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Loch Leven Lakes Trail

Loch Leven Lakes Trailhead, California

4.4/5
based on 12 reviews

Details

Distance

7.6 miles

Elevation Gain

1480 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Alex Shaw

Loch Leven Lakes Trail is a relatively easy to access provides beautiful scenery, along a low traffic out-and-back trail. The hike is 5-7.5 miles depending on which lake you want to go to: Lower Loch Leven, Middle Loch Leven, High Loch Leven).

The trail is easy to follow for the first half mile until you get to some large slabs of granite. As you continue up the trail look for stacked rocks, these will give you a an easy route as you continue up the mountain. The trail then starts to switch back eventually leading to a small bridge. After crossing the bridge you will proceed roughly 1/4 of a mile and end up at a set of railroad tracks, the trail continues on the other side of the tracks straight across from where you came out.

Once on the other side the trail will continue up some switchbacks through the forest for another mile and is moderately steep until eventually defending into the first lake. If you continue from the lower lake another mile on the trail you will end up at the upper lake where there are rocks to jump off and more places to camp. The distance to the lower lake is 2.5 miles one way. If you intend to stay the night be sure to pack for any variables. I recommend this to anyone who wants a relatively easy trail to get into backpacking.

GETTING THERE:
To get to this trail go west on I-80 from Truckee, Ca. After 17 miles take the Big Bend exit and turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the exit ramp. Follow that road 3/4 of a mile and the small parking lot will be on your right hand side. There is a bathroom there and the trailhead is directly across the street.

NOTES:
Pet friendly

Catch and release fishing (with fishing permit)

No camping permit required; however, a permit is required for campfires.

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Features

Photography
Backpacking
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Forest
Lake
Scenic

Loch Leven Lakes Trail Reviews

Heard a lot of good things about this hike prior to going. Now I know why. Challenging 4 mike walk in with a 1,500 elevation climb. In most areas, trail is almost all loose gravel and bedrock making ankle injuries a concern. More traffic on the trail than expected for mid-week, but only one other group of campers for the two nights we were there. Hiked to both nearby lakes on the second day. Scenery is incredible. If you’re looking for a hike where challenge is equaled by the rewards of beauty and solitude, this should be high on your list.

We figured out that there is an easier route to Loch Leven. We have young kids and a dog and had heard that the Loch Leven trail is a hard one. We parked at the Salmon Lake trail head and hiked an easy mile or so to Salmon Lake. Found a beautiful campsite there and left our gear there and took day packs to Lower Loch Leven (an easy 1 mile) and went as far as the middle lake for great swimming. We were happy that we made this decision because Loch Leven was crowded (Labor Day weekend) and we were the only ones at Salmon. Still beautiful, maybe not as enticing to swim at, but gorgeous scenery and solitude was worth it. An easier hike and you can still access Loch Leven. We saw others with dogs that had come via the normal trail head at Loch Leven and some of them had bleeding paws.

This was a great weekend hike. I went mid June via salmon lake. A large portion of the trail was covered in snow and difficult to find but it was worth it.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail

33mi Loop to Donner Lake

Backpack the Palisades Creek Trail

Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

Paddle Lake Valley Reservoir

Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass