California · Hiking

Chaparral Loop

1.1 mi
round trip
92 ft
climb
2,332 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Chaparral Loop 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.

Chaparral Loop is a short, easy hike in the Georgetown Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about a mile long, with a low point of 2,223 feet and a high of 2,332 feet, and it is an out-and-back route with a total elevation gain of about 90 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Georgetown show May highs around 72°F and October highs around 74°F, while July and August average about 91°F. The trail is open year-round, and the Traverse Creek Loop starts just 0.1 mile away. The Bedrock Mortar Trail and Mar Det are each about 0.3 mile off. For an overnight stay, Dru Barner Campground is about 5.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Chaparral Loop

    Best months: February–June and October–November. 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

      52° / 36°

    2. Feb

      55° / 36°

    3. Mar

      59° / 38°

    4. Apr

      64° / 41°

    5. May

      72° / 48°

    6. Jun

      82° / 56°

    7. Jul

      91° / 63°

    8. Aug

      91° / 62°

    9. Sep

      86° / 57°

    10. Oct

      74° / 49°

    11. Nov

      59° / 41°

    12. Dec

      50° / 36°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Georgetown Rs, CA, 4.1 mi away at 3,001 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer 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