California · Hiking · Hoover Wilderness

Beartrap

BeartrapPhoto: dogplusplus, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
7.7 mi
round trip
1,854 ft
climb
9,899 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Beartrap open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name Beartrap, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Beartrap is a hard hike in California's Hoover Wilderness, part of the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The trail is about 7.7 miles long, with an elevation gain of 1,854 feet, and it is an out-and-back route that climbs from a low point of 8,036 feet to a high point of 9,899 feet. The nearest town is Sonora Junction, about 9 miles away. The trail is on natural surface and is open year-round. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows, which sits about 1,200 feet lower, show July highs around 71°F and lows near 38°F. That station's figures are not directly comparable to the higher ground on this hike, which runs cooler. Fremont Lake and Chain of Lakes are both within a mile of the trail. Leavitt Meadows Campground and Obsidian Campground are about 6.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Beartrap

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 13°

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 15°

    4. Apr

      45° / 22°

    5. May

      54° / 27°

    6. Jun

      65° / 33°

    7. Jul

      71° / 38°

    8. Aug

      70° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      47° / 20°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tuolumne Meadows Rs, CA, 27.2 mi away at 8,694 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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