Mono Pass Trailhead

View from Mono Pass in early fall

NPS Photo / S. Nobles

Quick Facts

Amenities

2 listed

Animal-Safe Food Storage, Trailhead

This historic trans-Sierra trail climbs gradually through lodgepole pines and past wet meadows. In mid-summer, look for red mountain heather blooming trailside. After the Spillway Lake junction, the trail climbs steadily and more steeply to Mono Pass (elevation 10,600 feet). Don't miss the spectacular view of Mono Lake and Bloody Canyon: from the pass, hike a bit farther toward Upper Sardine Lake.

Distance: 8 miles (12.9 km) round-trip
Elevation gain: 1,000 ft (300 m)
Time estimate: 5-7 hours

Tips & Seasonal Information

This trail includes several unbridged stream crossings. Early in the season, when water can be very high, cold, and swift, use caution when crossing streams or turn back when crossing is not safe.

In early summer, the trail can be very muddy in places. Stay on trail and go through mud puddles rather than around them to preserve delicate plant life in this sensitive ecosystem.

Bicycles and pets are not permitted on hiking trails. A vault toilet is available at the trailhead parking area.

This trailhead is only reachable by vehicle when Tioga Road is open, typically late May or early June to sometime in October or November.

Tioga Road closes after the first significant snowfall. Overnight parking on this road, including this trailhead, ends October 15. For current road and weather information, please call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1).