California · Hiking · Near Shaver Lake

Big Creek

4.4 mi
round trip
3,306 ft
climb
7,624 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is BIG CREEK open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name BIG CREEK, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Big Creek is a hard out-and-back hike in the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route starts at about 6,800 feet and climbs to a high point of 7,624 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,306 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 29 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Huntington Lake weather station, which sits about 600 feet lower, show July and August highs around 74°F with lows near 49°F and only one or two wet days a month. Winter is cold, with January highs around 43°F and lows near 24°F. The hike takes about 4.5 hours. The Grouse Creek mountain biking trailhead is just 0.4 miles away, and Coyote Lake is about 1.6 miles off. For camping, Billy Creek, Lower and Upper Billy Creek Campground are both about 1.8 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Billy Creek, Lower

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Shaver Lake

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit BIG CREEK

    Best months: May–October. 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

      43° / 24°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 26°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    5. May

      56° / 36°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 37°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 25°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntington Lake, CA, 1 mi away at 7,020 ft. The station sits about 600 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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