California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Duncan

5.2 mi
round trip
704 ft
climb
6,524 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Duncan 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.

Duncan is a moderate hike in the American River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 5 miles long, with a one-way climb of about 700 feet from a low point near 5,900 feet to a high point around 6,500 feet. The route is an out-and-back, and the surface is natural, so plan on a trail that stays close to the ground rather than a developed path. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Tahoe City show July highs around 78°F with lows near 46°F and only about one wet day in the month. Winter brings highs around 40°F and several snowy days each month from December through February. Bikes are allowed, so the trail works for hikers and riders alike. Little Bald Mountain sits just 0.3 miles away, and Robinson Flat Meadow Loop and the Duncan Trail are both within a mile. For an overnight stay, Robinson Flat campground is about a mile off.

Around this trail

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

    Robinson Flat

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Duncan

    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

      40° / 21°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 21°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 24°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 28°

      8 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      59° / 34°

      7 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 46°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 45°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 41°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 33°

      4 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      48° / 26°

      7 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tahoe City, CA, 19.4 mi away at 6,230 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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