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Soda Springs, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Soda Springs

  • Soda Springs, California

    Hike to the Top of Andesite Peak

    5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    From the trail map sign, follow the dirt path straight, following signs for the cross-country skiing route, not snowmobiling. Continue until you see a trail marker. You'll veer left to head over to the Hole in the Ground trail. Once you see another identical trail map board, you'll head left. Thi...
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  • Soda Springs, California

    Summit Castle Peak

    4.0
    6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    The trailhead is very easy to access as it is just off Highway 80 at the Boreal Mountain exit. When taking the exit, take a turn to the North, rather than to Boreal on the South side of the Highway. On busy summer weekends this trailhead can get quite crowded so you may have to park at the bottom...
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  • Soda Springs, California

    Hike to the Peter Benson Hut

    5.0
    11.6 mi / 1800 ft gain
    Drive to the top of Donner Summit via the Old Hwy 40 and park at the Donner Summit PCT trailhead, just past the Sugar Bowl Academy Building. Begin hiking up-hill through a somewhat forested area for about 2 miles. Shortly after you pass the trail sign for the Mt. Judah Loop, you will come to a sm...
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  • Truckee, California

    Swim at Long Lake near Truckee

    3.7
    1.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    The story goes that twenty or so years ago, long before the advent of the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area, some local Truckee boys decided to put a couple rope swings up on Long Lake near Soda Springs, CA, and they remain there to this day.Long Lake sits amongst a cluster of both man-made and ...
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  • Truckee, California

    Hike the Truckee Tunnels

    5.0
    To get here, drive along Donner Pass Rd. There is a turnoff about 100 yards away from the Donner Summit Bridge where you can park. The hike begins at a plaque for the China Wall- a large retaining wall built by Chinese railroad workers. Hike up the trail towards the tunnels. Some spots may requi...
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  • Truckee, California

    Backpack the Palisades Creek Trail

    4.0
    15 mi / 2200 ft gain
    After driving out to Kidd Lakes and parking at the trailhead, you take off through some easy forest hiking past Cascade Lakes and Long Lake. Pay attention to the cairns marking the trail as you traverse across a large granite section with Devils Peak to your West. The trail is easy to follow and ...
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  • 39.333252,-120.289482

    Donner Lake Rim Trail: Johnson Canyon to Trout Creek

    A perfect Sunday hike on your way back from a weekend at Lake Tahoe. Exit I-80 at Donner Lake and take the dirt road on the north side of I-80 to a large parking lot. A mild climb followed by a set of tougher switchbacks leads you to great views from Donner Ridge. Although adventuring out on t...
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  • Truckee, California

    Mt. Judah Loop Trail

    5.0
    5.5 mi / 1700 ft gain
    A wonderful hike in Lake Tahoe is the Mt. Judah Loop Trail that offers sweeping views of Donner Lake and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains on the North Shore. As a resident on the North Shore, many of my recreational activities favor this side of the Lake but there are marvelous hikes in ...
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  • Loch Leven Lakes Trailhead, California

    Loch Leven Lakes Trail

    4.4
    7.6 mi / 1480 ft gain
    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. Af...
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  • Emigrant Gap, California

    Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail

    5.0
    6.41 mi / 1522 ft gain
    Loch Leven Viewpoint Trail is an out-and-back trail to a viewpoint of the Loch Leven Lakes that is moderately difficult located near Truckee, California. This trail is just under 6.5 miles. If you're willing to add a little more than a mile to your adventure, you can head all the way to Upper Loc...
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  • Truckee, California

    China Cove Loop at Donner Lake

    4.6
    3.11 mi
    This is a casual hike in an area with a ton of history. Stop by the museum before or after your hike to learn about the Donner Party, the Transcontinental Railroad, and local Native Americans Park at the Donner Lake and Memorial State Park Visitor Center and walk west towards the lake. Cross the...
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  • Truckee, California

    The Five Lakes Hike

    4.0
    The Five Lakes Trail is located in the Granite Chief Wilderness in between Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley ski resorts and is easily accessible at the intersection of Alpine Meadows and Deer Park roads. The 5-mile moderate trail ascends approximately 900-1000 ft. along granite canyons and pine f...
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  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike the Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail

    3.6 mi / 2109 ft gain
    This trail has lots of elevation over a short distance, be warned! The Shirley Canyon Cascades Trail is close to Olympic Valley in the North Lake Tahoe region. Dogs are allowed on this trail if kept on leash. 
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  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike the Thunder Mountain Trail

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The Thunder Mountain Trail is the perfect hike to explore the Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Squaw may be famed for its mountain ski runs in the winter, but when the snow melts in the summer, beautiful alpine meadows line the mountain and the ski runs turn into hiking trails! The Thunder Mountain T...
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  • Olympic Valley, California

    Hike to Lake Estelle and Five Lakes

    6 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This hike starts at Alpine Meadows Base Camp and finishes on Alpine Meadows Road. The end point is less than a half mile from the base, and an easy walk up a slight hill. Park at base camp and head on the trail to the far right of all of the lifts. Proceed up the trail for half a mile (this is th...
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  • Nevada City, California

    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass

    3.0
    35.45 mi / 4895 ft gain
    Bowman Road and Meadow Lake Road to Henness Pass is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Alta, California.
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