Waterfall at Silver Lake

[jessegooddog]

I had to return home before I could explore this amaazing horsetail/bridalviel fall above Silver Lake in the June Lakes area that is flowing so dramaticalling over this 4th of July weekend. The gate to the Edison parking lot in front of the fall shuts off the parking lot, but the area does not appear to be fenced off. I would like to know if there is a trail or if access is only by climbing all those boulders. I expect to return in 2 -3 weeks and hope it will still be flowing.

[hwy395lvrz]

Are you talking about the snowmelt coming from Agnew and Gem Lakes above Silver Lake.The trail to the higher country begins behind the cabins at the Silver Lake Resort.It's about a 2,500 ft. climb to Gem from there.

[jessegooddog]

Yes, that is probably the same waterfall, now that I have read about that hike. I wonder how close the trail goes to the falls...

[Wandering Daisy]

A sign on the trail informed me that LA Power and Light plans to empty Agnew Lake and lower Gem Lake over the summer in order to repair the dams. A week ago water levels at Agnew Lake were down considerably and Gem Lake was down about 20 feet (a bit when I came out due to increased snowmelt). So there will be purposeful releases and the waterfall will run until repairs begin. If really interested in the timing, you may want to call LAPL. There is another smaller seasonal waterfall to the north of the falls from Rush Creek. The trail crosses this smaller creek just under the falls. One of the upper switchbacks on the trail to Agnew Lake gets fairly close to the outlet falls. I have never tried to go over to the falls. It is very cliffy up there.