California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Heiser Lake

Heiser LakePhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
4.6 mi
round trip
633 ft
climb
8,338 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Heiser Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Heiser Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Heiser Lake is a 4.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California. The route rises from 7,865 feet to 8,338 feet, a gain of about 630 feet, and is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a natural-surface path that allows horses. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F, and fewer wet days from June through September. That station sits about 1,000 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The Mosquito Lakes campground and the Mosquito Lakes to Stanislaus Meadow hike both start about 0.1 mile away. Pacific Valley campground is under a mile off, and Lake Alpine Recreation Area is about 4.8 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Mosquito Lakes

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 14 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Heiser Lake

    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

      36° / 23°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 23°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 26°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 29°

      5 wet

    5. May

      56° / 35°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      66° / 42°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 49°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 36°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 28°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dagget Pass, NV, 32 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Mosquito Lakes to Stanislaus MeadowPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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