AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Shirley Lake–Olympic Valley-Western States Connector, 5 sights

13.4 mi · ▲ 3,142 ft · 6 hr 2 min

Shirley Lake–Olympic Valley-Western States Connector, 5 sights is a 13.4-mile out-and-back near Alpine Meadows, CA. The route reaches Shirley Lake at the turnaround, 6.6 miles in. It climbs 3,142 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 65/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,119 – 8,134 ft · steepest grade: 19%14.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Olympic Valley Bike Trail 39.20409, -120.20023
Nearest town Alpine Meadows, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Shirley Lake–Olympic Valley-Western States Connector, 5 sights

13.4 mi · ▲ 3,142 ft · 6 hr 2 min

Elevation 6,118–8,133 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Olympic Valley Bike Trail · 39.20409, -120.20023

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 86°F / low 50° · precip 0% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:12 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 250 ftBear left onto Olympic Valley Bike Trail, heading W.
  3. 0.1 miSharp left onto Olympic Valley-Western States Connector, heading SE.
  4. 0.7 miTurn right onto Western States Trail, heading SW.
  5. 1.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  6. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  7. 0.6 miBear left onto World Cup Trail, heading W.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Western States Trail, heading W.
  9. 1.9 miTurn left, heading NW.
  10. 200 ftBear right, heading W.
  11. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  12. 100 ftBear left onto Thunder Mountain Trail, heading W.
  13. 0.6 miSharp left, heading N.
  14. 500 ftBear left, heading E.
  15. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  16. 350 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 0.1 miSharp right, heading NW.
  18. 450 ftBear right onto Solitude Trail, heading NW.
  19. 0.8 miTurn right, heading NE.
  20. 200 ftContinue straight onto Shirley Canyon Trail, heading NE.
  21. 350 ftReach Shirley Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left onto Solitude Trail, heading N.
  23. 0.8 miBear left, heading SE.
  24. 450 ftSharp left, heading S.
  25. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  26. 350 ftBear right, heading SE.
  27. 0.1 miBear right onto Thunder Mountain Trail, heading SW.
  28. 450 ftBear left, heading S.
  29. 0.3 miBear right, heading SE.
  30. 0.4 miBear right, heading SW.
  31. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  32. 50 ftBear left, heading W.
  33. 200 ftTurn right onto Western States Trail, heading W.
  34. 1.9 miBear left onto World Cup Trail, heading E.
  35. 50 ftBear right onto Western States Trail, heading E.
  36. 0.4 miBear left, heading S.
  37. 450 ftBear right, heading S.
  38. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  39. 1.3 miTurn left onto Olympic Valley-Western States Connector, heading E.
  40. 0.7 miSharp right onto Olympic Valley Bike Trail, heading NE.
  41. 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
  42. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/shirley-lake-shirley-lake-out-back-22-km-4cb8

Trail surface

70% dirt2% paved28% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 86°F50°
Precip0%Wind9 mphUV8Humidity22%
Hourly temperature
90°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:12 PM
Tue 86°61°
Wed 85°58°
Thu 88°58°
Fri 88°59°
Sat 89°59°
Sun 89°57°

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Olympic Valley Bike Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Alpine Meadows, California