California · Hiking

Morgan Summit

6.2 mi
round trip
3,472 ft
climb
5,895 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is MORGAN SUMMIT open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lassen National Forest. It doesn't name MORGAN SUMMIT, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Morgan Summit is a hard hike on Forest Service land in the Almanor Ranger District of Lassen National Forest in northern California. It's an out-and-back route of about 12.5 miles, with a total gain of 3,472 feet over the course of the trip. The high point is 5,895 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 2.9 miles in, with a grade of 27 percent. The route starts at roughly 5,820 feet and reaches the summit at 5,895 feet. That makes the climb a steady one, and the return is the same as the out. Plan on about six hours for the whole trip. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Mineral, which sits about 1,000 feet lower than the summit, put July and August highs near 82°F with lows in the low 40s. Winter there is cold, with highs around 42 to 45°F and lows near 24°F. Summit Lake is about 2 miles away, and Heart Lake Trail and Spencer Meadow Trail are each a little over 2 miles off. For an overnight, Hole in the Ground campground is about 4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit MORGAN SUMMIT

    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

      43° / 24°

    2. Feb

      45° / 24°

    3. Mar

      49° / 26°

    4. Apr

      54° / 29°

    5. May

      63° / 35°

    6. Jun

      73° / 40°

    7. Jul

      82° / 44°

    8. Aug

      82° / 42°

    9. Sep

      77° / 38°

    10. Oct

      64° / 32°

    11. Nov

      50° / 27°

    12. Dec

      42° / 24°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mineral, CA, 4.1 mi away at 4,875 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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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