Hike to Johnson Lake from Baker Creek
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
You'll top out near 10,700 feet. If you drove in from the desert floor that morning, altitude sickness is a real risk — headaches and nausea can hit hard. Consider spending a night at Wheeler Peak Campground to acclimatize before attempting this hike.
Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast from June through September. The upper basin is completely exposed with no shelter. If you hear thunder, descend immediately — the mining ruins are not safe cover.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start by 7 AM — the Baker Creek drainage heats up fast on summer afternoons, and you'll want shade for the brutal return descent on tired legs.
There's no reliable water source above the first mile, so carry at least three liters per person. The lake water requires filtering and the streams above treeline run dry by August.
Spend time exploring the mining ruins near the lake. The old stone cabin walls and scattered equipment are fragile — photograph everything but touch nothing. The best light on the lake hits around midday when the sun clears the cirque walls.
Photos
NPS
