Bull Run Lake–Mosquito Lake, 3 lakes
7.4 mi · ▲ 1,638 ft · 3 hr 17 min
Bull Run Lake–Mosquito Lake, 3 lakes is a 7.4-mile out-and-back near Cape Horn, CA. The route passes Mosquito Lake before reaching Bull Run Lake at the turnaround, 3.7 miles in. It climbs 1,638 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 75/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bull Run Lake–Mosquito Lake, 3 lakes
7.4 mi · ▲ 1,638 ft · 3 hr 17 min
Elevation 7,817–8,368 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Heiser Lake Trail · 38.51535, -119.91495
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:46 AM · sunset 7:01 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route
- Start on Heiser Lake Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Mosquito Lake.
- 1.5 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Bull Run Lake Trail, heading SE.
- 1.4 miReach Bull Run Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.4 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.8 miSharp left onto Heiser Lake Trail, heading NE.
- 1.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.3 mi in (~104 min). Leave by 4:58 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Heiser Lake Trail Trailhead
- Mosquito Lake–Heiser Lake Trail, 5 sights 14.5 mi · ▲ 4,221 ft
- Heiser Lake–Mosquito Lake, 4 sights 3.9 mi · ▲ 1,013 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Cape Horn, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Cape Horn, California