South Fork Gcg
Campground
Campground · 2.0 mi from the trail
California · Hiking · Near Sunnyside-Tahoe City
South Fork
- 6.9 mi
- round trip
- 1,618 ft
- climb
- 5,153 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is South Fork 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.
South Fork is a hard hike in California's Eldorado National Forest, within the Pacific Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 6.9 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,618 feet, taking you from a low point of about 3,584 feet to a high of about 5,153 feet. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June through September, when typical averages from the nearby Lake Spaulding weather station run from highs around 75°F in June to about 82°F in July and August, with lows in the mid-40s. Winter is cold, with typical January highs around 44°F and lows near 25°F. The trail is open year-round. South Fork Trail lies about 0.9 miles away, and Hunsucter Trail is about 1.5 miles off. South Fork Group - Eldorado NF (CA) offers camping and river fishing about 2.1 miles away. Paddlers can reach the South Fork Rubicon River about 4 miles from the trail.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Swiss Lakewood Restaurant
Restaurant
On your way back · 17 miIf it rains
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Sunnyside-Tahoe CityLocal outfitters
- Alpenglow Expeditions19 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit South Fork
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
44° / 25°
Feb
46° / 26°
Mar
51° / 27°
Apr
56° / 30°
May
64° / 37°
Jun
75° / 43°
Jul
82° / 48°
Aug
82° / 47°
Sep
76° / 44°
Oct
65° / 37°
Nov
51° / 30°
Dec
43° / 25°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Spaulding, CA, 26.9 mi away at 5,156 ft. 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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