AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Johnson Canyon

Donner Lake Rim Trail

9.1 mi · ▲ 2,029 ft · 4 hr 3 min

Donner Lake Rim Trail is a 9.1-mile out-and-back in Johnson Canyon near Donner Lake Village, CA. It climbs 2,029 ft. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,539 – 7,691 ft9.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 39.36616, -120.29656
Nearest town Donner Lake Village, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Donner Lake Rim Trail

9.1 mi · ▲ 2,029 ft · 4 hr 3 min

Elevation 6,539–7,690 ft

Out & Back · Johnson Canyon

Trailhead: 39.36616, -120.29656

Weather Sep 20: Overcast, high 72°F / low 47° · precip 2% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:03 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  3. 2.1 miSharp left onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading NE.
  4. 2.4 miBear left, heading S.
  5. 50 ftTurn left onto Glacier Way Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.1 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  7. 0.2 miTurn right onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading NW.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  9. 2.4 miSharp right onto West Gatson Road, heading SE.
  10. 2.1 miBear left, heading N.
  11. 50 ftArrive 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-out-back-15-km-67dd

Trail surface

55% dirt45% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 72°F47°
Precip2%Wind9 mphUV6Humidity31%
Hourly temperature
75°45°
Sunrise 6:48 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 7:03 PM
Mon 73°52°
Tue 74°48°
Wed 75°48°
Thu 71°47°
Fri 70°45°
Sat 70°45°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.2 mi in (~143 min). Leave by 4:20 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Donner Lake Village, California