Hike to Tamarack Lakes

This hike starts out at the Rock Creek Lake Trailhead. To get there, turn onto Rock Creek Road from highway 395 at the turn-off for Tom's Place Resort. Follow the road for a few miles until you reach a sign for Rock Creek Lake where you will turn left. Follow this road for a short ways and there will be a campground and parking lot.

The trailhead starts at about 9,600 ft with a steep ascent out of Rock Creek Canyon. After this initial climb the trail will split off to the north and south. Turn left to head north on Sand Canyon Trail. After a mile or so the trail will split again to either continue north or head east towards Dorothy and Tamarack Lakes and into the John Muir Wilderness. This trail will take you all the way to Tamarack Lakes. It starts out as a relatively flat trail, passing small lakes and ponds, but as it turns south into the canyon bordered by Wheeler Ridge, the trail will start to climb. You'll know you're about to hit the lakes because the canyon will be coming to an end. The first lake you will come across is the smaller of the Tamarack lakes. A few hundred feet beyond that will be the main lake which is full of crystal clear water and surrounded by 13,000 ft peaks. Though the trail ends there, a little ways beyond Big Tamarack Lake is Buck Lake, which is worth the short trek. After taking a lunch break at the lakes, head back down the same trail to complete the hike. Make sure you pick up all trash and belongings before you leave. If you want spend the night up there, be sure to get a Wilderness Permit from the White Mountain Ranger Station in Bishop.