California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

High School Trail

High School TrailPhoto: mlinksva, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
3.0 mi
round trip
55 ft
climb
6,396 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is High School Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name High School Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

High School Trail is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, managed by the Forest Service in California. The route rises about 55 feet from a low point of 6,332 feet to a high of 6,396 feet, and it is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s and only about two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with highs near 43°F and lows around 18°F from December through February. The Sandpit Connector starts just 0.2 miles away, and the Space Domes climbing area and Valley View Trail are both within a mile. Fallen Leaf Campground, about 2.7 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

Around this trail

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

    Chris Haven RV Annex

    Campground

    Campground · 1.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Flight Deck Sports Bar and Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Baldwin Home

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

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–Sep

    Best time to visit High School Trail

    Best months: May–September. 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° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 1.8 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Route details

Distance
3.0 mi round trip
Climbing
About 55 ft
Summit
6,396 ft
Difficulty
Moderate

Questions about this route

How long is the High School Trail on Gardner Mountain?

About 3.0 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the High School Trail?

About 55 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the High School Trail?

It is rated moderate.

Conditions and forecast on Gardner Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.