Miles and Moments

There’s something magical about watching your daughters discover the mountains the same way you once did — with awe, laughter, and muddy boots. In October, I took my daughters, Riley and Reese, on a backpacking trip through one of California’s most spectacular alpine corridors — Little Lakes Valley, in the heart of the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

Our trail began at Mosquito Flats, the highest trailhead in the Sierra that you can drive to, sitting at nearly 10,300 feet above sea level. From the very first step, crisp mountain air filled our lungs, and granite peaks framed the horizon. It felt like stepping into a postcard — except this one was real, and it was ours.

Day 1: Into the Valley – Mosquito Flats to Long Lake

The trail wound gently through a series of shimmering alpine lakes — each one more beautiful than the last. We passed Mack Lake first, its mirror-still surface reflecting the jagged peaks of the Bear Creek Spire range. Just beyond was Marsh Lake, tucked between meadows and pine stands glowing gold in the late-season light.

By the time we reached Heart Lake, the valley truly opened. The granite cliffs seemed to grow taller, the air cooler, and the sense of remoteness deeper. The girls stopped often to take photos and point out tiny waterfalls and patches of early-season snow melting into the streams that connected the lakes.

After about three miles, we reached Long Lake, our home for the next two nights. The name fits — it stretches elegantly between two ridges, its deep blue waters catching the last light of day like glass. We found a perfect spot to set up our tents just above the lake’s edge, with enough distance from the trail to feel completely alone.

Dinner that night was the backpacker’s classic: freeze-dried meals rehydrated with hot water from our camp stove. To our surprise, they weren’t bad at all (especially when eaten under a sky exploding with stars). As the temperature dropped below freezing, we burrowed into our 0-degree sleeping bags — warm, cozy, and thankful for every layer.

Day 2: Exploring Chickenfoot Lake and Jim Lake

The next morning, we set off with light packs for a day hike deeper into the valley. The trail climbed gently past Long Lake’s northern shore, then curved upward toward Chickenfoot Lake — named (as the girls quickly noticed) for its shape when seen from above.

The air was crisp and clear, and small snow patches lingered in the shady spots along the trail. We stopped at Chickenfoot Lake to rest, eat snacks, and cast our fishing lines into the icy water. The fish weren’t biting much, but the serenity of that place was reward enough.

From there, we continued to Jim Lake, one of the more remote and lesser-traveled lakes in the valley. The landscape began to feel wild — fewer hikers, quieter winds, and granite cliffs that seemed to watch over us. A thin layer of ice rimmed the lake’s edge, and the girls delighted in hopping across stones near the outflow stream.

We had the lake entirely to ourselves — no bears, no chipmunks, no crowds. Just the sound of wind over water and the crunch of boots on snow. The Eastern Sierra has a way of silencing the world, and for a few hours, that silence felt sacred.

Day 3: Back to the Trailhead

After another cold but peaceful night at Long Lake, we packed up camp and made our way back toward Mosquito Flats. Morning light spilled through the valley, setting the peaks on fire with pink and orange hues.

On the descent, we passed familiar landmarks — Heart Lake, Marsh Lake, Mack Lake — but now they felt different. We’d lived in those mountains for a few days; the terrain had become part of our story.

The hike back was easy, the packs a little lighter, and our hearts a little fuller. Riley and Reese were already talking about which lake they’d like to return to next summer. (Spoiler: Jim Lake won.)

Trip Reflections

Little Lakes Valley is one of the most accessible yet rewarding backpacking routes in the Sierra Nevada. In just a few miles, you can experience everything that makes the high Sierra iconic — crystal-clear lakes, granite peaks, alpine meadows, and even the possibility of snow, even in early fall.

For families, it’s an ideal introduction to backpacking: short distances, well-defined trails, and plenty of jaw-dropping scenery. And yet, even seasoned hikers will find themselves humbled by the raw beauty here.

We may not have seen any bears or critters (thanks in part to our bear canisters), but we did spot something rarer — pure connection. Between parent and child, between human and nature, and between the fleeting and the eternal moments that only the mountains can give you.

If You Go

Trailhead: Mosquito Flats (Rock Creek Road, near Tom’s Place, CA)

Elevation: ~10,300 ft at trailhead

Round Trip Distance: ~7–8 miles to Jim Lake and back

Best Season: July through October (before snow closes the road)

Permits: Overnight wilderness permit required (Inyo National Forest)

Tips:

• Bring layers — even in early fall, temperatures can drop into the 20s.
• Bear canisters are required for overnight trips.
• Fishing licenses are needed if you plan to fish.
• 0° sleeping bags are worth every ounce of extra weight.

Moments That Matter

Travel is often measured in miles — but on this trip, it was measured in moments.

Moments of laughter echoing across frozen lakes.

Moments of quiet pride as I watch my daughters carry their packs up the trail.

Moments when the world felt beautifully simple.

This is what Miles and Moments is all about — not just where we go, but how we grow through every journey.