles, half paved) or whizzing down to Bridgeport (13 miles one way, paved). There are a few off-road trails below Lower Twin Lake near Robinson Creek and numerous off road trails on the south side of Bridgeport. Some bikers drive into Mammoth Lakes to enjoy the lifts, dirt trails and terrain park offered by Mammoth Mountain or the paved Lakes Basin scenic trail.
Each lake is about two miles long and one-third mile wide. They are separated by a small spillway and a short stretch of Robinson Creek. The elevation of the lake surfaces are 7,000 feet; the surrounding ridgetops tower above 12,000 feet. Each lake has a spectacular view of Sawtooth Ridge, the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park. The lakes are mostly surrounded by Toiyabe National Forest.
Fishing - The lakes are well known for trophy trout. Most fishing is done with bait and lures although fly fishing is popular on nearby Robinson Creek and also on Green Creek. The fishing season extends from late April through mid October. Marinas are available on each lake to meet all needs of fishermen. The marinas stock the lakes with large, mature rainbow and brown trout, supplementing the natural fishery and fingerlings planted by the California Division of Wildlife.
Boating and Water Sports - Lower Twin Lake is a no-wake lake (maximum speed: 5 mph). Upper Twin Lake permits fast boating including water skiing and jet skiing between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. Fishing boats are available for rent at the marinas on each lake. If you rent a boat on the Lower Lake, you can motor directly to the cabin and tie up your boat at water's edge, if the lake is full. If you bring your own boat for water sports, you can rent a slip on the Upper Lake and motor to the sandy beach nearest the cabin. Although most mornings are glassy calm, there is sometimes an afternoon wind off the Sierra that makes for fun sailing with small sailboats or a sailboard.
Swimming - The water is crystal clear and great for swimming. Water temperatures are similar to Lake Tahoe (usually mid to low 60's in early summer, warming to the low 70's in mid August). Mid day air temperatures typically range from the 50's to low 70's in the spring and fall, warming to the mid-80's in summer. All weather, of course, is variable.
Hiking - There is an extensive system of hiking trails in the surrounding national forests, many of them leading into the nearby Hoover Wilderness area. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant. Perhaps the most popular is Robinson Creek trail, through a beautiful open meadow leading to picturesque Barney Lake (8 miles round trip). For a shorter hike, take the footpath along the southern shore line of the Upper Lake (2 miles one way). Another popular trail follows Horse Creek from its mouth, a short, shady and sometimes steep hike past a series of classic Sierra waterfalls. The ambitious can do a day hike into Yosemite backcountry via Peeler Lake (15 miles round trip).
Biking - Cyclists enjoy riding to Mono Village (4 miles round trip, paved), riding around the Lower Lake (4 miles, half paved) or whizzing down to Bridgeport (13 miles one way, paved). There are a few off-road trails below Lower Twin Lake near Robinson Creek and numerous off road trails on the south side of Bridgeport. Some bikers drive into Mammoth Lakes to enjoy the lifts, dirt trails and terrain park offered by Mammoth Mountain or the paved Lakes Basin scenic trail.