AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Wetlands and forests along the Truckee River, near Tahoe City, 2011.jpg
DimiTalen · CC0

Lake Cushing & Western States Trail

8.3 mi · ▲ 1,627 ft · 3 hr 35 min

Lake Cushing & Western States Trail is an 8.3-mile out-and-back near Rampart, CA. The route passes Lake Cushing before reaching Lake Cushing at the turnaround, 4.1 miles in. It climbs 1,627 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 34/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi6,152 – 6,870 ft · steepest grade: 18%9.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Truckee River Bike Trail 39.18360, -120.19566
Nearest town Rampart, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lake Cushing & Western States Trail

8.3 mi · ▲ 1,627 ft · 3 hr 35 min

Elevation 6,152–6,872 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Truckee River Bike Trail · 39.18360, -120.19566

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 86°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:12 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Truckee River Bike Trail, heading NE.
  4. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  5. 350 ftBear right, heading N.
  6. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Western States Trail, heading NW.
  7. 0.7 miBear left, heading W.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  9. 150 ftBear right, heading SW.
  10. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
  11. 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  13. 0.6 miBear left onto World Cup Trail, heading SW.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Western States Trail, heading SW.
  15. 0.8 miPass Lake Cushing.
  16. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  17. 450 ftSharp right, heading W.
  18. 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
  19. 150 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  20. 300 ftReach Lake Cushing, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 300 ftTurn right, heading W.
  22. 150 ftSharp right, heading W.
  23. 0.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
  24. 0.9 miBear left onto World Cup Trail, heading E.
  25. 50 ftBear right onto Western States Trail, heading E.
  26. 0.4 miBear left, heading N.
  27. 450 ftBear right, heading N.
  28. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  29. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
  30. 0.3 miBear left, heading NE.
  31. 200 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  32. 0.2 miBear right, heading E.
  33. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Truckee River Bike Trail, heading NE.
  34. 0.7 miBear right, heading NE.
  35. 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
  36. 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
  37. 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/lake-cushing-lake-cushing-out-back-19-km-f3d4

Trail surface

56% dirt22% paved1% gravel21% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 86°F50°
Precip0%Wind4 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
90°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:12 PM
Tue 86°61°
Wed 85°58°
Thu 88°58°
Fri 88°59°
Sat 89°59°
Sun 89°57°

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Truckee River Bike Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Rampart, California