AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Lion's Leap

13.5 mi · ▲ 1,492 ft · 5 hr 15 min

Lion's Leap is a 13.5-mile out-and-back near Donner Pines Tract, CA. It climbs 1,492 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi5,893 – 6,782 ft · steepest grade: 16%14.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Carpenter Valley Trail 39.38615, -120.25618
Nearest town Donner Pines Tract, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lion's Leap

13.5 mi · ▲ 1,492 ft · 5 hr 15 min

Elevation 5,893–6,782 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Carpenter Valley Trail · 39.38615, -120.25618

Weather Sep 5: Overcast, high 60°F / low 39° · precip 4% · wind 11 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:27 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Carpenter Valley Trail, heading NE.
  2. 150 ftBear right, heading E.
  3. 50 ftBear left, heading E.
  4. 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  6. 450 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  7. 3.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  8. 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
  9. 1.2 miBear right, heading SW.
  10. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  11. 0.9 miTurn right, heading W.
  12. 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  14. 350 ftSharp left, heading W.
  15. 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 0.3 miBear left, heading W.
  17. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  18. 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
  19. 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
  20. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  21. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  23. 100 ftBear left, heading SW.
  24. 50 ftTurn right onto Lion's Leap, heading W.
  25. 100 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  26. 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
  27. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  28. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  29. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  30. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  31. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  32. 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
  33. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  34. 100 ftBear right, heading E.
  35. 0.3 miTurn left, heading SE.
  36. 200 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  37. 350 ftBear right, heading E.
  38. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  39. 250 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  40. 0.9 miBear right, heading NE.
  41. 150 ftBear left, heading E.
  42. 1.2 miSharp left, heading NE.
  43. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  44. 3.2 miSharp left, heading SE.
  45. 450 ftTurn right, heading W.
  46. 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
  47. 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
  48. 50 ftBear left onto Carpenter Valley Trail, heading NW.
  49. 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/lions-leap-out-back-22-km-b56d

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

OvercastTemperature 60°F39°
Precip4%Wind11 mphUV7Humidity53%
Rained 0.4″ yesterday · trails may be muddy
Hourly temperature
60°35°
Sunrise 6:34 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PMSunset 7:27 PM
Sun 60°43°
Mon 72°39°
Tue 79°43°
Wed 85°54°
Thu 84°57°
Fri 80°52° 16%

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Carpenter Valley Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Donner Pines Tract, California