California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Sugarpine Loop

4.5 mi
round trip
2,218 ft
climb
6,758 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is SUGARPINE LOOP open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 2 alerts for Eldorado National Forest.

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

Sugar Pine Loop is a 9.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Amador Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail starts at about 6,644 feet and climbs to a high point of 6,758 feet, with a total gain of 2,218 feet over the round trip. The climb is back-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 2.5 miles in, where the grade reaches 15%. 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 only two or three wet days a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s and lows near 18°F. Foster Meadow and Dufrene, both cross-country ski areas, lie within a mile. Sugar Pine Point Campground is about 2.2 miles away, and the Bear River offers canoeing roughly 2.8 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Sugar Pine Point Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 2.2 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit SUGARPINE LOOP

    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, 25.9 mi away at 6,314 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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