California · Hiking · Near Shaver Lake

Foster Ridge

8.1 mi
round trip
3,788 ft
climb
8,463 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is FOSTER RIDGE open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra National Forest. It doesn't name FOSTER RIDGE, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Foster Ridge is an expert-level out-and-back hike in the High Sierra Ranger District of Sierra National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route starts at about 7,374 feet and climbs to a high point of 8,463 feet, with a total gain of 3,788 feet over the course of the 16.1-mile round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 4.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 19%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Huntington Lake weather station show July and August highs around 74°F with lows near 49°F and only one or two wet days a month. That station sits about 1,400 feet lower than the ridge, so temperatures up high run cooler. Dinkey Creek is just 0.7 miles away, and Bald Mountain is 1.7 miles off. The Western Sierra climbing area is about 2.7 miles away, and the Summit campground is about 3.8 miles away.

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Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit FOSTER RIDGE

    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

      43° / 24°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 26°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    5. May

      56° / 36°

      6 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      74° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 37°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 31°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      44° / 25°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Huntington Lake, CA, 7.8 mi away at 7,020 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.