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

Martis Valley Trail

6.2 mi · ▲ 465 ft · 2 hr 18 min

Martis Valley Trail is a 6.2-mile out-and-back in Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area near Polaris, CA. It climbs 465 ft. It scores 11/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi5,814 – 6,070 ft6.4 mi

Getting there

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

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Martis Valley Trail

6.2 mi · ▲ 465 ft · 2 hr 18 min

Elevation 5,813–6,069 ft

Out & Back · Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area

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 miContinue straight onto Matt's Trail, heading NE.
  5. 0.3 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
  6. 1.5 miTurn right onto Sawmill Road, heading S.
  7. 0.7 miTurn right onto Martis Valley Trail, heading S.
  8. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/martis-creek-lake-out-back-7-km-3498

Trail surface

53% dirt47% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:02 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~71 min). Leave by 5:31 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:29 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Martis Valley Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Polaris, California