Upper Lola Montez Lake–Lily Pond, 5 sights

11.3 mi · ▲ 1,176 ft · 4 hr 21 min

Upper Lola Montez Lake–Lily Pond, 5 sights is an 11.3-mile out-and-back near Kingvale, CA. The route passes Lily Pond before reaching Upper Lola Montez Lake at the turnaround, 5.7 miles in. It climbs 1,176 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi6,985 – 7,586 ft11.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lower Lola Montez Trail 39.34935, -120.40861
Nearest town Kingvale, CA

Directions

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Upper Lola Montez Lake–Lily Pond, 5 sights

11.3 mi · ▲ 1,176 ft · 4 hr 21 min

Elevation 6,984–7,586 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Lower Lola Montez Trail · 39.34935, -120.40861

Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 80°F / low 54° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 6:04 AM · sunset 8:13 PM

  1. Start on Lower Lola Montez Trail, heading NW.
  2. 0.9 miSharp right onto Hole in the Ground, heading NW.
  3. 1.9 miSharp left, heading N.
  4. 1.7 miPass Lily Pond.
  5. 250 ftContinue straight onto Rattlesnake Road, heading W.
  6. 0.4 miBear left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  8. 0.8 miReach Upper Lola Montez Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 0.9 miBear left, heading NE.
  10. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  11. 2.1 miSharp right onto Hole in the Ground, heading S.
  12. 1.9 miSharp left onto Lower Lola Montez Trail, heading S.
  13. 0.7 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

100% dirt

Weather

ClearTemperature 80°F54°
Precip0%Wind7 mphUV8Humidity23%
Hourly temperature
80°50°
Sunrise 6:04 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:13 PM
Tue 81°61°
Wed 81°55°
Thu 86°55°
Fri 87°56°
Sat 87°57°
Sun 85°55°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 4.5 mi in (~133 min). Leave by 5:40 PM for the 8:13 PM sunset. Back at your car by 10:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

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