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Pacific Crest Trail, California

Looking for the best hiking in Pacific Crest Trail? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Pacific Crest Trail. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Pacific Crest Trail

  • Mono County, California

    Leavitt Lake in Stanislaus National Forest

    4.0
    7.44 mi / 1385 ft gain
    Situated on the eastern edge of Emigrant Wilderness, Leavitt Lake is a great introduction to backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. Leavitt Lake is located at the end of Forest Service Route 077 off of Highway 108. It is actually possible to drive to Leavitt Lake, but a high clearance vehicle is requi...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Backpack to Blue Canyon Lake

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 1280 ft gain
    Trailhead Coordinates: 38º 19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8897ftThe trail is kind of tricky to find. It is West of the PCT trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked. You park along the side of Hwy 108 and scramble down an embankment where a creek flows at the bottom. Cross this creek and you ...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Hike to Deadman Lake

    6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Start: 38º19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. The hike is very steep in certain are...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock

    21.6 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an ea...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Climb Granite Dome via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes

    25 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite D...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Camp at Baker Campground

    5.0
    / 6224 ft gain
    Baker Campground is a first come, first serve campground. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear boxes. The cost for a single family site is $20 per night and a double family site is $40 per night. The campground provides bathrooms and potable water. The campground is typi...
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  • Bridgeport, California

    Matterhorn Peak

    5.0
    12.1 mi / 5036 ft gain
    Matterhorn Peak is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Bridgeport, California.
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  • Bridgeport, California

    Hike to Barney Lake in Hoover Wilderness

    3.0
    Barney Lake makes for an incredible day hike or trail run, but is also very accessible for camping.Start at the trailhead near the Mono Village Resort at Twin Lakes and follow the Robinson Creek Trail. If you plan on hiking during the winter, the resort will be closed and you will have to park at...
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  • Bridgeport, California

    Climb Matterhorn Peak via the East Couloir

    10 mi / 6000 ft gain
    Matterhorn Peak in the northeastern Yosemite Wilderness is an SPS Emblem Peak and many regard it as the beginning of the High Sierra, as there are no peaks higher to the north in the Sierra Nevada.There are many routes to the summit, but the shortest and most direct (though not easiest) begins at...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Backpack Chewing Gum Lake

    3.3
    4.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...
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  • Arnold, California

    Hiking Disaster Creek

    While this is not a terribly scenic hike, the trees, creek, and terrain are very beautiful, and the entire area is quiet and peaceful. You're likely not to pass a single other person on the hike, which is great for letting dogs off-leash.The trail starts off with a series of switchbacks, which ga...
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  • Bridgeport, California

    Hike to Peeler Lake

    11 mi / 2400 ft gain
    This trip can be done as a day trip or backpacking trip. It is around an 11 mile out-and-back trip.Park at Twin Lakes in Bridgeport, CA. There is a $10 fee and it can take a while on busy weekends. A permit is required to stay overnight in Hoover Wilderness. The trailhead can be hard to find; it ...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness)

    4.5
    8.34 mi / 705 ft gain
    Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. To reach the trailhead, make your way south from the Ranger Station and turn left onto Crabtree Rd. Drive along this ro...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Backpack to Chain Lakes

    4.4 mi / 864 ft gain
    This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. You will p...
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  • Bridgeport, California

    Backpack to Green Lake and Virginia Pass

    17 mi / 4452 ft gain
    Day 1 Green Creek Trailhead to Green Lake When we went on this hike, it was primarily to explore the area and see if it would be a feasible entrance to Northern Yosemite for extended backpacking trips.   However, it also is a great two night trip to a lovely area of the Hoover Wilderness.  Best...
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  • Arnold, California

    Backpacking to Sword Lake

    5.0
    Getting There Take 108 to Pinecrest Lake to pick up a free backcountry permit at the Summit Ranger Station. (If you reach Strawberry you've gone too far.) Continue past Beardsley Lake to Clark's Fork Road on the left. Cross two bridges and Forest Route 6N06 will take you to the trailhead (County ...
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