California · Hiking · Carson-Iceberg Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Heiser Lake Ext.

Heiser Lake Ext.Photo: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.9 mi
round trip
159 ft
climb
8,439 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Heiser Lake Ext. open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Heiser Lake Ext., 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 Ext. is an easy, short hike in California's Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, within the Calaveras Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest. The trail is about a mile long and climbs roughly 160 feet from a low point of 8,250 feet to a high of 8,439 feet. It is a natural-surface out-and-back route, and the Forest Service manages the surrounding land. The trail is open year-round, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. That makes it a good option for riders on horseback or on foot, and the route is short enough to fit easily into a day spent exploring the wilderness. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F and September highs around 67°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The Heiser Lake mountain biking area is about half a mile away, and the Pacific Creek hike is within a mile. Pacific Valley and Mosquito Lakes campgrounds are both about a mile and a quarter off, making it easy to spend the night in the area.

Around this trail

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

    Pacific Valley

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 15 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Heiser Lake Ext.

    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, 33.2 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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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