California · Hiking

West Walker River

West Walker RiverPhoto: GSEC, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
28.9 mi
round trip
3,130 ft
climb
9,936 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is West Walker River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It doesn't name West Walker River, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

West Walker River is a hard hike in the Bridgeport Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in California, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back that climbs from about 7,286 feet to about 9,936 feet, with a total elevation gain of 3,130 feet over a distance of about 29 miles. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Tuolumne Meadows, which sits about 1,200 feet lower, show July highs around 71°F with lows near 38°F. That station's figures are only a rough guide, since temperatures on this trail run cooler. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. It is open year-round, and the West Walker River Trail lies about 2 miles away. Climbers can find the Lta and Big Face areas about 2 miles off, and Leavitt Meadows Campground is about 2.2 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit West Walker River

    Best months: June–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

      41° / 13°

    2. Feb

      38° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 15°

    4. Apr

      45° / 22°

    5. May

      54° / 27°

    6. Jun

      65° / 33°

    7. Jul

      71° / 38°

    8. Aug

      70° / 36°

    9. Sep

      65° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      47° / 20°

    12. Dec

      40° / 12°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tuolumne Meadows Rs, CA, 31.3 mi away at 8,694 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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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