California · Hiking

Juanita Lake South

5.1 mi
round trip
1,780 ft
climb
5,183 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is JUANITA LAKE SOUTH open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Klamath National Forest.

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

Juanita Lake South is a hard hike in the Goosenest Ranger District of Klamath National Forest in California, about 4 miles from the small community of Macdoel. The route is an out-and-back of about 10 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,780 feet, and it is rated hard. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.4 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 17 percent. The trail begins at 4,251 feet and climbs to a high point of 5,183 feet. The trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the route is roughly twice the distance of the Juanita Lake North hike, which lies about 2 miles away. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable seasons. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Keno, Oregon, show May highs around 68°F and September highs around 79°F, with July and August highs in the upper 80s. That station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the summit run cooler. Nearby options include the Long Loop, just 0.3 miles away, and Juanita Lake Group Campsite, about 2.3 miles off. Juanita Lake Trail and Muskgrave Creek are also within about 2.3 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit JUANITA LAKE SOUTH

    Best months: May–June and 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

      41° / 21°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 23°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 26°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      68° / 37°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      77° / 43°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 49°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 47°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 39°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 31°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 25°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Keno, OR, 20.5 mi away at 4,128 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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