Pacific Crest Trail
15.2 mi · ▲ 2,905 ft · 6 hr 31 min
Pacific Crest Trail is a 15.2-mile out-and-back in Granite Chief Wilderness near Alpine Meadows, CA. It climbs 2,905 ft, with sections as steep as 31% grade. It scores 89/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pacific Crest Trail
15.2 mi · ▲ 2,905 ft · 6 hr 31 min
Elevation 6,970–8,509 ft
Out & Back · Granite Chief Wilderness
Trailhead: 39.14769, -120.21580
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:01 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
- 200 ftBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 0.3 miSharp left, heading NW.
- 0.6 miSharp left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 300 ftTurn left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading S.
- 3.5 miTurn left onto Tahoe Rim Trail, heading S.
- 1.3 miReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 1.3 miTurn right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading W.
- 3.5 miTurn right, heading N.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading NE.
- 0.6 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading E.
- 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 3.1 mi in (~121 min). Leave by 4:40 PM for the 7:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Other ways to reach this destination
- 1.9 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 1.9 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 1.9 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 2.1 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 2.3 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 2.6 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 2.8 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
- 2.9 mi · out & back · via Pacific Crest Trail
More from this trailhead
- Bear Creek Trail 11.3 mi · ▲ 1,446 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 279 ft
- Five Lakes Creek Trail & Whiskey Creek Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 15.8 mi · ▲ 3,671 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 4.6 mi · ▲ 592 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 3.4 mi · ▲ 279 ft
- Tahoe Rim Trail 4.6 mi · ▲ 592 ft
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