Deborah Chan
Inyo County, California, is a great honeymoon destination for those who love the outdoors. The county offers 4x4 trails with access to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and southeast of Yosemite National Park. Inyo National Forest features a Honeymoon Lake Trail, which is considered a difficult route with a notable amount of elevation incline. The trail can be completed in one long day or as a backpacking trip. Inyo County also includes the Owens River Valley, flanked by the Sierra Mountains to the west and the White Mountains and Inyo Mountains to the east. Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the Continental United States, is on Inyo County's western border. The county also features several ghost towns, such as Ballarat, Chloride City, and Darwin, which arose from silver and gold discoveries in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Inyo County, California |
| Nearest Town | Mammoth Lakes, CA |
| Coordinates | Latitude 37.3396214, Longitude -118.7433647 |
| Elevation | 6,334 ft higher than Bishop AP |
| Temperature | Average summer high temps are higher than 97% of other locations on record. Average winter low temps are higher than 58% of other locations on record. |
| Precipitation | Average precipitation levels are lower than 99% of other locations on record. |
| Activities | Hiking, backpacking, camping, swimming, fishing, photography |
| Trails | Pine Creek Trail, Mount Perry Trail, Honeymoon Lake Trail |
| Lakes | Honeymoon Lake, Pine Lake, Upper Pine Lake, Lower Honeymoon Lake, Lake Italy, Moon Lake, Star Lake |
| Passes | Pine Creek Pass, Italy Pass, Piute Pass |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon Lake
For those seeking an adventurous honeymoon destination, Honeymoon Lake offers a challenging yet rewarding experience. The Honeymoon Lake Trail is a lengthy route with a significant elevation gain of about 3000 feet, making it a moderately difficult to difficult hike. It is important to come prepared with appropriate hiking gear, including sturdy boots, sun protection, and sufficient water, as the trail offers limited shade.
The trail to Honeymoon Lake begins at the trailhead located near Pine Creek Canyon Road. From Los Angeles, one would take the 395 and turn left onto Pine Creek Canyon Road after passing Bishop. The trailhead can be found at the southern end of the parking lot near Pine Creek Pack Station. The hike follows the Pine Creek Pass Trail, crossing several creeks and offering stunning natural scenery.
Along the trail, hikers are treated to a diverse range of landscapes. The initial portion of the trail has a jungle-like atmosphere, with Juniper, Jeffrey Pine, Aspen, Birch, and Red Fir trees providing a shaded path. The trail then opens up to reveal an old mining road and a view of the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine. After climbing about 1700 feet, hikers will stumble upon the abandoned Brownstone Mine.
Whether you're looking for a challenging hike or a tranquil getaway, Honeymoon Lake in Inyo County promises an unforgettable honeymoon experience, offering breathtaking scenery, adventure, and the opportunity to create lasting memories.
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Pine Creek Canyon
The trail begins at the end of Pine Creek Canyon Road (West), where hikers can park in a dirt lot near Pine Creek Pack Station. The trail starts at the base of the hill, and for the first mile or so, hikers are shaded by Juniper, Jeffrey Pine, Aspen, Birch, and Red Fir trees, giving the area a "jungle-like" feel. The trail then merges with an old mining road and opens up to a view of the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine. The trail climbs about 1700 feet to the Brownstone Mine, which is non-functional and unused.
From there, hikers can continue on to Pine Lake, which sits at 9,942 feet. The view of the lake and the valley below is a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery. The next day, hikers can make their way to Honeymoon Lake, which is 2 miles from Pine Lake. Honeymoon Lake is a popular destination, as it is right along the Pine Creek trail. From Honeymoon Lake, hikers can continue on to Pine Creek Pass/French Canyon, which is a gradual 1,000-foot climb over 1.5 miles. Pine Creek Pass offers picturesque views of two small lakes, and French Canyon provides 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.
For those looking for a longer trip, it is possible to continue on to Lake Italy, Granite Park, and the pass by Mt. Julius Caesar. There are also other Honeymoon Lakes in the area, including Lower Honeymoon Lake and Upper Honeymoon Lake, which are accessible via the Piute Pass trail.
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Hiking trails
Inyo County in California is a great place for a honeymoon, especially if you and your partner enjoy hiking. The county is home to the Inyo National Forest, which offers a plethora of hiking trails that showcase the region's natural beauty.
One popular trail is the Pine Creek to Honeymoon Lake trail, a 12-mile trek that offers a moderate to difficult hike with a 3000-foot elevation gain. Along the way, you'll pass through the Pine Creek Canyon, enjoying the jungle-like atmosphere with Juniper, Jeffrey Pine, Aspen, Birch, and Red Fir trees. The trail then leads to the Pine Creek Tungsten Mine and the unused Brownstone Mine before reaching the picturesque Honeymoon Lake, where you can set up camp and try fishing.
For a shorter hike, consider the Crystal Lake Trail, which offers panoramic views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin. If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue hiking up to Mammoth Crest for even more breathtaking vistas. This trail is part of the popular Big Pine Lakes Trail, which takes you to the first two of the seven Big Pine Lakes. The Second Lake is a particularly popular spot due to the stunning views of Temple Crag in the background.
If you're looking for a challenging hike, the summit of Mt. Whitney will test even the fittest of hikers. This strenuous trail features rocky switchbacks, sheer cliffs, and flowing waterfalls as you make your way to the highest point in the contiguous United States.
Inyo Mountains Wilderness also offers tough, non-technical hikes with splendid views. Keynot Peak, New York Butte, and Mount Inyo are prominent summits in this vast desert range that provide rewarding vistas for those willing to take on the challenge. The Swansea-Cerro Gordo OHV Route, with its 4.5-star rating, is another popular trail in the Inyo Mountains Wilderness, spanning 34.7 miles with an elevation gain of 8,087 feet.
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Death Valley National Park
- Off-roading: If you have an off-roading vehicle, you can explore the miles of backroads that Death Valley has to offer. You can also rent an off-roading vehicle from Farabee's Jeep Rentals just outside of Furnace Creek.
- Stargazing: Death Valley is world-famous for its dark skies.
- Hiking: The Mount Perry Trail starts from the parking area and leads 5 miles to the summit for those looking for a hike.
- Exploring: Park your car and take a short walk up a paved path to reach the viewpoint. You can also get out of the car at Artists Palette and explore to get the best photos.
- Visit Striped Butte: You can visit Striped Butte by taking Goler Canyon Road over Mengel Pass.
- Visit Badwater Basin: The salt flats of Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park are the lowest area in North America.
If you are interested in getting married in Death Valley National Park, you will need to obtain a special-use permit, which secures your date and location for the wedding. You and your guests will also pay a $30 park entry fee at the visitors' centre.
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Mammoth Lakes
There are plenty of accommodation options in Mammoth Lakes, including hotels, motels, cabins, condos, and lodges. Some popular choices for honeymooners include The Westin Monache Resort, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, and Convict Lake Resort. These resorts offer comfortable and spacious rooms with great amenities, such as fireplaces and well-equipped kitchens, perfect for a cosy and romantic getaway.
The area offers a wide range of activities for couples to enjoy. During the winter, skiing and snowboarding are popular choices, with the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range providing stunning views. For a more relaxed day, trout fishing in the streams and lakes around Mammoth Lakes is a popular option. In the summer, there are plenty of hiking trails to explore, as well as mountain biking, zip-lining, and rock climbing for the more adventurous couples.
With its beautiful scenery, romantic atmosphere, and abundance of activities, Mammoth Lakes is a perfect destination for a honeymoon in Inyo County.
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Frequently asked questions
Honeymoon Lake in Inyo National Forest is a popular honeymoon destination. There are three Honeymoon Lakes: Lower, Upper, and Pine Creek. Honeymoon Lake is a 12-mile hike from Pine Creek and is considered a difficult route.
Honeymoon Lake offers fishing, camping, and swimming. The trail to Honeymoon Lake involves a notable amount of elevation incline and steep terrain, so it is recommended that hikers wear hiking boots and sunscreen.
Death Valley National Park offers various activities for honeymooners, including hiking the Mount Perry Trail.
