AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
Martis Creek Lake and Dam summer.jpg
Michael Nevins, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Public domain
Waddle Ranch Preserve

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights

7.6 mi · ▲ 704 ft · 2 hr 53 min

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights is a 7.6-mile out-and-back in Waddle Ranch Preserve near Polaris, CA. The route passes Martis Creek Lake and Lake Ella. It climbs 704 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 26/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi5,814 – 6,349 ft · steepest grade: 16%8.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Martis Valley Trail 39.30224, -120.13134
Nearest town Polaris, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 4 sights

7.6 mi · ▲ 704 ft · 2 hr 53 min

Elevation 5,813–6,348 ft

Out & Back · Waddle Ranch Preserve

Trailhead: Martis Valley Trail · 39.30224, -120.13134

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Martis Valley Trail, heading SE.
  2. 1 miTurn left, heading N.
  3. 0.7 miTurn left, heading N.
  4. 1.1 miBear left onto Matt's Trail, heading N.
  5. 150 ftPass Martis Creek Lake.
  6. 250 ftSharp right onto Royal Flush, heading NE.
  7. 0.3 miSharp right, heading N.
  8. 0.9 miPass Lake Ella.
  9. 350 ftTurn right onto Sawmill Road, heading E.
  10. 0.5 miBear right, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
  13. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 0.9 miTurn left, heading SW.
  15. 0.9 miTurn right onto Martis Valley Trail, heading S.
  16. 0.9 miArrive 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-ella-martis-creek-lake-out-back-5-sights-14-km

Trail surface

75% dirt25% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.6 mi in (~66 min). Leave by 5:36 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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Hikes near Polaris, California