California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Kirkwood Lake Loop

3.0 mi
round trip
87 ft
climb
7,743 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 4 h ago

Is Kirkwood Lake Loop open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

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

Kirkwood Lake Loop is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California. The trail rises about 87 feet from a low point of 7,658 feet to a high of 7,743 feet, and it is rated moderate. The route is natural-surfaced and open to both horses and bikes. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass, Nevada, show July highs around 75°F with lows near 49°F and only about two wet days a month. Winter is cold, with January highs in the mid-30s. The loop sits close to several other destinations. Lake Margaret and the Dangberg Trail are each about half a mile away, and Kirkwood Lake Campground is about 0.7 miles off. Caples Lake Resort, roughly 1.4 miles away, offers lake fishing.

Around this trail

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

    Two Sentinels Girl Scout Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 16 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Kirkwood Lake Loop

    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, 21.6 mi away at 7,334 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Fire Restrictions are in Effect Forest Wide

      Eldorado National Forest · Order dated September 22, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Nov 2, 2026 · Forest Service

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