Loon Lake Equestrian Group
Campground
Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City
Shadow Trail
- 4.4 mi
- round trip
- 1,903 ft
- climb
- 7,440 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is SHADOW TRAIL open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.
Help Halt Golden Mussel Invasion
Agency alert covering Eldorado National Forest · USFS · Eldorado National Forest
Deer Valley Trail (19E01) & Meadow Lake Road (09N01)
Agency alert covering Eldorado National Forest · Order 03-24-05 · USFS · Eldorado National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Eldorado National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Shadow Trail is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Pacific Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 8.9 miles long, with a one-way climb of 1,206 feet from a starting point near 6,457 feet to a high point of 7,440 feet. The route is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 3.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 17%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Tahoma weather station, which sits about 1,100 feet lower, show July highs around 77°F with lows near 46°F. Winter is cold, with January highs around 37°F and lows near 22°F. Loon Lake Chalet and Loon Lake Equestrian Group are both about 0.1 mile away. The Orion Trail, a cross-country ski route, is about 0.4 mile off, and the Rubicon River, a canoeing spot, is about 1.3 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Swiss Lakewood Restaurant
Restaurant
On your way back · 11 miIf it rains Baldwin Home
Museum
Museum · 15 mi from Sunnyside-Tahoe City
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Sunnyside-Tahoe CityLocal outfitters
- Alpenglow Expeditions16 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit SHADOW TRAIL
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.
Jan
37° / 22°
Feb
38° / 22°
Mar
43° / 25°
Apr
49° / 27°
May
58° / 34°
Jun
69° / 40°
Jul
77° / 46°
Aug
76° / 46°
Sep
69° / 41°
Oct
58° / 34°
Nov
44° / 27°
Dec
38° / 21°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tahoma, CA, 11.7 mi away at 6,315 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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
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