Sunset at Horseshoe Lake

Landscape Photography

Horseshoe Lake, located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, is one of the many stunning lakes in the Sierra Mountain range. The lake is surrounded by a picturesque trail that offers various vantage points of the lake itself, the lush forest, the slopes of Mammoth Crest, and the southern flank of Mammoth Mountain. However, the area has been significantly impacted by a high concentration of carbon dioxide, which has led to the death of many trees. This gas has been seeping to the surface since 1989, following an earthquake that created underground pathways allowing the CO2 to escape from beneath Mammoth Mountain. Despite this environmental challenge, the lake remains a beautiful and worthwhile destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.