California · Hiking

Mar Det

11.5 mi
round trip
1,488 ft
climb
3,058 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov
best months

Is Mar Det 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.

Mar Det is a hard hike of about 11.5 miles in the Georgetown Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a total elevation gain of about 1,488 feet, taking you from a low point of 2,204 feet to a high of 3,058 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Georgetown, at a similar elevation, run around 72°F highs in May and 74°F in October, while July and August average highs near 91°F. The trail is a natural-surface route, and horses are allowed. Several other trails start close by, including Bedrock Mortar Trail about 0.1 mile away and Traverse Creek Loop about 0.3 mile away. Dru Barner Campground, about 5.8 miles off, offers a place to stay, and Bear Creek, a canoeing route about 2.3 miles away, is a nearby water option.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Mar Det

    Best months: February–June and October–November. 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

      52° / 36°

    2. Feb

      55° / 36°

    3. Mar

      59° / 38°

    4. Apr

      64° / 41°

    5. May

      72° / 48°

    6. Jun

      82° / 56°

    7. Jul

      91° / 63°

    8. Aug

      91° / 62°

    9. Sep

      86° / 57°

    10. Oct

      74° / 49°

    11. Nov

      59° / 41°

    12. Dec

      50° / 36°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Georgetown Rs, CA, 4.4 mi away at 3,001 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