California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Pinecrest Peak

Pinecrest PeakPhoto: MarkDoliner, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
8.9 mi
round trip
2,393 ft
climb
8,043 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 10 h ago

Is Pinecrest Peak open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Pinecrest Peak is a hard hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, on the Summit Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 8.9 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,393 feet from a low point of 5,634 feet to a high of 8,043 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 75°F with only about one wet day a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. That station sits roughly 1,400 feet below the peak, so temperatures on top run cooler. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. The Pinecrest Lake N.R.T. mountain biking route starts just 0.2 miles away, and the Pinecrest to Strawberry hike is 0.3 miles off. Climbers can head to Pinecrest Lake Buttress, about half a mile away, and Pinecrest Day Use offers pier fishing within a mile.

Around this trail

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

    Pioneer Trail

    Campground

    Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Pinecrest Peak

    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

      44° / 32°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 31°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 32°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 36°

      8 wet

    5. May

      58° / 43°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 52°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      75° / 60°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      75° / 59°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 54°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      60° / 46°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 37°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 32°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yosemite Village 12 W, CA, 31.7 mi away at 6,620 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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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