California · Hiking

Spencer Lakes

1.2 mi
round trip
435 ft
climb
6,846 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Spencer Lakes open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

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

Spencer Lakes is an easy hike of about 1.2 miles in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back that gains about 435 feet, starting at roughly 6,386 feet and reaching about 6,846 feet at the high point. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Bowman Dam weather station show July highs around 82°F with lows near 54°F, and the station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surface trail. Spencer Creek Trail is about 0.7 miles away, the Pacific Crest Trail about a mile off, and the Mount Washington Trail is about 0.9 miles away. For an overnight stay, Lakes Basin Family Campground is about 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Spencer Lakes

    Best months: April–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

      46° / 29°

    2. Feb

      47° / 28°

    3. Mar

      49° / 30°

    4. Apr

      55° / 33°

    5. May

      64° / 40°

    6. Jun

      73° / 47°

    7. Jul

      82° / 54°

    8. Aug

      81° / 54°

    9. Sep

      77° / 51°

    10. Oct

      66° / 42°

    11. Nov

      54° / 34°

    12. Dec

      45° / 29°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bowman Dam, CA, 17.9 mi away at 5,385 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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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