AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Johnson Canyon

Donner Lake Rim Trail–Summit Lake Road Loop, 3 sights

3.9 mi · ▲ 870 ft · 1 hr 44 min

Donner Lake Rim Trail–Summit Lake Road Loop, 3 sights is a 3.9-mile loop in Johnson Canyon near Donner Lake Village, CA. It climbs 870 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 18/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi6,405 – 7,274 ft · steepest grade: 18%4.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wendin Way Access Trail 39.33343, -120.29061
Nearest town Donner Lake Village, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Donner Lake Rim Trail–Summit Lake Road Loop, 3 sights

3.9 mi · ▲ 870 ft · 1 hr 44 min

Elevation 6,403–7,274 ft

Loop · Johnson Canyon

Trailhead: Wendin Way Access Trail · 39.33343, -120.29061

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 85°F / low 51° · precip 0% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto Summit Lake Road, heading N.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading N.
  4. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  6. 150 ftContinue straight onto Summit Lake Road, heading SW.
  7. 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  8. 0.4 miSharp left, heading NW.
  9. 400 ftSharp right onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading N.
  10. 0.6 miTurn left onto West Gatson Road, heading E.
  11. 0.1 miTurn right onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.1 miBear right onto Wendin Way Access Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.7 miSharp right, heading NW.
  14. 0.4 miBear left onto Summit Lake Road, heading SE.
  15. 100 ftTurn left, heading S.
  16. 50 ftThe loop closes 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/donner-lake-rim-trail-donner-lake-rim-trail-loop-4-sights

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 85°F51°
Precip0%Wind9 mphUV8Humidity18%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 85°61°
Wed 85°56°
Thu 88°56°
Fri 88°56°
Sat 89°57°
Sun 89°54°

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Wendin Way Access Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Donner Lake Village, California