Rush Creek (Gem Lake) trailhead to Thousand Island Lake - 2019

Trip Type: 3/4 Day Out and Back or Loop Trip

Trailhead to Thousand Island Lake: 11.5 miles

Altitude Gain: 3,000 feet

Trail Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

Trail Traffic: Very High during high season (July-Sept)

WSH Trip Rating: 3 out of 5 stars:  Largely built on the views of Banner from Thousand Island Lake.  The hike from Rush Creek to Waugh Lake is forgettable.  Were it not for the epic Banner views I'd probably give this a 2 out of 5.  I'm not a fan of dammed/man made lakes.  

The Hike:  This is an Eastern Sierra Entrance.  For those familiar with the Sierra this means a fairly challenging Day 1.  While entering from Rush Creek is tame relative to other entrances on the East Side (save maybe Cottonwood), it's still a very tough first couple miles - particularly if you get a late start.    

The initial 2.2 miles to Agnew Lake delivers 1,300 of elevation gain but what makes this rough is the hot dry sunward facing slope with no shade.  I recommend you take this on early in the morning for best comfort.  Agnew Lake is a forgettable - a dammed lake apparently used for hydroelectric use with no camping.  

Keep moving on!  Gem Lake up next - again another hot, dry, exposed slope as you'll put in another 600' of gain in a mile - again reaching Gem Lake - another dammed lake and again unforgettable.  Here the trail levels off or undulates (up and down) as you skirt around the northeast side of the lake.  In early season you may be faced with an interesting stream crossing at the far end of the lake but generally this is tame and crossable.  Again there are no campsites at Gem worth stopping at.  The first opportunity to make camp of any kind is just past Gem Lake (approximately 5 miles in) - just after two small "Billy Lakes".  While beautiful this area is a mosquito mess in early season.  

As you continue to Waugh Lake there are areas along Rush Creek to make camp and this area is where the hike starts to really shine.  The Creek is stunning as it flows quickly down the valley from Waugh to Gem Lake.  If you're team doesn't have the energy or time to make it to the far end of Waugh Lake I recommend finding and making camp along this section as there are no useful camp areas along the North side of Waugh Lake (another dammed lake).  Camping at the far end of Waugh is about 8 miles from the trailhead so plan accordingly as that'll be about miles and 2,200' of elevation gain in hot sun - depending on departure time.

From Waugh  follow the trail to the PCT trail and head South to Island Pass.  This is hardly a "pass" but it a bit more uphill but the hard stuff is behind you.  This hike is pleasant and beautiful.   Make the pass and follow the trail to Thousand Island Lake - get ready for some BREATHTAKING views of Banner.  Certainly one of the most epic views in the Sierra.

Due to heavy snow conditions (2019) we made this an out and back trip but I highly recommend making a loop out of this one.  There are actually two ways to accomplish this.  Both start by leaving the JMT at the Eastern end of Thousand Island Lake and heading to Clark and Summit Lake to the East (Summit Pass).  Here you can either take the trail North towards Gem Lake to connect back up with the original trail you cam in on just West of Gem Lake (at Billy Lakes) or you can continue East towards Spooky Meadow at the base of Carson Peak taking the rough trail down to Agnew Lake and meeting up with the original trail at the outlet of Agnew Lake.  Either work but trail maintenance in this area seems lacking.

Trail Notes: There is ample backpacker parking at the trail head on the West side of HWY 158 (June Lake Loop) right at the North end of Silver Lake.

It's pretty straightforward to get to the Rush Creek (Gem Lake) trailhead.  Get yourself to HWY395.  

From the Bay Area head through Yosemite, over Tioga Pass, hang a right and leave HWY 395 at HWY158, the June Lake Junction.  Head about 9 miles to the trailhead parking (on your right just as you get to Silver Lakes)

From the Los Angeles Area head north on HWY 395, through Bishop, and make a left at the June Lake Loop (HWY158) about 15 miles past the Mammoth Lakes turn off.  Follow HWY 158 through the small town of June Lake for about 7 miles to the trailhead on your left (at the North end of Silver Lake).