California · Hiking

Pass Creek Loop

Pass Creek LoopPhoto: M. Rhodes Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
7.7 mi
round trip
2,399 ft
climb
6,941 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is PASS CREEK 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.

Pass Creek Loop is a hard hike in the Sierraville Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back of about 15 miles, with a one-way climb of roughly 1,450 feet and a total round-trip gain of about 2,400 feet. The trail starts near 6,200 feet and reaches a high point of about 6,940 feet, and the steepest stretch comes within the first mile at about 13%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Sagehen Creek weather station, which sits a few hundred feet lower, show July highs around 80°F with lows near 37°F, while winter highs stay in the low 40s. Pass Creek campground and the Pacific Crest Trail both lie about 0.2 miles from the trail, and Jackson Meadow Reservoir is about 1.2 miles away. The Lasier Mdw PCT Tie Trail is about 1.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit PASS CREEK 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, 16.3 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 600 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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