California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Union Rock Lake

Union Rock LakePhoto: cjmartin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.0 mi
round trip
128 ft
climb
6,980 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Union Rock Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Union Rock Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Union Rock Lake is a 3-mile out-and-back hike in California's Stanislaus National Forest, within the Calaveras Ranger District. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of about 128 feet, from a low of 6,874 feet to a high of 6,980 feet. The trail is a natural-surface route that carries horses, and bikes are not allowed. It is open year-round, and the closest places to camp are Union East, just 0.1 mile away, and Union West, about 0.4 mile away. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 80°F with only about two wet days a month, while winter highs sit in the low 40s with lows near 18°F. Nearby, the Utica/Union Reservoirs fishing area is about 1.1 miles away and the Mud Lake hike is about 1.2 miles away. Climbers can reach Spicer Reservoir, about 1.5 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Union Reservoir East Campground

    Campground

    Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lake Alpine Resort

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 4 mi

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

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Union Rock Lake

    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, 32.4 mi away at 6,314 ft. The station sits about 700 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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