MONO PASS & PARKER PASS
The first snow of 2025-2026…..and it was fabulous!!!
Hiking Summary
This hike is an 11.6 mile hike (out & back) starting at the Mono Pass Trailhead parking lot, just east of Tuolumne Meadows. This hike goes out to Mono Pass (4.0 miles), then backtracks to the Parker Pass branch (0.6 miles back), and then 1.8 miles out to Parker pass.
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 11.6 miles (out & back)
Elevation: ~1,700 ft
Estimated Time: 5-7 hrs (I recently completed the hike in 5.3 hrs; 2.2 mi/hr pace)
Trailhead start/end: Mono Pass Trailhead Parking Lot
Hiking Map
Inspirational Intent
I reach the trailhead at 7:24am. I attempt to silence my mind and determine my intentions for the day. I really need to learn to be ok in my own skin, to not need to alter my mood to feel ok. I pray to my higher power to take these fears and compulsions from me. I obviously can't manage them on my own. Why do I find so many areas of my life so... so blah? At one point I would have given anything to have this life. Do others feel this way? I would assume so. Ok, here we go......
First Excellent View
Around the 1.4 mile mark, you will get a great view of Mammoth Peak.
Looking to the west is Mammoth Peak (12,090 ft), with a nice dusting of snow.
Nearing Mono Pass
Around the 3.5 mile mark, things open up and you will get great views of Mount Lewis, Mammoth Peak and some other landmarks.
Looking south you will see Mount Lewis (12,353 ft).
Looking north you will see Mammoth Peak (far right).
Looking to the west. Behind this ridge is Lyell Canyon.
Looking southwest, some peaks with plenty of snow on them. Somewhere back there is Koip Peak (12,973 ft) & Parker Peak (12,858 ft).
Old Miner’s Cabins
Around the 3.7 mile mark, there is a trail off to the west that leads to some old miner’s cabin. I did not make it there because the snow got too deep and I didn’t bring my snow shoes. But if you ever go on this hike, it’s a must see. The cabins are only 0.3 miles down this trail.
This is the start of the 0.3 miles trail going west to the old miner’s cabins.
Looking to the northwest you will see a mirror image of Mammoth Peak on a small lake.
Behind this tree line lies the old miner’s cabins. Apparently, many other animals liked traveling by these cabins…..
Mono Pass
Around the 4.0 mile mark, you will reach Mono Pass and a great view of Mount Lewis with Summit Lake in front of it.
Looking south, you will see the sign for Mono Pass with Mount Lewis in the background.
Trail to Parker Pass
Around the 3.7 mile mark from the trailhead (4.3 miles overall), there is a branch off to the west that leads to Paeker Pass (only 1.8 miles away & 480 ft more ft elevation). This extra hiking is definitely worth adding to the Mono Pass hike. I mean, you are right here anyway.....lol
Trail to Parker Pass.
After about 0.1 miles down the Parker Pass trail, if you look to the north you will see White Mountain far in the distance.
Looking to the south, you will see Mount Lewis. Are those bear tracks going to the miner’s cabins???
Looking to the southwest, you will see some nice peaks with Parker Peak hiding back there.
Only about 0.4 miles from Parker Pass and looking south. Parker Pass is just over that ridge.
Parker Pass
After 6.4 miles of hiking (1.8 miles down Parker Pass Trail), you will get to Parker Pass (elevation 11,100 ft).
Sign at Parker Pass (11,100 ft).
Looking south from Parker Pass. Parker Peak on the right partially covered with clouds.
Looking north from Parker Pass. Mammoth Peak on the Left and Mount Conness (12,550 ft) with the snow on it on the far right side,
Hiking Back From Parker Pass
The 1.8 miles back from Parker Pass to the Mono Pass Trail display amazing views while looking to the north and to the west. The views hiking back are arguably better than hiking towards Parker Pass.
Looking north; Ragged Peak on the left (10,867 ft) and Mount Conness (12,550 ft) & North Peak (12,232 ft) on the right.
Looking west.
Hiking Journal - Enlightenment Summary
As I am hiking, I start focusing on my breathing and I start to experience gratitude. I really do have a great life. I am healthy, stable, financially responsible and because I am sober, I am making mostly good choices. My only real complaint; I don't like how I feel most of the time. But when I look back at how often I would focus on trying to make myself feel better, I was causing all kinds of chaos in my life by the actions that followed trying to make myself feel ok.
So, how do I plan to combat these moments when I can't stand the way I feel and want to alter them? Well, returning to the present moment and step back spiritually and realize they are just feelings and they will pass. I can then ask my higher power for help and then go back to doing the next right thing. Additionally, I can focus on helping someone else.
I really should learn to have more patience and grace with myself. After 30+ years of altering the way I feel, I can't expect to be over this issue in a few months or even a few years. I can love myself. I should love myself more. I will love myself more, because I am worth loving.