Crater Meadows Loop

Start at the Horseshoe Lake parking and take the left trail immediately at the junction near the parking (signs say to McCloud). Gently climb to McCloud Lake and continue over Mammoth Pass. Descend the back side of Mammoth Pass and shortly after take the left turn at the junction towards Upper Crater Meadows (you'll return on the right branch). Continue on this Mammoth Pass Cutoff Trail to the junction of this trail with the PCT at Deer Creek. Turn right and descend the PCT to Lower Crater Meadows right below the Red Cones. Immediately after crossing the Deer Creek bridge on the PCT, turn right on the smaller trail and hike up the north side of the meadows. Avoid any faint spurs. Continue up the switchbacks, staying right at the junction opportunity to cutoff towards Reds Meadows. Follow this trail back to the original junction on the Mammoth Pass Cutoff Trail, and hike back over Mammoth Pass to McCloud Lake and then head back to the Horseshoe Lake parking lot.