AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Red Lake Wildlife Area

The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 summits

15.1 mi · ▲ 2,667 ft · 6 hr 22 min

The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 summits is a 15.1-mile out-and-back in Red Lake Wildlife Area near Shay Creek Summer Home Area, CA. The route passes Lost Lake (west) before reaching The Nipple at the turnaround, 7.6 miles in. It climbs 2,667 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade. It scores 86/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi7,517 – 9,338 ft · steepest grade: 23%15.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lower Charity Road 38.67445, -119.91914
Nearest town Shay Creek Summer Home Area, CA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

The Nipple–Lost Lake (west), 3 summits

15.1 mi · ▲ 2,667 ft · 6 hr 22 min

Elevation 7,516–9,339 ft

Out & Back · Red Lake Wildlife Area

Trailhead: Lower Charity Road · 38.67445, -119.91914

Weather Aug 3: Clear, high 79°F / low 52° · precip 0% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:10 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lower Charity Road, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  3. 0.5 miBear left, heading W.
  4. 50 ftBear left onto Forestdale Creek Trail, heading SW.
  5. 3.5 miSharp right onto Forestdale Road, heading SE.
  6. 0.4 miBear right, heading S.
  7. 0.2 miBear left onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
  8. 100 ftContinue straight onto Forestdale Road, heading E.
  9. 1.3 miPass Lost Lake (west).
  10. 150 ftBear right onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading E.
  11. 1.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  12. 0.3 miReach The Nipple, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  13. 1.6 miBear left onto Forestdale Road, heading NW.
  14. 1.3 miContinue straight onto Pacific Crest Trail, heading N.
  15. 100 ftBear right onto Forestdale Road, heading N.
  16. 0.1 miBear right, heading NE.
  17. 0.5 miSharp left, heading W.
  18. 250 ftContinue straight onto Forestdale Creek Trail, heading N.
  19. 3.4 miBear right, heading N.
  20. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  21. 0.5 miTurn left onto Lower Charity Road, heading SE.
  22. 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/the-nipple-lost-lake-west-out-back-3-lakes-24-km

Trail surface

43% dirt57% unspecified

Weather

ClearTemperature 79°F52°
Precip0%Wind9 mphUV9Humidity24%
Hourly temperature
80°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:10 PM
Tue 81°56°
Wed 81°57°
Thu 85°57°
Fri 85°58°
Sat 85°59°
Sun 85°57°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 7.0 mi in (~227 min). Leave by 4:03 PM for the 8:10 PM sunset. Back at your car by 11:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Lower Charity Road Trailhead

Hikes near Shay Creek Summer Home Area, California