California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Minkalo

MinkaloPhoto: sarahstierch, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
4.3 mi
round trip
223 ft
climb
7,508 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Minkalo 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.

Minkalo is a moderate hike of about 4.3 miles in the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back that gains about 223 feet in elevation, from a low point near 7,268 feet to a high point near 7,508 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dagget Pass show July highs around 75°F and lows near 49°F, with only about one or two wet days a month. Winters are cold, with January highs in the mid-30s. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. East Silver Lake and Granite Lake are both within half a mile. Silver Lake Campground is about a mile away, and the Freaks climbing area is just over a mile off.

Around this trail

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

    Silver Lake East Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Kit Carson Restaurant

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 18 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 Minkalo

    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, 24.9 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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East Silver LakePhoto: sarahstierch, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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