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

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 6 sights

13.4 mi · ▲ 856 ft · 4 hr 54 min

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 6 sights is a 13.4-mile out-and-back in Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area near Ponderosa Fairway Estates, CA. The route passes Lake Ella and Martis Creek Lake. It climbs 856 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 22/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,814 – 6,349 ft · steepest grade: 21%14.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Martis Valley Trail 39.31443, -120.14853
Nearest town Ponderosa Fairway Estates, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lake Ella–Martis Creek Lake, 6 sights

13.4 mi · ▲ 856 ft · 4 hr 54 min

Elevation 5,813–6,348 ft

Out & Back · Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area

Trailhead: Martis Valley Trail · 39.31443, -120.14853

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:11 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 599 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Martis Valley Trail, heading SE.
  2. 1.4 miSharp right onto Tompkins Trail, heading SW.
  3. 3.1 miTurn right onto Martis Valley Trail, heading NE.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  5. 0.8 miContinue straight onto Sawmill Road, heading E.
  6. 0.1 miBear left, heading E.
  7. 1.3 miPass Lake Ella.
  8. 0.3 miTurn right onto Royal Flush, heading N.
  9. 0.5 miReach Lake Ella, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 0.9 miBear left, heading W.
  11. 0.7 miPass Martis Creek Lake.
  12. 0.2 miSharp left onto Matt's Trail, heading SE.
  13. 400 ftBear right, heading SE.
  14. 1.1 miTurn right onto Sawmill Road, heading S.
  15. 0.7 miTurn right onto Martis Valley Trail, heading S.
  16. 2.2 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-16-km-151f

Trail surface

70% dirt26% paved1% boardwalk3% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:04 AMSunset 8:11 PM

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 599 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Martis Valley Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Ponderosa Fairway Estates, California