Little Lakes Valley is on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, between Mammoth and Bishop. As with most east side locations, the fastest route to US-395 is over Tioga pass in Yosemite National Park, where we got out long enough to take a few pictures and let Kade go rock climbing.
After leaving Highway 395 at Tom’s Place, the road climbs steeply along Rock Creek, through the dry sage before entering subalpine forest at about 9000 feet. There are a number of campgrounds along the road- we had a tent-only campsite nestled in the scrubby aspens on the hillside. Beyond the campgrounds are a small lodge and store and the Mosquito Flat trailhead (aptly named) at road’s end.
The area is very popular because it provides easy access to some spectacular areas. The trailhead elevation is over 10,000 feet and has little of the initial uphill climb characteristic of most Eastern Sierra starting points. Dogs are welcome and plentiful- everything east of the crest is in Inyo National Forest .
We spent our time taking short hikes into the wilderness area, rowing on Rock Creek Lake, playing with fire, and cleaning dirt off Kade.