Heiser Lake–Mosquito Lake, 4 sights
3.9 mi · ▲ 1,013 ft · 1 hr 48 min
Heiser Lake–Mosquito Lake, 4 sights is a 3.9-mile out-and-back near Cape Horn, CA. The route passes Mosquito Lake before reaching Heiser Lake at the turnaround, 2 miles in. It climbs 1,013 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 63/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Heiser Lake–Mosquito Lake, 4 sights
3.9 mi · ▲ 1,013 ft · 1 hr 48 min
Elevation 8,057–8,440 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Heiser Lake Trail · 38.51535, -119.91495
Weather Sep 20: Overcast, high 63°F / low 46° · precip 2% · wind 10 mph · sunrise 6:46 AM · sunset 7:01 PM
Horses allowed on the whole route
- Start on Heiser Lake Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Mosquito Lake.
- 1.5 miContinue straight onto Heiser Lake Trail Extension, heading E.
- 0.4 miReach Heiser Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Heiser Lake Trail, heading SW.
- 1.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~65 min). Leave by 5:36 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Horses allowed on the whole route
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Heiser Lake Trail Trailhead
- Mosquito Lake–Heiser Lake Trail, 5 sights 14.5 mi · ▲ 4,221 ft
- Bull Run Lake–Mosquito Lake, 3 lakes 7.4 mi · ▲ 1,638 ft
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