East of town and at a lower elevation, the trail to Sherwin Lakes is much less crowded than those in Devils Postpile National Monument and the Lakes Basin and provides valley-long views that are different from those heavily visited locations. The lakes are popular with springtime fishermen, as they're some of the first to be ice free, while birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts are treated to glimpses of nutcrackers, pewees, woodpeckers, ranger buttons, pink monkey flower and angelica. Damage from the August 2008 Sherwins Fire is still visible, even as the landscape continues its slow rejuvenation—all just 2 miles from town.