California · Hiking

Summit Trail

0.5 mi
round trip
172 ft
climb
7,023 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Summit Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Modoc National Forest.

  • Forest Fire Restrictions 2026 have been lifted as of 09/27/2026

    Agency alert covering Modoc National Forest · Order 09-26-01 · USFS · Modoc National Forest

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

Summit Trail is a short out-and-back hike in the Warner Mountain Ranger District of Modoc National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. It covers about half a mile, rising from roughly 6,830 feet to about 7,023 feet, with a total climb of 172 feet, and it is rated hard. The most comfortable time to go is summer and early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Jess Valley, about 13 miles away, show September highs around 77°F with lows near 39°F and only a few wet days. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. Pepperdine campground is about 0.2 miles away. Owl Creek Trail is about 1.6 miles off, and Tom Smith Cabin Trail and Upper Cottonwood Trail are both about 3.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Summit 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° / 21°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 21°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      50° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 47°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 39°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 31°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 25°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 20°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Jess Valley, CA, 12.9 mi away at 5,400 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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.