California · Hiking

Glacier Lake

Glacier LakePhoto: ray_explores, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
5.8 mi
round trip
642 ft
climb
7,581 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Glacier 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.

Glacier Lake is a moderate hike of about 5.8 miles in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 642 feet, starting at roughly 6,924 feet and reaching about 7,581 feet at the high point. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Sagehen Creek weather station, about 19 miles away, show July highs near 80°F with lows around 37°F, and the station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. Round Lake and Downey Lake are both within a mile, Grouse Ridge campground is about 1.2 miles away, and the Island Lake Boulders climbing area is about 1.5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Glacier 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, 19.1 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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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