California · Hiking · Carson-Iceberg Wilderness · Near Bear Valley

Poison Lake

7.0 mi
round trip
1,501 ft
climb
9,246 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Poison Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Carson Ranger District. It doesn't name Poison Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Carson Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Poison Lake is a 7-mile out-and-back hike in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, part of the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in northeastern California. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route runs from a low of about 7,700 feet to a high of 9,246 feet, with a total elevation gain of about 1,500 feet. Horses are allowed, and the trail is natural-surface rather than developed. Bikes are not. The trail is rated hard, and the climb is one of the steeper ones in the wilderness, so plan on time and effort. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs of about 71°F in June to 78°F in July and August, with the warmest nights around 34 to 36°F. That station sits about 900 feet below the high point, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The trail is generally open from June 1 to October 15. Several other hikes start close by, including Corral Valley about 1.4 miles away, Tamarack Lake about 2.2 miles away and Poison Flat about 2.7 miles away. The East Fork Carson River, about 3.6 miles away, offers canoeing.

Around this trail

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

    KOA Holiday

    Campground

    Campground · 6.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 22 mi
  • If it rains

    Alpine County Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 17 mi from Bear Valley

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Poison Lake

    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

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      41° / 9°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 13°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      51° / 19°

      5 wet

    5. May

      61° / 25°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 32°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 36°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 34°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 28°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 20°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 12°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 8°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bodie California St Historic P, CA, 37.7 mi away at 8,370 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.

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