Way of the Mono Trail

Way of the Mono Trail is a short interpretive loop on the south shore of Bass Lake, in the Sierra National Forest just outside Oakhurst. At 0.6 miles with an easy grade, it's built for a quick stop rather than a full day out, climbing gently through mixed conifers and across granite slabs to a vista point over the lake and the High Sierra beyond.

What You'll See

Numbered panels along the single-track path explain how the Mono people, the valley's earliest inhabitants, used the surrounding trees and native plants for food, tools, and shelter — turning a short walk into a self-guided lesson on the land's original stewards. The loop finishes at an overlook with one of the better views of Bass Lake, framed by granite and pine.

Trail Details

• Distance: 0.6-mile loop
• Difficulty: Easy
• Surface: Single-track dirt path with granite sections
• Trailhead: Across from the Little Denver Church Day Use Area, off Road 222

Getting There

From Oakhurst, take Highway 41 north about 3.4 miles to Yosemite Forks, then turn east on Road 222 toward Bass Lake. The trailhead has its own small parking area along the lake's south shore, making it easy to pair with a Bass Lake day trip. It's open year-round, and the Forest Service maintains it as one of the easiest interpretive walks in the Bass Lake Ranger District.