California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Lake Valley

Lake ValleyPhoto: ilya_ktsn, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
11.5 mi
round trip
3,459 ft
climb
8,723 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Lake Valley open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Lake Valley, 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.

Lake Valley is a hard hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Calaveras Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 11.5 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 3,459 feet. The trail's low point sits at about 5,285 feet, and the high point reaches about 8,723 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open year-round. 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 the station sits about 1,400 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Underwood Valley is about 0.4 miles away, and the Odenn Trail is about 1.2 miles away. Silver Tip Campground is about 2 miles off, and Lake Alpine Recreation Area is about 2.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    (lake Alpine) Silver Tip Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sky Hi Pizza and Pub

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

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 Lake Valley

    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, 33.1 mi away at 7,334 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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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