California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Bryan Meadow

6.8 mi
round trip
1,169 ft
climb
8,516 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Bryan Meadow open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

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

Bryan Meadow is a hard hike in the Placerville Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 6.8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,169 feet, taking you from a low point of about 7,340 feet to a high of about 8,516 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days a month. That station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. The trip is open year-round, and the surrounding area offers plenty to pair with it. Sayles Canyon is less than a mile away, and the Pony Express Trail is about a mile off. Climbers can head to East Wall, and Lovers Leap Campground is about 2.7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Camp Sacramento

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Baja Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Baldwin Home

    Museum

    Museum · 11 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Bryan Meadow

    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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 17.1 mi away at 7,334 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.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

      Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Nov 2, 2026 · Forest Service

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Pyramid TrailPhoto: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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