California · Hiking · Near Nevada City

Downey Lake

Downey LakePhoto: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.7 mi
round trip
291 ft
climb
7,196 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Downey Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

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

Downey Lake is a short, easy hike in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.7 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 291 feet, and it follows a natural surface. It is an out-and-back route, starting at a low point of about 6,885 feet and reaching a high point of about 7,196 feet. The trail is open year-round, and the Forest Service allows both horses and bikes. That makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Sagehen Creek, which sits about 860 feet lower, show July highs around 80°F with lows near 37°F. Winter is cold, with January highs around 40°F and lows near 15°F. Round Lake is about 0.2 miles away and Sanford Lake about 0.4 miles. Grouse Ridge campground is about half a mile off, and the Island Lake Boulders climbing area is about a mile away.

Around this trail

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

    Sanford Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Golden Drift Museum

    Museum

    On your way back · 18 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Nevada City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Downey Lake

    Best months: June–August. 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

      40° / 15°

    2. Feb

      41° / 15°

    3. Mar

      48° / 19°

    4. Apr

      53° / 22°

    5. May

      62° / 28°

    6. Jun

      72° / 32°

    7. Jul

      80° / 37°

    8. Aug

      79° / 35°

    9. Sep

      73° / 31°

    10. Oct

      61° / 24°

    11. Nov

      49° / 20°

    12. Dec

      39° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sagehen Creek, CA, 19.6 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 900 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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