Waddle Ranch Preserve

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 749 ft · 1 hr 46 min

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Waddle Ranch Preserve near Union Mills, CA. The route passes Lake Ella and Martis Creek Lake. It climbs 749 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 27/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi5,827 – 6,349 ft · steepest grade: 21%4.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: connector 39.33807, -120.11217
Nearest town Union Mills, CA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights

4.2 mi · ▲ 749 ft · 1 hr 46 min

Elevation 5,828–6,348 ft

Out & Back · Waddle Ranch Preserve

Trailhead: connector · 39.33807, -120.11217

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:02 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 200 ftBear left, heading S.
  3. 1.4 miBear right onto Royal Flush, heading E.
  4. 0.4 miPass Lake Ella.
  5. 50 ftTurn right onto Sawmill Road, heading E.
  6. 450 ftTurn right, heading S.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right onto Matt's Trail, heading SW.
  8. 0.9 miPass Martis Creek Lake.
  9. 0.6 miBear right, heading NW.
  10. 0.5 miBear right, heading NE.
  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 surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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