A memorable road trip to Virginia Lakes in CA
Virginia Lakes is the name given to eight pristine alpine lakes in Mono County in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. A road leads to three of them: Trumbull, Little Virginia and Big Virginia. Topping out at 2.993m (9,819ft) above the sea level it's one of the highest roads of California.
How long is the road to Virginia Lakes in CA?
Located within Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the road to the lake is 9.81km (6.1 miles) long. It’s called Virginia Lakes Road. The journey is an easy Eastern Sierra high country experience. The road is mostly paved. It’s unpaved the last quarter mile. Located far enough off the beaten path to keep the crowds away, the lake’s waters are pristine, clear and cold.
Is the road to Virginia Lakes steep?
Set high in California's magnificent Eastern Sierra, the road to the lakes is pretty steep, hitting an 8% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Conway Summit (U.S. Highway 395), the ascent is 9.81km (6.1 miles) long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 511 meters. The average gradient is 5.20%. The isolated location, hidden beneath Dunderberg Peak and Black Mountain, gives the Virginia Lakes Basin a cozy and quiet vibe, which helps keep the crowds away, making the Virginia Lakes even more appealing to many of us.
Pic: Mono County Tourism - California's Eastern Sierra