California · Hiking

Meadow Lake Loop

17.7 mi
round trip
5,340 ft
climb
7,654 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 19 h ago

Is MEADOW 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.

Meadow Lake Loop is a long, steep out-and-back hike in California's Tahoe National Forest, within the Sierraville Ranger District and the Webber Lake and Lacey Meadows area. The route is rated expert, and it covers about 35 miles with a total elevation gain of 5,340 feet, so plan on a full day or more. The trail starts at about 7,050 feet and climbs steadily to a high point of 7,654 feet. The steepest stretch comes around mile 7.4, where the grade reaches 20 percent. The route is roughly 17.7 miles one way, and the round trip adds up to about 35 miles. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Sagehen Creek weather station, about 11 miles away, show July highs near 80°F with lows around 37°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Meadow Knoll OHV and Meadow Lake Shoreline campgrounds are both within a few miles. North Creek offers canoeing, and the Bald Ridge Loop hike is about 4.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit MEADOW 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, 11.1 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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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