AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Johnson Canyon

Summit Lake–Donner Lake Rim Trail, 3 sights

4.9 mi · ▲ 1,075 ft · 2 hr 10 min

Summit Lake–Donner Lake Rim Trail, 3 sights is a 4.9-mile out-and-back in Johnson Canyon near Donner Lake Village, CA. The route reaches Summit Lake at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It climbs 1,075 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 16/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi6,405 – 7,438 ft · steepest grade: 17%5.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Wendin Way Access Trail 39.33343, -120.29061
Nearest town Donner Lake Village, CA
Google Maps Apple Maps

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Summit Lake–Donner Lake Rim Trail, 3 sights

4.9 mi · ▲ 1,075 ft · 2 hr 10 min

Elevation 6,403–7,437 ft

Out & Back · Johnson Canyon

Trailhead: Wendin Way Access Trail · 39.33343, -120.29061

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 85°F / low 51° · precip 0% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto Summit Lake Road, heading N.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading N.
  4. 0.9 miContinue straight onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.4 miTurn right, heading W.
  6. 50 ftBear right onto Summit Lake Road, heading SW.
  7. 0.7 miBear left, heading W.
  8. 0.4 miReach Summit Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  10. 0.7 miBear left, heading SE.
  11. 50 ftTurn left onto Donner Lake Rim Trail, heading SE.
  12. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Summit Lake Road, heading N.
  13. 0.8 miBear right, heading SE.
  14. 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  15. 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/summit-lake-summit-lake-out-back-4-sights-8-km

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 85°F51°
Precip0%Wind9 mphUV8Humidity18%
Hourly temperature
85°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 85°61°
Wed 85°56°
Thu 88°56°
Fri 88°56°
Sat 89°57°
Sun 89°54°

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Wendin Way Access Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Donner Lake Village, California