Lost Lake (east)–Lost Lake (west), 4 lakes
12.8 mi · ▲ 2,305 ft · 5 hr 25 min
Lost Lake (east)–Lost Lake (west), 4 lakes is a 12.8-mile out-and-back in Mokelumne Wilderness near Kirkwood, CA. The route passes Frog Lake and Lost Lake (west) before reaching Lost Lake (east) at the turnaround, 6.3 miles in. It climbs 2,305 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lost Lake (east)–Lost Lake (west), 4 lakes
12.8 mi · ▲ 2,305 ft · 5 hr 25 min
Elevation 8,277–9,059 ft
Out & Back · Mokelumne Wilderness
Trailhead: Pacific Crest Trail · 38.69484, -119.98928
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 75°F / low 52° · precip 0% · wind 11 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:10 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Pacific Crest Trail, heading SW.
- 1.1 miPass Frog Lake.
- 1.1 miBear left, heading E.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Forestdale Road, heading NE.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Forestdale Road, heading E.
- 1.3 miPass Lost Lake (west).
- 100 ftTurn left onto Lost Lakes Road, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftReach Lost Lake (east), then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 250 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Forestdale Road, heading E.
- 1.3 miContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftBear right onto Forestdale Road, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading NW.
- 1.4 miSharp left, heading E.
- 2.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 7:47 PM for the 8:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:28 PM — 11 min before dark.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Pacific Crest Trail Trailhead
- Pacific Crest Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 371 ft
- Winnemucca Lake–Frog Lake, 3 lakes 4.6 mi · ▲ 504 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 5.9 mi · ▲ 791 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 5.9 mi · ▲ 791 ft
- Stevens Peak via Pacific Crest Trail 6.5 mi · ▲ 2,665 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 7.4 mi · ▲ 819 ft
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