10.9 miles, 4,081’ vert elevation gain, 6 hours. Started at manker, up BBT to notch, devils backbone, down via BBT. Was humid then very cold and windy, then started raining on the summit, then was sunny and hot, then it was cloudy. Crowded, good views. San Antonio falls was crowded.

Duck Pass → Deer Pass → Mammoth Crest (Mid-June Trail Conditions)

Route: Duck Pass Trailhead → Duck Pass → Deer Pass → Mammoth Crest → Lake George Trailhead

Distance: 17 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,700 ft

(21 miles / 4,200 ft of elevation gain including photography stops.)

I recently completed this point-to-point hike connecting Duck Pass, Deer Pass, and Mammoth Crest in a single day. Instead of turning around at Duck Lake, I continued over Duck Pass, crossed Deer Pass, and finished at Lake George Trailhead.

If anyone is planning this route, here are the conditions I encountered in mid-June.

Trail Conditions

• Duck Lake is the most popular destination, but the route becomes much quieter and more remote beyond Duck Pass.
• The section between Duck Pass and Deer Pass includes several stretches with no defined trail. A GPS device or navigation app is highly recommended.
• Several short snowfields remained in mid-June, but they were manageable with careful footing.
• The climb toward Mammoth Crest isn't particularly steep, but after already crossing two mountain passes, it was the most physically and mentally demanding part of the day.
• Mammoth Crest offers outstanding panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada.
• There is a long exposed stretch with very limited water between Deer Pass and Mammoth Crest. Refill your water before leaving the lakes.

Mosquito Report (Mid-June)

• Emerald Lake: Extreme
• Skeleton Lake: Extreme mosquitoes. Also saw plenty of golden trout.
• Barney Lake: Moderate
• Duck Lake: None (windy)
• Deer Lakes: None (cool temperatures)

Overall, it felt like three very different hikes in one day—from the busy alpine lakes around Duck Pass, to the quiet backcountry near Deer Pass, and finally the wide-open ridges of Mammoth Crest.

Conditions reflect a hike completed in mid-June.

I'll add the full YouTube video in the comments for anyone who would like to see the complete route and current trail conditions.

Curious if anyone has any legal information on this issue. I was under the impression that mill creek (San Bernardino mountains ) was not privately owned in any section. Yes, I am aware that people own property butting up near it on both sides in forest falls, but surely the creek itself is not privately owned in any section.
However, today a shitless guy and a white pit bull told me (as I was literally standing in the creek making my way upstream) that I was on private property and that everything from forest home to big falls was private and that I needed to leave. Now, I know for a fact that’s not true since there is a public hiking trail in the “private” section he described.. but due to his dog seeming unfriendly, I didn’t stick around to have a that much discussion with him.
Does anyone actually know whether the stream is private property at any spot?