Kayaking Silver Lake & Rush Creek

Silver Lake to Rush Creek is a destination paddle with a unique, exploratory feel – bound to be a highlight of your 395 road trip or camping weekend at the June Lake Loop.

I was camping at June Lake, sitting around a campfire to celebrate my friend’s ‘socially distant birthday’ and planning what we were going to do in the morning. I pulled up a map of the area showing the June Lake Loop—the scenic drive just north of Mammoth Ski Resort – following the chain of lakes that is June, Gull, Silver, and Grant.

“What if we paddled all the lakes?” I asked, “with some sort of car shuttle?”

“All the lakes?” birthday girl replied. “You’re crazy!” 

“Look at the map,” I said, “this little creek seems to link‘em all up…”

The next morning, I made a round of calls to local gear shops and rental outfitters. Turns out, I was crazy – but only half crazy. The stream did indeed connect all four lakes on the loop, but the locals told me that rocks and a dam and would prevent a paddle between all of them (or at least make them pretty hard, and in a couple places, fairly dangerous.) But one section of the creek got recommended again and again.

We packed our bags for the day and drove to our put-in a few miles down the road, across the street from Silver Lake Resort. The beach is so small, we passed by it twice Compared to June Lake, I found Silver to be peaceful, with far less road noise—and absolutely stunning views of the rugged Eastern Sierra. Mountains that make Tahoe’s trails feel like friendly foothills. As we kayaked across the lake, we watched the grassy and wooded coastline for the inlet to Rush Creek. On a clear Saturday afternoon in July, it wasn’t difficult to find – and we were excited to do it.

We paddled up the creek. We had never paddled up a creek before, and it got our heart beats going – but luckily Rush creek wasn’t rushing too fast and we made slow but steady progress upstream. After exploring so many lakes earlier in the summer, checking out a creek was a fun change of pace. (Note that this stream isn’t whitewater—if you have a moderate fitness level, you can definitely do this paddle.)

While you won’t be alone on the water, we found there to be plenty of space for everyone. We spent the uphill section of the paddle leapfrogging with other groups as all took turns with photo-ops and picnic breaks.

My favorite part about this paddle is the variety of environments it offers to explore.  Leaving Silver Lake and heading up the creek, you’ll pass a few enviable second homes along the left bank, followed by grassy wetlands, rocky outcroppings, and windy turns through the forest with branches stretching over your kayak or SUP. And with every turn, you’ll catch a fresh look at the majestic Eastern Sierras in their dramatic steeps and snags.

As you continue up the creek, you’ll begin to encounter more anglers and swimmers as the water meanders closer to the road. Give ‘em a wave and keep paddling—your turnaround point will be obvious when the Route 158 crosses over the creek and you can’t paddle any further.

Take a break and a snack in the lagoon, and enjoy your float home. You will have earned it.