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Duck Pass and Duck Lake
Trail Running Route
Hard
9.32 mi
2,211 ft
A popular out-and-back with incredible alpine views.
Running out-and-back to the top of Duck Pass, or choosing to carry on over the top to Duck Lake, is an ambitious route beginning in the popular Mary Lake area.
The run begins with a steep climb, “but don't let that stop you,” [says Becky from Riverside, CA]( "Once you get past that, it starts to even out and you get the beautiful sceneries that the Sierra Nevadas promises you.”
As the trail slowly ascends the valley, it passes numerous mountain lakes and rushing streams.
The push to the top of Duck Pass switchbacks steeply up a rocky mountainside, but the views from the top of the pass are absolutely stunning! If you’re already tired by this point, the top of the pass is the perfect spot to turn around. If you decide to drop down the other side of the pass to Duck Lake, realize that you’ll have to turn around and climb _back_ up the pass, as you have to retrace the same route to return to the trailhead near Lake Mary.
If you do put in the effort to reach Duck Lake, the reward is totally worth it! Everyone that has visited this lake raves about how stunningly beautiful the deep, dark blue water is. With majestic mountain peaks ringing the lake on all sides, setting up camp and spending a day or two in this alpine paradise sounds like a superb idea!
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Running out-and-back to the top of Duck Pass, or choosing to carry on over the top to Duck Lake, is an ambitious route beginning in the popular Mary Lake area.
The run begins with a steep climb, “but don't let that stop you,” [says Becky from Riverside, CA]( "Once you get past that, it starts to even out and you get the beautiful sceneries that the Sierra Nevadas promises you.”
As the trail slowly ascends the valley, it passes numerous mountain lakes and rushing streams.
The push to the top of Duck Pass switchbacks steeply up a rocky mountainside, but the views from the top of the pass are absolutely stunning! If you’re already tired by this point, the top of the pass is the perfect spot to turn around. If you decide to drop down the other side of the pass to Duck Lake, realize that you’ll have to turn around and climb _back_ up the pass, as you have to retrace the same route to return to the trailhead near Lake Mary.
If you do put in the effort to reach Duck Lake, the reward is totally worth it! Everyone that has visited this lake raves about how stunningly beautiful the deep, dark blue water is. With majestic mountain peaks ringing the lake on all sides, setting up camp and spending a day or two in this alpine paradise sounds like a superb idea!
Sources:
Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Duck Pass Climb. Pain Cave! | 3.84 mi | 1,657 ft | 8.1% |
| Duck Pass Climb | 3.76 mi | 1,604 ft | 8.1% |
| Cold Water Creek Campground Rd Climb | 1.20 mi | 787 ft | 12.3% |
| Cold Water Creek Campground Road Climb | 0.26 mi | 197 ft | 13.9% |
| Sierra High Route Climb | 0.80 mi | 295 ft | 7.0% |
| Sierra High Route Climb | 0.96 mi | 594 ft | 11.7% |
| Final Duck Pass climb | 0.84 mi | 528 ft | 11.9% |
| Sierra High Route Climb | 0.19 mi | 154 ft | 15.1% |
| Duck Pass Drop | 0.87 mi | -518 ft | -11.2% |
| Duck Pass to Cold Water Creek Camp Trailhead | 3.59 mi | -1,601 ft | -8.4% |
| Duck Pass Switchbacks | 0.67 mi | -430 ft | -12.1% |
| Barney Bustle DH | 2.51 mi | -1,030 ft | -7.4% |