Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights
12.5 mi · ▲ 1,321 ft · 4 hr 50 min
Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights is a 12.5-mile out-and-back near Lake Alpine, CA. The route passes Union Reservoir, Elephant Rock Lake, Rock Lake and Summit Lake. It climbs 1,321 ft, with sections as steep as 26% grade. It scores 82/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Union Reservoir–Rock Lake, 8 sights
12.5 mi · ▲ 1,321 ft · 4 hr 50 min
Elevation 6,861–7,434 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Lakeshore Trail · 38.42862, -119.99165
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:02 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Lakeshore Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Union Reservoir.
- 1.3 miPass Elephant Rock Lake.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 100 ftBear right onto Union Rock Lake Trail, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Elephant Rock Trail, heading NW.
- 3 miSharp right onto Highland Creek Trail, heading SE.
- 3.5 miPass Rock Lake.
- 150 ftBear right onto Elephant Rock Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Highland Creek Trail, heading S.
- 1.2 miSharp right onto Bull Run Lake Trail, heading N.
- 0.9 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.3 miPass Summit Lake.
- 150 ftBear right onto Forest Route 7N01, heading NW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Lakeshore Trail, heading NW.
- 1.3 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 5.0 mi in (~146 min). Leave by 4:15 PM for the 7:02 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:27 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Lakeshore Trail Trailhead
- Union Reservoir–Elephant Rock Lake, 3 lakes 3.1 mi · ▲ 227 ft
- Inspiration Point–Lake Alpine, 8 sights 13.5 mi · ▲ 1,974 ft
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