California · Hiking

Upper Salmon Lake

3.5 mi
round trip
699 ft
climb
7,132 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Upper Salmon Lake open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Tahoe National Forest.

  • Camping and Campfire Restrictions-Truckee and Sierraville Districts

    Agency alert covering Tahoe National Forest · Order 17-25-05 · USFS · Tahoe National Forest

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

Upper Salmon Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.5 miles in the Yuba River Ranger District of Tahoe National Forest in California. The trail rises from a low point of about 6,500 feet to a high point of about 7,132 feet, for a one-way climb of roughly 700 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is open year round. The route is natural surfaced, and it is open to both horses and bikes. That makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At Sagehen Creek, a nearby weather station, typical July averages run around 80°F for the high and 37°F for the low, and the station sits about 800 feet lower than the high point on this trail, so temperatures up top run cooler. Lakes Basin campground is less than a mile away, and the Pacific Crest Trail passes about 1.2 miles off. Salmon Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 2.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Upper Salmon Lake

    Best months: June–August. 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

      40° / 15°

    2. Feb

      41° / 15°

    3. Mar

      48° / 19°

    4. Apr

      53° / 22°

    5. May

      62° / 28°

    6. Jun

      72° / 32°

    7. Jul

      80° / 37°

    8. Aug

      79° / 35°

    9. Sep

      73° / 31°

    10. Oct

      61° / 24°

    11. Nov

      49° / 20°

    12. Dec

      39° / 14°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sagehen Creek, CA, 26.8 mi away at 6,337 ft. The station sits about 800 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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