Unnecessary
- 2.3 mi
- round trip
- 373 ft
- climb
- 3,170 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov
- best months
Is Unnecessary 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.
Unnecessary is an easy hike of about 2.3 miles in the Georgetown Ranger District of Eldorado National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 373 feet, from a low point of roughly 2,784 feet to a high of about 3,170 feet. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Georgetown run to highs around 72°F in May and 74°F in October, while July and August average highs near 91°F. The trail is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. Unnecessary Trail and Miner's Pit Trail both lie within about half a mile, and Balderson Trail is about 0.8 miles away. Dru Barner Campground is about 2.4 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Alpenglow Expeditions33 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Feb–Jun, Oct–Nov
Best time to visit Unnecessary
Best months: February–June and October–November. 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.
Jan
52° / 36°
Feb
55° / 36°
Mar
59° / 38°
Apr
64° / 41°
May
72° / 48°
Jun
82° / 56°
Jul
91° / 63°
Aug
91° / 62°
Sep
86° / 57°
Oct
74° / 49°
Nov
59° / 41°
Dec
50° / 36°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Georgetown Rs, CA, 3.6 mi away at 3,001 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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