Pacific Crest Trail
11.3 mi · ▲ 2,127 ft · 4 hr 50 min
Pacific Crest Trail is an 11.3-mile out-and-back in Granite Chief Wilderness near Alpine Meadows, CA. It climbs 2,127 ft, with sections as steep as 34% grade. It scores 87/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pacific Crest Trail
11.3 mi · ▲ 2,127 ft · 4 hr 50 min
Elevation 6,866–8,424 ft
Out & Back · Granite Chief Wilderness
Trailhead: 39.16630, -120.23674
Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 82°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:12 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 250 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading E.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.6 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading S.
- 3.5 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 3.5 miTurn right, heading N.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading NE.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.3 mi in (~104 min). Leave by 6:08 PM for the 8:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Estelle Lake 2 mi · ▲ 1,004 ft
- Scott Peak & Scott Peak Trail 4.3 mi · ▲ 1,371 ft
- Ward Peak 4.4 mi · ▲ 1,751 ft
- Ward Peak 5 mi · ▲ 1,721 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,284 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 7.1 mi · ▲ 1,288 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Alpine Meadows, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California