AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Meadow Trail & Thistle Trail via Skyway Trail

5.1 mi · ▲ 1,789 ft · 2 hr 36 min

Meadow Trail & Thistle Trail via Skyway Trail is a 5.1-mile out-and-back near Evergreen, CA. It climbs 1,789 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,053 – 2,021 ft · steepest grade: 30%5.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Garden Steps 37.28896, -121.73055
Nearest town Evergreen, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Meadow Trail & Thistle Trail via Skyway Trail

5.1 mi · ▲ 1,789 ft · 2 hr 36 min

Elevation 1,054–2,021 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Garden Steps · 37.28896, -121.73055

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 6:15 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Garden Steps, heading E.
  2. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Tower Trail, heading NE.
  3. 0.7 miTurn right onto Meadow Trail, heading N.
  4. 0.5 miSharp left onto Thistle Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miBear right onto Willy's Trail, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftBear left onto Thistle Trail, heading SW.
  7. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Meadow Trail, heading NW.
  8. 450 ftReach Meadow Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 450 ftContinue straight onto Thistle Trail, heading W.
  10. 0.1 miBear right onto Willy's Trail, heading E.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Thistle Trail, heading E.
  12. 0.2 miSharp right onto Meadow Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.5 miTurn left onto Tower Trail, heading NE.
  14. 0.7 miContinue straight onto Skyway Trail, heading SW.
  15. 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/meadow-trail-thistle-trail-out-back

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:15 AMSunset 8:13 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:53 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 8:13 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:41 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Garden Steps Trailhead

Hikes near Evergreen, California