California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Parsley Bar

6.0 mi
round trip
690 ft
climb
4,388 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Parsley Bar 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.

Parsley Bar is a 6-mile out-and-back hike in the Pacific Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 3,770 feet to a high point of about 4,388 feet, with a total elevation gain of 690 feet. The climb is rated hard. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Pacific House run from highs around 72°F and lows near 42°F in May to highs around 66°F and lows near 41°F in October. That station sits nearly 900 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Summer is hot, with July highs averaging about 90°F, and winter brings the most wet days, about 12 a month from December through February. The trail is open year-round, and horses are allowed on its natural surface. Several other hikes start close by, including Ellicott Trail at about 0.9 miles and Gray at about a mile. For camping, South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA) is about 3.8 miles away, and Little Silver Creek offers canoeing about 5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    South Fork Gcg

    Campground

    Campground · 3.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Chalet

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 18 mi

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Local outfitters

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  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Parsley Bar

    Best months: March–June and September–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

      44° / 32°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 31°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 33°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    5. May

      72° / 42°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 47°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 53°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 52°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 49°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 41°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 35°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 31°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pacific House, CA, 14.7 mi away at 3,450 ft. The station sits about 900 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.

    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