California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Independence Lake Loop

5.7 mi
round trip
1,919 ft
climb
7,095 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is INDEPENDENCE LAKE LOOP 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.

Independence Lake Loop is a hard out-and-back hike of about 11 miles in the Sierraville Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California. The route starts and ends at a trailhead at about 6,500 feet, climbs steadily to a high point of 7,095 feet, and descends back to the same elevation. The total elevation gain is 1,919 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 3.5 miles, where the grade reaches 20%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Sagehen Creek weather station run to highs around 80°F in July with lows near 37°F. That station sits roughly 750 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trip takes about five hours. The closest neighbors are Independence Creek, a canoeing spot about 0.6 miles away, and the Upper Little Truckee and Lower Little Truckee campgrounds, both within 2 miles. The Treasure Mountain Loop hike is about 2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Upper Little Truckee

    Campground

    Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Alder Creek Cafe

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 8 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 · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit INDEPENDENCE LAKE LOOP

    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, 3.6 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 800 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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