Tahoe National Forest Hiking
Summit Lake Trail
Donner Summit Area
Mileage: 2.0 miles one way
Elevation: 7200-7400 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Use Level: Heavy
Season: June-October
Topographic Map: NordenAccess: Unattended parking is not permitted at the Interstate 80 rest areas on Donner Summit There is a Pacific Crest Trail trailhead at Donner Summit. To reach this trailhead take the Castle Peak Area/Boreal Ridge Road exit, which is immediately west of the highway's Donner Summit Roadside Rest Area. On the south side of the highway there is a sign reading:Tahoe National Forest Trailhead
Donner Summit
Pacific Crest Trail
Follow the directions on the sign, turning east for .4 mile to the trailhead. This trailhead provides access to the following trails: Pacific Crest Trail, north and south; Glacier Meadow Loop (15E32); Summit Lake (15E09); Warren Lake (14E24); and Sand Ridge Lake (14E11).Trail Description: For the first mile this hike follows the Pacific Crest Access Trail (15E18) in an easterly direction and then follows the Pacific Crest Trail for another mile in a northerly direction, passing through a tunnel under I-80. Shortly after the underpass the intersection with the Summit Lake Trail (15EO9) is clearly marked. The trail climbs moderately and crosses two small creeks, which are separated by a low, glaciated, granitic ridge. Beyond this the trail arcs through a meadow which is full of many beautiful wildflowers from spring through late summer. The trail continues past the intersection with the Warren Lake Trail, veering to the right and out to the edge of a bald, descending ridge. From here, under a delightful forest cover, it is a brief hike to the south corner of the lake. Summit Lake is populated with eastern brook and rainbow trout. Camping is available at the Lake.
Return to Tahoe Hiking
|
from Away.com
