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Convict Lake
Location: Closest town is Mammoth Lakes just north, about an 12-15
minute drive from the Lake.
Getting There: Just 2 miles southwest of Hwy 395, turnoff from Hwy 395
is roughly halfway along the Mammoth Airport's runway, which runs parallel to
Hwy 395.
Camping/Lodging: Great campground by the lake. Resort with
cabins, general store, and outstanding (as in cuisine versus family food)
restaurant.
Put-In/Take-Out: For car top, go to Windy Point. There is
also a paved launch ramp at the lake.
Good Points: Wonderful scenery. Easy hiking trail circles
the lake. Resort has excellent restaurant and store with reasonable
selection of items. Very close and easy access from Hwy 395
Not-as-Good Points: Campground is decent, across from resort (good),
but most sites not within view of the lake (not as good). That said, much
of the campground follows or is a short distance from Convict Creek which offers
good fishing. The campground is long and narrow, starting below the resort
and reach close to the lake. Wind can be a issue, especially at campsite
closer to the lake.
Lake Size:
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Gallery in this section shows Convict Lake, May 4, 2008.
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Almost could be paddling in Alaska :) |
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Violet paddling Convict. |
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Put in by the parking lot, at the very end of the road into Convict Lake.
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Airport shown on drawing is the Mammoth Yosemite Airport. Campground
"C" runs from below the resort all the way up to the a point across the street
from the lake - there are no actually lakefront sites. "L" is also the
marina location. An easy hiking trail surrounds the lake.
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Photos below show lake during the 2006 fishing season opening
weekend (last week of April). Snow gone from the roads, lake is ice-free.
Packed with the first fishermen of the season! Parking full, although
there was still space in the overflow lot closer to the boat launch ramp area.
While the shoreline bustled with fishermen, there were only a few boats on the
lake. Trees are yet to turn green. "The Pursuit of Jake", a
tagged trout named "Jake", ended at Convict Lake on opening day 2006 with the
lucky angler winning $10,000!
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Looking towards the west end of Convict - towards the boundry of the John Muir Wilderness (about 200 ft from this photo).
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Launch Ramp at Convict Lake
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Looking west, along the protected harbor at the east end of Convict Lake
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View from inside the breakwater of the marina at Convict Lake.
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Photos below were taken during June, 2007 at
Convict Lake
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Kayak in foreground is a StraitEdge single. View looks towards the John Muir Wilderness, boundary of which is at the top end of the lake
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A small fleet of kayaks enjoying the lake
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Fishing along the shore, AdvancedFrame Convertible in foreground
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Kayaking into a stiff breeze on Convict Lake
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Launch ramp at the marina
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Marina at Convict Lake
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Marina building
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Plaque with history of the lake - in this case honoring men lost trying to save 2 children from the ice
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Looking out at the lake from the entrance to the small marina
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Convict Creek runs along side the campground
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View looking Southwest
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An AdvancedFrame Expedition model, heading up the lake.
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Photos below taken October 7, 2007
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Fall colours in the Eastern Sierra.
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Hikers on the trail.
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Looking at the upper end of Convict Lake. Advanced Frame Expedition kayak.
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Snow at lake level. Trail can be seen just above lake's horizon.
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View of the put in "ramp" looking towards parking lot. Paved part of the way down.
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