The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 lakes
15 mi · ▲ 2,964 ft · 6 hr 29 min
The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 lakes is a 15-mile out-and-back in Mokelumne Wilderness near Kirkwood, CA. The route passes Frog Lake and Lost Lake (west) before reaching The Nipple at the turnaround, 7.5 miles in. It climbs 2,964 ft, with sections as steep as 25% grade. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 lakes
15 mi · ▲ 2,964 ft · 6 hr 29 min
Elevation 8,277–9,339 ft
Out & Back · Mokelumne Wilderness
Trailhead: Pacific Crest Trail · 38.69484, -119.98928
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:00 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Pacific Crest Trail, heading SW.
- 1.1 miPass Frog Lake.
- 1.1 miBear left, heading E.
- 1.4 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp right onto Forestdale Road, heading NE.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Forestdale Road, heading E.
- 1.3 miPass Lost Lake (west).
- 150 ftBear right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
- 1.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.3 miReach The Nipple, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.6 miBear left onto Forestdale Road, heading NW.
- 1.3 miContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading N.
- 100 ftBear right onto Forestdale Road, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading N.
- 1.4 miSharp left, heading E.
- 2.1 miArrive 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 0.3 mi in (~7 min). Leave by 6:33 PM for the 7:00 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:24 PM — 3 min before dark.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Pacific Crest Trail Trailhead
- Round Lake–Dardanelles Lake, 5 sights 14.3 mi · ▲ 1,722 ft
- Pacific Crest Trail 7.4 mi · ▲ 819 ft
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- Pacific Crest Trail 5.9 mi · ▲ 791 ft
- Strawberry Pass–Buck Pasture Trail, 5 sights 16.1 mi · ▲ 3,580 ft
- Showers Lake & Showers Lake Trail via Pacific Crest Trail 13.6 mi · ▲ 2,656 ft
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