California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Railroad Grade Trail

3.0 mi
round trip
51 ft
climb
6,339 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Railroad Grade Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. It doesn't name Railroad Grade Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Railroad Grade Trail is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the national forest system in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises about 50 feet from its low point at 6,284 feet to a high of 6,339 feet, and it is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at South Lake Tahoe show July and August highs around 80°F with lows in the low 40s and only about two wet days a month. Winter is much colder, with highs in the low 40s and lows near 18°F from December through February. Several other outings sit close by. Hartoonian Trails and Trout Creek are each about a mile away, and the Twisted Cedar Trail is about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Hope Valley campground is roughly 3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Chris Haven RV Annex

    Campground

    Campground · 1.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Flight Deck Sports Bar and Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sunnyside-Tahoe City

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Railroad Grade Trail

    Best months: May–September. 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° / 18°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 19°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      8 wet

    5. May

      62° / 33°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 38°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 41°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 35°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 29°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 23°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at South Lake Tahoe Ap, CA, 1.5 mi away at 6,314 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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