AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Big Chief Trail (Middle)

13.2 mi · ▲ 2,081 ft · 5 hr 26 min

Big Chief Trail (Middle) is a 13.2-mile out-and-back near Alpine Meadows, CA. It climbs 2,081 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,080 – 7,077 ft · steepest grade: 24%13.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.21316, -120.19892
Nearest town Alpine Meadows, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Big Chief Trail (Middle)

13.2 mi · ▲ 2,081 ft · 5 hr 26 min

Elevation 6,080–7,076 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 39.21316, -120.19892

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 87°F / low 61° · precip 0% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:11 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 0.8 miBear right onto Deer Creek Trail, heading NE.
  3. 0.6 miTurn left, heading N.
  4. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NE.
  5. 0.4 miSharp left onto Big Chief Trail (Middle), heading NW.
  6. 4.4 miBear right, heading NW.
  7. 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  8. 50 ftBear left onto Big Chief Trail (Lower), heading N.
  9. 4.4 miSharp right, heading SE.
  10. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  11. 0.4 miTurn right onto Deer Creek Trail, heading S.
  12. 0.6 miBear left, heading W.
  13. 0.7 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/big-chief-trail-lower-out-back-22-km

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 87°F61°
Precip0%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity26%
Hourly temperature
90°60°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:11 PM
Wed 86°60°
Thu 89°58°
Fri 90°59°
Sat 90°60°
Sun 89°59°
Mon 87°57°

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California