01
Best overall pick
Olancha Pass Trail
Sage Flat Trailhead West Of Olancha • Classic Sierra Pass Hike From Desert Foothills To Forested High Country • Local Favorite For A Full-Day Outing
A stout climb from sagebrush slopes into cool pine forest with sweeping views back over the Owens Valley.
Starting from Sage Flat just outside town, the Olancha Pass Trail gives you a real taste of the Pacific Crest Trail corridor without a long approach. The route climbs steadily past creek crossings and into tall pines, with long views over Olancha and the desert as you gain the pass. It is a solid, moderately strenuous day hike that feels remote but remains straightforward to follow.
02
Big summit objective
Olancha Peak via Olancha Pass
High Sierra Above Olancha Pass • Long, High-Elevation Summit Push With Off-Trail Scrambling • Best For Strong, Experienced Hikers
A serious full-day mission to a 12,000-foot-class summit with commanding views up and down the Southern Sierra.
From Olancha Pass, ambitious hikers can continue on toward Olancha Peak, leaving the main trail to pick a line through trees and boulders to the broad summit. The route is not signed or manicured, so you will need solid navigation, plenty of daylight, and comfort on uneven granite. In return, you get a wild-feeling peak with a fraction of the crowds found on better-known Sierra summits to the north.
03
Most scenic short hike
Mobius Arch Loop, Alabama Hills
Alabama Hills Near Lone Pine • Short, Family-Friendly Loop Through Sculpted Granite And Arches • Best For Photos And Sunset Strolls
A gentle loop weaving through rounded boulders to a natural rock arch framing the jagged Sierra skyline.
About half an hour south of Olancha, the Alabama Hills offer a striking contrast to the high peaks behind them, and the Mobius Arch Loop is the easiest way to see why locals love this area. The path is sandy but mostly flat, winding among movie-famous rock formations and delivering a perfect view of the Sierra through Mobius Arch. Go near sunrise or sunset for cooler temperatures and soft light on the stone and mountains.
04
Best high-alpine escape
Cottonwood Lakes Trail from Horseshoe Meadow
Horseshoe Meadow Southwest Of Lone Pine • High-Elevation Pine Forest And Alpine Lake Basin Hike • Best For Summer Heat Relief And Overnight Trips
A steady but rewarding climb from a lofty meadow trailhead into a bowl of clear alpine lakes beneath granite peaks.
Reaching Horseshoe Meadow requires a long, winding drive, but you start hiking at over 9,000 feet, which makes the air feel crisp even on hot valley days. The Cottonwood Lakes Trail threads through lodgepole pine forest and open meadows before easing into a wide basin dotted with lakes that are popular with backpackers and anglers. Day hikers can turn around at the lower lakes, while those with permits often push deeper for a quiet overnight under the stars.
05
Most surprising landscape shift
Darwin Falls Trail
Darwin Canyon On The West Side Of Death Valley • Desert Wash Walk To A Shaded Spring-Fed Waterfall • Best For A Cool Break On A Desert Day
An easy canyon ramble that leaves open desert behind and finishes at a tucked-away waterfall and lush greenery.
A bit farther from Olancha but still realistic for a day trip, the Darwin Falls Trail starts in a typical dry wash before narrowing into a surprisingly verdant canyon. As you follow the trickling stream, the walls close in, the shade deepens, and brush and trees crowd the banks, ending at a small waterfall that feels worlds away from the highway. It is short and mostly gentle underfoot, making it a good option when you want more atmosphere than mileage.