Getting There

We chose the Mono Meadow trailhead to begin our journey to Lower Merced Pass Lake, deep in the Yosemite back country. Mono Meadow is located on Glacier Point Rd. It has a spacious parking area. This is not the only access point to Lower Merced Pass Lake, but we had other destinations in the area.

Lower Merced Pass Lake

The Hike

From Mono Meadow you will reach two more trail junctions along the way to Lower Merced Pass Lake. Continue towards Mono Pass and Ottoway Lakes when you reach the signs. It's about 11 miles until you reach Lower Merced Pass Lake. The hike is somewhat grueling. It is almost all uphill for the last 8 miles. The hike to Lower Merced Pass Lake is not for the faint of heart. After following Illilouette Canyon south and uphill you eventually reach a trail junction for Ottoway Lakes and Mono Pass. If you reach this juction you have gone too far. Most people walk right by the "turn off" point to Lower Merced Pass Lake. Lower Merced Pass Lake is not visible from trail so start walking towards it when the trail gets close to the creek at the top of the hill and before you reach the sign.

On the trail to Lower Merced Pass Lake

Crossing a tributary to Illiloutte Creek

The Fishing

The fishing is NOT good at Lower Merced Pass Lake! Lower Merced Pass Lake is Yellow-Legged Frog territory. We ran into USGS scientists who were at Upper Merced Pass Lake to study the frogs. Frog lovers - enjoy! Fish Lovers move on.

Lower Merced Pass Lake

Lower Merced Pass Lake outlet creek