Sanford Lake

California

Caution todayCalifornia
Caution today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

1.0 mi

Distance

371 ft

Gain

Conditions: Caution

for hike, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 23 h ago · oldest 23 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    21 active alerts in Tahoe National Forest; most severe: Floriston Fire Closure

    USFSPosted Oct 6 · checked 23 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clouds, high 78°F / low 57°F, 0% precip — 97/100 for hike

    OpenWeather23 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

Quick trip — under 2 mi
Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Sanford Lake

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Elevation & route

Distance
1.0 mi
Elevation gain
371 ft
Highest point
7,457 ft
Lowest point
7,069 ft
More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service
Bikes
Allowed
Horses
Allowed
Surface
Natural

Source for bikes, horses, surface: USDA Forest Service National Forest System Trails (EDW)

About this trail

Sanford Lake is a short out-and-back trail in California's Forest Service system covering 0.98 miles. The route follows a straightforward path to the lake and returns via the same trail.

Facts about this trail

The climb

High point
7,457 ft
Length (round trip)
1 mi
Shape
Out and back

Source: Roamze elevation profile and trail geometry (DEM samples along the mapped route)

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Tahoe National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Add to a trip & share

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Guided trips nearby

Local operatorsoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Alpenglow Expeditions

Hiking business nearby (~24 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator