Frog Lake & Forestdale Creek Trail via Pacific Crest Trail
15.9 mi · ▲ 2,564 ft · 6 hr 35 min
Frog Lake & Forestdale Creek Trail via Pacific Crest Trail is a 15.9-mile out-and-back in Mokelumne Wilderness near Kirkwood, CA. The route reaches Frog Lake. It climbs 2,564 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Frog Lake & Forestdale Creek Trail via Pacific Crest Trail
15.9 mi · ▲ 2,564 ft · 6 hr 35 min
Elevation 7,513–9,059 ft
Out & Back · Mokelumne Wilderness
Trailhead: Meiss Trailhead · 38.69663, -119.99184
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:02 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
- 1.3 miPass Frog Lake.
- 1.1 miBear left, heading NE.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading E.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Forestdale Creek Trail, heading E.
- 3.8 miReach Frog Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 3.8 miBear right, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading W.
- 1.4 miSharp left, heading N.
- 2.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.5 mi in (~14 min). Leave by 6:28 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:30 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Meiss Trailhead Trailhead
- Pacific Crest Trail 7 mi · ▲ 796 ft
- Lost Lake (west)–Upper Blue Lake, 5 lakes 14.9 mi · ▲ 2,885 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 5.5 mi · ▲ 768 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 5.5 mi · ▲ 768 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 2.5 mi · ▲ 348 ft
- Winnemucca Lake–Frog Lake, 3 lakes 4.8 mi · ▲ 535 ft
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