Kirkwood Lake Cg
Campground
Campground · 0.9 mi from the trail
California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley
Thunder Mountain Loop
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- 9.5 mi
- round trip
- 1,453 ft
- climb
- 9,328 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Thunder Mountain Loop 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.
Thunder Mountain Loop is a 9.5-mile out-and-back hike in California's Eldorado National Forest, within the Amador Ranger District. The route climbs from a low point of 7,963 feet to a high of 9,328 feet, a total gain of 1,453 feet, and is rated hard. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is open year round. The natural-surface route allows both horses and bikes. That makes it a versatile option for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. The climb is a significant one. With 1,453 feet of elevation gain over nearly 10 miles, it is a long, steady ascent to the high point. Plan for a full day on the trail. Nearby, Kirkwood Lake Campground and Kirkwood Campground sit about a mile away, and Caples Creek offers canoeing just under a mile off. Climbers can head to Boulder Geek, about 1.9 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Kirkwood Inn
Restaurant
On your way back · 2 miIf it rains Baldwin Home
Museum
Museum · 16 mi from Bear Valley
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors
More in Bear ValleyLocal outfitters
- Alpenglow Expeditions35 mi away
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