California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Cole Creek Loop

7.6 mi
round trip
2,716 ft
climb
6,903 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is COLE CREEK 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.

Cole Creek Loop is an expert-level out-and-back hike in the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 15 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 2,716 feet, and it starts at roughly 6,200 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 4.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 17 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with only two or three wet days a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. South Shore Campground and Pardoes Point Campground both lie about 0.2 miles from the trail. Bear River Reservoir, about 1.4 miles away, offers cross-country skiing, and the Gamma Quadrant climbing area is about 1.8 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    South Shore Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Blue Bear Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 12 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit COLE CREEK LOOP

    Best months: May–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

      43° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 28.4 mi away at 6,314 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.

    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